The Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha is an adaptogen known for its wide range of uses, including support for fertility, arthritis, and PCOS. Ashwagandha for skin has also gained attention, as it may help reduce acne when taken regularly.
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions. An estimated 80% of people between the age group of 11 and 30 experience outbreaks of acne.¹
Acne is characterized by the presence of comedones, whiteheads, blackheads, and sometimes pustules, nodules, and cysts. It occurs when hair follicles are clogged with cells and oil from the skin.
Now, first let us understand what causes acne on the skin.
What Causes Acne
Hormonal imbalance, stress, anxiety, irregular sleep cycle or insomnia, intake of high glycemic foods, and a weak immune system all play an important part in causing acne. Let’s take a look at how ashwagandha helps acne.
How Ashwagandha for skin helps in reducing acne
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) also known as Indian ginseng, helps to fight infections, deters oil plugs from being formed on the skin, and is a natural and healthy way to treat acne scars.2
In the following section, we explore exactly how ashwagandha helps acne and some of the advantages it offers in acne treatment with suitable scientific evidence.
Ashwagandha reduces and extinguishes the inflammatory cascade
Ashwagandha contains biologically active steroids called withaferin A, 3-b-hydroxy-2, and 3-dihydro withanolide F. These have promising anti-inflammatory properties.² This is one of the reasons why ashwagandha for skin is considered helpful in reducing the inflammation caused by acne.
In fact, studies on ashwagandha have shown better results in reducing inflammation as compared to phenylbutazone³ and hydrocortisone.⁴ Withanolide obtained from this plant possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity due to its cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition property.⁵
Aids hormonal balance
Adaptogen is a term used for any plant or compound that helps the body regain hormonal and psychological balance (homeostasis) in times of stress.
Ashwagandha is regarded as a first-class adaptogenic tonic in the Ayurvedic classical texts. A few conditions of the endocrine system, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Cushing’s syndrome can lead to outbreaks of acne.
Alkaloids, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, and glycosides present in Ashwagandha support the overall function of the endocrine system and prevent acne outbreaks. This highlights the benefits of ashwagandha for skin, especially when the root cause is hormonal imbalance.⁶
It slays stress and anxiety thereby preventing stress-induced acne
Ashwagandha reduces the level of serum cortisol which is elevated in stressful conditions and mental anxiety.⁷
It even corrects the imbalance between the immune and neuroendocrine systems to normalize bodily functions under stressful conditions. It does this by targeting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) gland axis.⁹
The anxiolytic action of Ashwagandha is found to be better than that of benzodiazepine lorazepam and its antidepressant action than tricyclic antidepressant imipramine.10
Ashwagandha has neuroprotective properties. It nourishes the central nervous system to enhance tolerance to stress. 11 Glycosides significantly show anti-stress activity.12
High levels of stress also result in an increase in glucose and salt levels in the blood. This is one of the major causes of acne formation, which is why ashwagandha skin benefits are often associated with its ability to reduce stress-induced breakouts.
Ashwagandha brings both of them to a normal level, due to the presence of flavonoids. Flavanoids possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. 13
Ashwagandha significantly increases the volume and sodium content in the urine and decreases triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins in blood serum.14
It protects against the cellular damage caused by free radicals
Ashwagandha improves the body’s defense against disease by improving cell-mediated immunity. It also possesses potent antioxidant properties that protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals.
Ashwagandha’s claim to fame is its ability to lower blood levels of lipid peroxides, or fat-soluble free radicals, which are the most dangerous type of free radicals for acne.
Glyco-withanolides in Ashwagandha tend to normalize the augmented superoxide dismutase and lipid peroxidation activity. It also enhances the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase. This demonstrates its antioxidant property which is responsible for reducing oxidative stress.15
The antioxidant and anti-oxidative properties of Ashwagandha also prevent premature aging, proving it an anti-aging herb.16
It’s an antimicrobial and immunomodulator
Withaferin A present in Ashwagandha possesses unsaturated lactone rings which aid in inhibiting the growth of various Gram-positive bacteria, acid-fast and aerobic bacilli, and pathogenic fungi.
Propionibacterium acnes17 and staphylococcus epidermidis18 are gram-positive bacteria and the main organisms that play an important role in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. One study observed that lactone showed stronger therapeutic activity than penicillin 19
In another study, a significant increase in hemoglobin, RBC, WBC, platelet count, body weight, and hemolytic antibody responses towards human erythrocytes was observed. These are due to its immunomodulatory activity 20.
Anti-stress agents like sitoindosides VII-X and withaferin-A which support immunomodulatory actions have antifungal properties also.21 Ashwagandha root is effective in the treatment of some patients with a nonclassic 11-hydroxylase deficiency which causes acne.22
Benefits of Ashwagandha for skin as per Ayurveda
The ancient Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita states that Ashwagandha reduces inflammation and tones muscles.23
It is anti-inflammatory and indicated in inflammatory swelling.24 Due to its rejuvenation property, stronger and higher quality body systems are formed that support the channels and remove all types of blockages.25 The body systems benefiting from its use are blood, muscles, fat, bones, bone marrow, and reproductive.26
According to the ancient Ayurvedic physician Sushruta, the causative factors for acne are the vitiation of Vata, Kapha, and the blood.27 According to another classical text, it is produced by the waste product formed in the process of the creation of reproductive fluid.28
Ashwagandha pacifies Kapha and Vata dosha while balancing reproductive fluid, therefore reducing the formation of acne.
Ashwagandha curbs all causes of acne formation and prevents it from occurring. Ashwagandha skin benefits are powerful and lasting.
Ashwagandha should be taken internally and applied externally over the affected part for best results.
It was shown that the paste of Ashwagandha root prepared with water effectively reduced incidences of carbuncles, ulcers, boils, pimples, painful swellings, and bedsores when applied locally.29
The dried fruits and roots are anti-inflammatory and are used topically for the management of swelling and ulcerations.30
How to use Ashwagandha for acne
The dried powder of the roots and leaves of Ashwagandha should be taken in cases of acne.
Ashwagandha powder can be taken with milk internally. Check with your health care provider or a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for assistance.
Apply a paste of the fresh leaves or a mixture of the powder with honey or lime juice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes daily.
In Ayurveda, the skin reflects what’s happening to the body on the inside. Use Ashwagandha to balance yourself from the inside, to look beautiful on the outside.
We hope you enjoyed reading about the ashwagandha for skin and how this ancient herb can bring a natural glow and balance to your skincare routine.
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