Ashwagandha for Height: Will Ashwagandha help you grow taller?

Ashwagandha has been making rounds in the ayurvedic world for quite some time now, but can it help increase your height? 

Read on to find out more!

It’s a common myth that once you reach puberty, you stop growing, but what if we told you that there were ways to either continue growing for a few more years or help increase your height to its max by the time you’re done growing.

Yes, you read that right! Ashwagandha can help you induce good vertical growth. Although it can’t fuel your growth, it can stimulate it. Below, you will find how to use Ashwagandha for height.

Ashwagandha, a brief

Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha, is an ancient herb grown in some parts of India and North Africa. Also known as “Indian Ginseng” or “Indian Winter Cherry,” this herb has plenty of health benefits.

Although this ancient herb has been around since the beginning of time, it has started gaining popularity in recent times due to the west adapting to Southeast Asian practices, in this context, medicinal practices. 

This adaptogenic herb is found to help treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s. It helps enhance the function of the brain, nervous system, reproductive system and can improve memory [1].

How can Ashwagandha Increase Height?

How can Ashwagandha Increase Height?

Ashwagandha benefits is a topic we all have come across and read enough about, but the real question that has stayed on our mind is whether ashwagandha can increase your height or not. To answer that question, we first need to talk about the factors that play a role in our growth, in this context, height.

Factors that affect your height

The Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

The pituitary gland is responsible for the secretion of the HGH. It stimulates the cartilage production between your limb bones. These cartilages then develop into bones and contribute to your height. This process is known as ossification [2].

Men ideally grow up until the age of 25, and women grow until the age of 21. However, you might still grow after the ages mentioned above and at times even after the process of ossification ends.

Muscle and Strength Training

The muscles support the bones and help give our body shape and structural support to some extent. Strengthening these muscles and exercising them is essential in the development of your height. However, weight training without proper guidance can be counterproductive. With that said, maintaining a good diet, exercising, and strengthening your muscles are all factors that may affect your growth.

Antioxidants that can prevent oxidative stress

Oxidative stress can affect your bones’ calcification, which can, in turn, affect your vertical growth. Consuming the right amount of antioxidants can help prevent oxidative stress and improve the calcification of your bones [3].

Getting enough sleep

Sleep is essential for an overall healthy lifestyle, but did you know that getting enough sleep can also help you improve your vertical form. When you sit with your back hunched throughout the day, your vertebrae tend to temporarily fuse and cause stiffness. At night when you lay down to sleep, you will be giving your body the time to stretch and ensure that your posture is fixed.

Another reason why sleep is essential is that your growth hormone is released when you’re asleep. Irregular sleep cycles can affect the release of this hormone, and it might get suppressed. 

Now that we know what factors play into our vertical growth let’s see how ashwagandha can help with height.

How Ashwagandha Boost These Factors

Ashwagandha for hormones

As mentioned, the HGH plays an essential role in increasing your height; but it is vital to remember that another component named Gamma Amino-Butyric Acid (GABA) also actively participates in your growth.

The GABA is a calming neurotransmitter that increases the HGH production. Ashwagandha root extract is known to produce GABA, and when this component reaches the brain, more HGH is produced, and more growth is visible.

Ashwagandha for muscle and strength

Ashwagandha supplements can help improve your muscle strength and your muscle mass. Once the muscles around the bones are strengthened, the bones naturally start developing and growing with a more grounded foundation. Although the following study mentions muscle mass development in men through ashwagandha, these supplements might also help women and children [4].

Ashwagandha for oxidative stress and bone density

Antioxidants are known to decrease the oxidative stress that can affect your bones’ calcification and bone density. Ashwagandha is a powerful antioxidant and may help improve the calcification of your bones [5]. This herb can also increase the expression of genes responsible for bone mineralization and may help improve bone calcification [6].

Ashwagandha for sleep

Ashwagandha is known for its calming properties. It can help with symptoms of anxiety and unrest. Since ashwagandha is an adaptogen, consuming it before bedtime can help induce a peaceful sleep that may help resent your body.

How long does ashwagandha take to increase height?

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, ashwagandha does not act as the fuel for your height growth; it acts as a stimulator. Keeping that in mind, pairing this herb with the right nutrients, like those found in milk and honey, at the right time can help increase your height. 

Ideally, it takes around two weeks for the extract of these roots to show any effects; however, your lifestyle and diet plan play an essential role in exacting a time frame within which this herb shows you positive results.

How to consume ashwagandha for height?

The ashwagandha root is available in various forms. It’s available in the form of supplements, powders, and tinctures. Ashwagandha powder is ideally mixed with milk and honey before consumption; you could also get creative and make ashwagandha balls or ashwagandha tea with it.

Ashwagandha supplements are taken according to your prescription or like any other supplements or pills. Ashwagandha tincture is often put directly into your mouth, under the tongue. Regardless of the form that you consume this herb in, the benefits it offers always remain the same.

If you’re wondering when the right time to consume ashwagandha is, head over to our article “When Should you take Ashwagandha?”. It’ll give you a detailed explanation of when and why you should take it at said time.

Side effects of consuming ashwagandha for height

Since ashwagandha is a natural remedy that can help stimulate height growth, the chances of it causing any harmful side effects are minimal. In small amounts and doses, it may not cause any side effects whatsoever. However, due to the lack of long-term studies, there is no proof of any side effects caused due to small or medium doses.

Consuming large amounts of this herb can cause

  • Digestive issues
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Ensure to consult a doctor before consuming ashwagandha if you experience conditions like low blood sugar or any other autoimmune diseases. Avoid eating ashwagandha if you are pregnant or lactating [7].

FAQs

Q: Can I take ashwagandha daily?

A: If consumed in the correct dosages, yes, you can take ashwagandha daily. However, we would advise you to consult a doctor or health professional and follow their guidelines.

Q: Who should not use ashwagandha?

A: If you have certain medical conditions like diabetes, high or low blood pressure, stomach ulcers, autoimmune diseases, or thyroid disorders, try and avoid this herb, or consult a professional before taking it.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid consuming ashwagandha. If you do not fall under any of these categories, it is safe to say that you can consume ashwagandha.

Q: Does ashwagandha work immediately?

A: Like every other medication, ashwagandha also takes a while to show results.

Ideally, it takes around two weeks for you to notice any positive changes.

Q: Is ashwagandha bad for kidneys?

A: Ashwagandha is a relatively safe herb to consume; however, due to its immunostimulant properties, it could cause complications if you are receiving a kidney transplant. Always consult a doctor before taking any supplements; especially if you are undergoing any form of surgery or treatment.

Q: Does ashwagandha affect blood pressure?

A: Yes, ashwagandha can affect your blood pressure levels. If you experience high BP, it can lower your BP levels. It can also interfere with medications you might take for high blood pressure, so ensure to consult a doctor before consuming it.

Wrapping Up

Ashwagandha is a herb that can offer various benefits, and in this article, we spoke about how it can help stimulate your height growth. Growth is something we can not put a number to. Having it increase or decrease to our liking is almost impossible, but we can ensure that we grow to our full potential without any hindrance from our diet or other factors.

We discussed certain factors that affect our vertical growth and how ashwagandha can help improve it. If you have tried this ancient herb and have experienced its benefits, do let us know in the comments below!

References 

  1. Singh, Narendra et al. “An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda.” African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM vol. 8,5 Suppl (2011): 208-13.
  2. Kato, Yuzuru et al. “Regulation of human growth hormone secretion and its disorders.” Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) vol. 41,1 (2002): 7-13.
  3. Tan, Bee Ling et al. “Antioxidant and Oxidative Stress: A Mutual Interplay in Age-Related Diseases.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 9 1162 (2018).
  4. Wankhede, Sachin et al. “Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition vol. 12 43 (2015).
  5. Ahmed, Wafaa et al. “Antioxidant activity and apoptotic induction as mechanisms of action of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) against a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.” The Journal of international medical research vol. 46,4 (2018): 1358-1369.
  6. Nagareddy, Prabhakara Reddy, and M Lakshmana. “Withania somnifera improves bone calcification in calcium-deficient ovariectomized rats.” The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology vol. 58,4 (2006): 513-9.
  7.  “Ashwagandha.” Medlineplus (2021).
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