Holistic healing and implementation of unconventional therapeutic approaches to resolve deep-seated emotional issues are on the rise – Ayurvedic medicine, for instance, involves numerous herbs and spices to help people address their mental health problems. Ashwagandha is one of the key elements of Ayurveda – it reduces the negative effects of chronic stress and anxiety on the mind and body.
Let us learn more about ashwagandha benefits for teenagers, explore how this herb can help young people deal with stress and anxiety, and figure out how much ashwagandha an adolescent should take to improve their wellness.
What Is Ashwagandha and Its Role in Teen Health?
Ashwagandha refers to a herb popularized by Ayurvedic medicine – it helps people lessen their anxiety and stress, deal with sleep disturbances, and get an energy boost. This herb can also help athletes during intense physical activities and improve cognitive function.
As for the ashwagandha use in teenagers, it can be an appropriate herbal treatment option during adolescence, especially if a young person cannot sleep well due to cumulative stress and cannot handle mental health issues triggered by the pressure all teenagers are under nowadays.
Benefits of Ashwagandha for Teenagers
If you are considering using ashwagandha for teens in your family or you are yourself a young adult interested in the possibilities of Ayurveda therapies, you should know more about the advantages of this herb for young people:
Benefit
Description
Cope With Anxiety
Extracts of ashwagandha lower cortisol levels – as a result, the body of the individual who uses this herb is capable of dealing with additional stress
Treat Sleep Problems
Whether insomnia or unhealthy sleep patterns were caused by hormonal changes or stress, ashwagandha will help the person relax and calm down during the day and night
Support the Immune System
More and more young people suffer from inflammation, and studies have shown that ashwagandha can reduce inflammation and prevent immunodeficiency
Improve Cognitive Function
Adolescents often struggle to focus on a particular assignment or task which is particularly challenging during exams – there is a chance that ashwagandha helps a teenager to focus on their studying when their mind needs extra support
Ashwagandha Dosage Guidelines for Teens
Ashwagandha for teens: how can someone figure out the right dosage? While on average an adult person should take between three hundred and five hundred milligrams of ashwagandha per day, ashwagandha dosage for teens is typically lower. Start with a dose of two hundred milligrams every morning and observe your mental and physical state – you may increase the dosage up to three hundred milligrams per day if the herb has a positive impact on your well-being.
Ensuring Safe Supplementation
You need to be careful with any prescription drug, over-the-counter medicine, and medicinal herb – ashwagandha is not an exception. You should only use this herb for a short period of time to prevent adverse effects that may impact your physical and mental wellness. Note that if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, you have to consult with your healthcare provider prior to using ashwagandha as a supplement.
Side Effects of Ashwagandha in Adolescents
Before you purchase ashwagandha to give to your teenage child, you should know more about the potential adverse effects of this herb – take a look at the most common ashwagandha side effects in adolescents:
Adverse Effect
Description
Emotional Issues
Although this herb is meant to resolve your psychological problems, sometimes it makes adolescents feel depressed, emotionally unstable, and numb
Allergic Reactions
Some young people have reported their bodies did not react well to the herb in question – there is a possibility of itching, skin rash, swelling of the face, and even breathing difficulties
Digestive Problems
In certain instances, teenagers may experience nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea after taking ashwagandha especially if the dose was too high for them
Hormonal Imbalance
You need to be particularly careful with ashwagandha during puberty – this herb influences hormone levels and even interferes with the natural hormonal changes when the person is growing up
Ashwagandha for Teenage Anxiety and Stress Relief
One of the main purposes of ashwagandha is to help teenagers navigate psychological challenges they have never encountered before – research has confirmed that this medicinal herb is effective as a therapeutic approach against anxiety and stress. An adolescent needs to take this supplement consistently for several weeks – ashwagandha is available as a liquid, powder, gummy, tablet, and capsule, and can be taken with or without a meal.
Safety Considerations for Young Adults
Ashwagandha safety for young adults is an important issue – naturally, you would not want to either take or suggest a drug, herb, or supplement that may harm any adolescent. It is necessary to confirm that this herb will not interact with other medications to the detriment of the person’s health. If an adolescent is currently taking sedatives, prescription drugs to lower their blood pressure, or immunosuppressants, speak to a physician or psychiatrist first before purchasing ashwagandha in any form.
Using Ashwagandha Supplements for Teens
You can find ashwagandha supplement for teens at a local pharmacy or order it online – as a supplement, it can be a tablet or capsule that contains ashwagandha extract, powder you can mix into your drink or smoothie, a liquid extract you can take with water, and a gummy that can be a preferable option for those who dislike the taste of this herb in a different form.
Learn More With Hillside Horizon for Teens
Whether you want to introduce your teenage child to ashwagandha and similar supplements that are supposed to help them navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and purpose or you are trying to find an alternative way to cope with your anxiety as a young adult, talking to a mental health professional and hearing what they have to say about your treatment strategy is a smart idea.
At Hillside Horizon for Teens we are ready to offer you personalized guidance and support – contact us today, discuss the benefits of ashwagandha for teens, and figure out what treatment strategy can yield the best results for you or the person you care about.
FAQs
What are the potential benefits of ashwagandha for teenagers?
Ashwagandha can help a teenager relax during the day and sleep better at night – their cortisol levels are balanced which makes them more resilient to stress and brings an overall sense of calm that is often hard to achieve without some kind of medication or supplement.
How should ashwagandha be dosed for teens to ensure safety and effectiveness?
While dosage varies from one person to another, most teenagers do not take more than two or three hundred milligrams of ashwagandha per day. It is better to use this herb in the morning to monitor the potential positive and negative effects.
What are the common side effects of ashwagandha in adolescents?
In some cases, young people might experience digestive issues like stomach pain and nausea, have allergic reactions to the herb, and deal with hypotension.
Is ashwagandha considered safe for young adults and teenagers?
Even though it is recommended to take precautions and talk to your doctor before using ashwagandha as well as to be certain there are no adverse drug interactions, ashwagandha is a safe herb for the majority of people in need of mental health treatment.
Can ashwagandha help alleviate anxiety and stress relief in teens?
Your healthcare provider may advise you or your child to take ashwagandha for teen stress relief – this herb influences neurotransmitter activity in the brain, regulates the stress response of the body, and promotes a sense of calm that a young person may lack due to the overwhelming amount of obligations they are expected to meet.
Clinically reviewed by Alejandro Alva, M.D., Medical Director.