ashwagandha in pregnancy

[Guest guest]

From Dr. Shrestha:

Hi didi,

Ashwagandha is not harmful to take during pregnancy in need. But the dosage

must be monitored. If it is given with Shatavari it gives better result. There

are thousand of such uses hapened in Nepal and in India MAY BE MORE THAN MILLION

USED this specially in Bhu (??dropped word?)

 

sHATAVARI AnD aSHWAGANDHA IS GIVEN FOR habitual and threatened abortion. So it

will be better to know the information in detail. It seems the phobia is with

testestorone part. If it is taken in haeavy amount it creats depression and gas,

bloating in stomach. So I would like to know the detail. There is nothing to

worry.

Love Bahini

 

From Dr. Bhate:

Dear Ysha

Generally ashwagandha is not given to pregnant lady in the form of capsules. It

is difficult to say whether the suffering of the baby was due to circulating

levels of withanoloides in mother during pregnancy. When we seek answers to

ayurvedic questions in terms of modern medicine, this type of difficulties are

always encountered.

 

If I were to offer aswagandha to a pregnant lady because she is suffering from

anxiety, depression, insomnia, I would offer it as aswagandha ghrutam (decocted

in ghee), in which form it is recommended in ancient texts too. But then in old

times, pregnant were so well taken care, that they never had any anxiety,

depression, insomnia. These maladies are products of industrialized

materialistic cultures.

 

Offering most herbs in the form of capsules is a western avatar of Ayurveda, how

far it suits west, remains to be noted in the form of general experience

communicated from one generation to next, not in the form of randomized trials,

publications etc. Publications often are biased, have purpose other than

communicating experiences for the benefit of the society.

 

Himalaya herbals is walking in the footsteps of western modern pharma, creating

patent medicines etc. Traditional pharmacies which were existing more than a

century are also turning in that direction. The vaidyas who believe in ethics do

not pay any attention to such medicines. The rich tradition of self made

medicines and home remedies are adequate.

 

Warm regards

Dr Bhate

 

> A recent concern about pregnancy use of ashwagandha stimulated some research

on any possible warnings for it's use in that time.

[Guest guest]

Is Ashwaganda ok postpartum? My Ayurvedic intuit recc'd it to me for weight loss

and I put a teaspoon in tea the other night but had the runs the next day. It

could've been a different herb though...I'm taking one called Jeevan that I

think may have done it. I had a mild reaction from the Jeevan today but the day

after the Ashwaganda it was like taking a major laxitive! Thanks for any

insight! I want to get these herbs right! Blessings, Nitya

 

ayurveda , " ayurdoula " <AyurDoulas wrote:

>

> From Dr. Shrestha:

> Hi didi,

> Ashwagandha is not harmful to take during pregnancy in need. But the dosage

must be monitored. If it is given with Shatavari it gives better result. There

are thousand of such uses hapened in Nepal and in India MAY BE MORE THAN MILLION

USED this specially in Bhu (??dropped word?)

>

> sHATAVARI AnD aSHWAGANDHA IS GIVEN FOR habitual and threatened abortion. So

it will be better to know the information in detail. It seems the phobia is with

testestorone part. If it is taken in haeavy amount it creats depression and gas,

bloating in stomach. So I would like to know the detail. There is nothing to

worry.

> Love Bahini

>

> From Dr. Bhate:

> Dear Ysha

> Generally ashwagandha is not given to pregnant lady in the form of capsules.

It is difficult to say whether the suffering of the baby was due to circulating

levels of withanoloides in mother during pregnancy. When we seek answers to

ayurvedic questions in terms of modern medicine, this type of difficulties are

always encountered.

>

> If I were to offer aswagandha to a pregnant lady because she is suffering from

anxiety, depression, insomnia, I would offer it as aswagandha ghrutam (decocted

in ghee), in which form it is recommended in ancient texts too. But then in old

times, pregnant were so well taken care, that they never had any anxiety,

depression, insomnia. These maladies are products of industrialized

materialistic cultures.

>

> Offering most herbs in the form of capsules is a western avatar of Ayurveda,

how far it suits west, remains to be noted in the form of general experience

communicated from one generation to next, not in the form of randomized trials,

publications etc. Publications often are biased, have purpose other than

communicating experiences for the benefit of the society.

>

> Himalaya herbals is walking in the footsteps of western modern pharma,

creating patent medicines etc. Traditional pharmacies which were existing more

than a century are also turning in that direction. The vaidyas who believe in

ethics do not pay any attention to such medicines. The rich tradition of self

made medicines and home remedies are adequate.

>

> Warm regards

> Dr Bhate

>

> > A recent concern about pregnancy use of ashwagandha stimulated some research

on any possible warnings for it's use in that time.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Nitya -

 

1 - yes, it is wonderful postpartum in many situations. It is also supportive

for lactation, not as strongly as shatavari though more specific if say, right

breast is undersupplied, and for major vata rasanaya effect, strength, calm,

lower back pain, and as Dr. Douillard recommends it now, for immune support

taken 1/2/1/2 with turmeric in a tea.

 

2. I have not heard of its use for weight loss but I know ERic's intuitive

approach with ayurveda may be very specific for you. If it works that way, it

is also likely to be gentle, keeping you from loosing too fast and exacerbating

vata the way most weight loss programs work. Postpartum the first 6-8 weeks I

do my best not to let my clients think about weight loss except by

receiving/doing the daily abhyanga, and getting ENOUGH fats, agni supportive

herbs and dietary balance to simply wake up the metabolism again after its

exhaustion from labor and delivery.

 

3. LIke Drs Shrestha and Bhate both talked about in pregnancy, and at most any

time an herb is usually best combined with others in a balancing formula rather

than taken alone, and works best in tea type hydrated powder, or sweet linctus

or lipid preparation, or tablet rather than capsules.

 

4. As far as dosage, a teaspoon at a time seems a lot, I'd keep it to 1/2 or

less.

 

5. Ashw. is not a laxative herb that I know of. I do not know Jeevan, and it

sounds like a formula rather than a single herb? Shatavari does have some mild

laxative action, so does sesame, and many other things.

 

Ashwagandha IS warming, and I suppose it is possible the interaction with

Jeevan, or even the warming/energy strengthening effect in that quantity may

have done some of that though I seriously doubt it. The body will sometimes go

into purgation to deal with excess.

 

I have wondered in the past and forgotten to ask, since it is in the nightshade

family, is it possible some people have a reaction to it?

 

Here is what I have on it, mostly from Dr. Sarasvati Burhman's class on

Ayurvedic herbals:

 

HERB NAMES ASHWAGANDHA – Winter Cherry

Withania somnifera

 

PROPERTIES: Increases Ojas. P, K & ama in excess

Decreases V, can reduce K

 

Tastes: Sweet, (bitter, astringent, heavy), warm initially

 

ACTIONS - Karma:

Root chakra and muscles (Mamsa dhatu). Vata Rasayana – Rejuvenative, nutritive

tonic, said to give strength & stamina of a horse; gives energy, strength and

vigor, mental clarity and groundedness.

 

Beneficial to all three doshas, per Dr. Mary Jo Cravatta.

 

Inhibits ageing and catalyses tissue regeneration in the body. Gently warming.

Gives deep dreamless sleep, tonic for male reproductive system, elderly,

pregnant and postpartum including lactation, children; stabilizes and relaxes

nerves allowing them to transmit again.

 

INDICATIONS:

Overwork, disconnected emotions, lack of emotional nurturance, poor memory,

paralysis, anemia, nervous exhaustion, chronic fatigue, impotence, infertility,

hypothyroidism, debility, emaciation of tissues, MS, depletion of muscle,

marrow, semen, nervous exhaustion, poor sleep, pregnancy, postpartum. Wound

up/nervous, emptiness***. Herb of choice for MS if aama is cared for

(constipated pittas). Rejuvenative to male reproductive; low libido. Results

reported with arthritis also. With shatavari for threatened miscarriage.

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

AAMA, kapha provocation, give with digestant herbs.

 

DOSAGE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Max 250mg – 1 g; often taken with milk or medicinal wine (ashwagandha rishtam),

cinnamon or pippali, potentized by almond milk as anupana to mamsa dhatu

 

OTHER REFERENCES:

Rasayana

 

ETHNOBOTANY:

Root of this fruit bearing plant; nightshade family plant. Grows as shrub

mostly in western India. Known as the Indian Ginseng, but more beneficial to

all doshas, less heating.

 

Love and Light -

Ysha

 

> Is Ashwaganda ok postpartum? My Ayurvedic intuit recc'd it to me for weight

loss and I put a teaspoon in tea the other night but had the runs the next day.

It could've been a different herb though...I'm taking one called Jeevan that I

think may have done it. I had a mild reaction from the Jeevan today but the day

after the Ashwaganda it was like taking a major laxitive! Thanks for any

insight! I want to get these herbs right! Blessings, Nitya

[Guest guest]

Ysha- Thankyou!!! You are so helpful! This sounds great with almond milk. I keep

od'ing on herbs accidentally...I took two triphala pills last night with one

other herbal pill that Eric told me to take and also got the runs again. Poor

baby doesn't like it...seems to mess with her digestion too and cause gas. I

will have to research all this more. I saw a Vaidya today and she said keep

taking everything even if I have these reactions but this doesn't seem

right...my body and baby are soooo sensitive right now and I can't throw the

balance by getting too dry etc. I am taking lots of oils in my diet and will do

more omegas etc. I really appreciate all your wise input! With love, Nitya

 

ayurveda , " ayurdoula " <AyurDoulas wrote:

>

> Hi Nitya -

>

> 1 - yes, it is wonderful postpartum in many situations. It is also supportive

for lactation, not as strongly as shatavari though more specific if say, right

breast is undersupplied, and for major vata rasanaya effect, strength, calm,

lower back pain, and as Dr. Douillard recommends it now, for immune support

taken 1/2/1/2 with turmeric in a tea.

>

> 2. I have not heard of its use for weight loss but I know ERic's intuitive

approach with ayurveda may be very specific for you. If it works that way, it

is also likely to be gentle, keeping you from loosing too fast and exacerbating

vata the way most weight loss programs work. Postpartum the first 6-8 weeks I

do my best not to let my clients think about weight loss except by

receiving/doing the daily abhyanga, and getting ENOUGH fats, agni supportive

herbs and dietary balance to simply wake up the metabolism again after its

exhaustion from labor and delivery.

>

> 3. LIke Drs Shrestha and Bhate both talked about in pregnancy, and at most

any time an herb is usually best combined with others in a balancing formula

rather than taken alone, and works best in tea type hydrated powder, or sweet

linctus or lipid preparation, or tablet rather than capsules.

>

> 4. As far as dosage, a teaspoon at a time seems a lot, I'd keep it to 1/2 or

less.

>

> 5. Ashw. is not a laxative herb that I know of. I do not know Jeevan, and it

sounds like a formula rather than a single herb? Shatavari does have some mild

laxative action, so does sesame, and many other things.

>

> Ashwagandha IS warming, and I suppose it is possible the interaction with

Jeevan, or even the warming/energy strengthening effect in that quantity may

have done some of that though I seriously doubt it. The body will sometimes go

into purgation to deal with excess.

>

> I have wondered in the past and forgotten to ask, since it is in the

nightshade family, is it possible some people have a reaction to it?

>

> Here is what I have on it, mostly from Dr. Sarasvati Burhman's class on

Ayurvedic herbals:

>

> HERB NAMES ASHWAGANDHA – Winter Cherry

> Withania somnifera

>

> PROPERTIES: Increases Ojas. P, K & ama in excess

> Decreases V, can reduce K

>

> Tastes: Sweet, (bitter, astringent, heavy), warm initially

>

> ACTIONS - Karma:

> Root chakra and muscles (Mamsa dhatu). Vata Rasayana – Rejuvenative,

nutritive tonic, said to give strength & stamina of a horse; gives energy,

strength and vigor, mental clarity and groundedness.

>

> Beneficial to all three doshas, per Dr. Mary Jo Cravatta.

>

> Inhibits ageing and catalyses tissue regeneration in the body. Gently

warming. Gives deep dreamless sleep, tonic for male reproductive system,

elderly, pregnant and postpartum including lactation, children; stabilizes and

relaxes nerves allowing them to transmit again.

>

> INDICATIONS:

> Overwork, disconnected emotions, lack of emotional nurturance, poor memory,

paralysis, anemia, nervous exhaustion, chronic fatigue, impotence, infertility,

hypothyroidism, debility, emaciation of tissues, MS, depletion of muscle,

marrow, semen, nervous exhaustion, poor sleep, pregnancy, postpartum. Wound

up/nervous, emptiness***. Herb of choice for MS if aama is cared for

(constipated pittas). Rejuvenative to male reproductive; low libido. Results

reported with arthritis also. With shatavari for threatened miscarriage.

>

> CONTRAINDICATIONS:

> AAMA, kapha provocation, give with digestant herbs.

>

> DOSAGE RECOMMENDATIONS:

> Max 250mg – 1 g; often taken with milk or medicinal wine (ashwagandha

rishtam), cinnamon or pippali, potentized by almond milk as anupana to mamsa

dhatu

>

> OTHER REFERENCES:

> Rasayana

>

> ETHNOBOTANY:

> Root of this fruit bearing plant; nightshade family plant. Grows as shrub

mostly in western India. Known as the Indian Ginseng, but more beneficial to

all doshas, less heating.

>

> Love and Light -

> Ysha

>

> > Is Ashwaganda ok postpartum? My Ayurvedic intuit recc'd it to me for weight

loss and I put a teaspoon in tea the other night but had the runs the next day.

It could've been a different herb though...I'm taking one called Jeevan that I

think may have done it. I had a mild reaction from the Jeevan today but the day

after the Ashwaganda it was like taking a major laxitive! Thanks for any

insight! I want to get these herbs right! Blessings, Nitya

>