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1000+ verified doctorsashwagandha is hot or cold - #38983
I am feeling really confused about this whole thing with ashwagandha, like, is ashwagandha is hot or cold? My friend recommended it for stress and fatigue, and I gotta say, I was super excited to try it. But then I started reading up and I came across all these conflicting opinions. Some say ashwagandha is hot, while others claim it’s cold — like, what even is that supposed to mean??? I’ve been dealing with a ton of anxiety lately, and I’ve tried a few things, but nothing has worked as well as I hope. Along with that, I sometimes feel really fatigued, like no energy whatsover. Ive had a cold feeling in my body too, like chills, and then at random times, I’d feel all warm. Ugh, I just wanna know if ashwagandha works for this. Should I be worrying about whether taking ashwagandha is hot or cold? Because honestly, I don’t even know what would really work better for me. I tried a tea with ashwagandha, and it was super earthy and almost a little spicy, but is that normal if ashwagandha is hot?? I don’t wanna mess up my body even more. Any advice or insights would be amazing, thanks!
Doctors' responses
In Ayurveda, every substance holds certain qualities, such as hot (ushna) or cold (shita), that can affect body balance. Ashwagandha, known as Withania somnifera, is traditionally classified as having a heating (hot) energy. This means it generally may increase warmth and heat within the body. Understanding whether Ashwagandha is suitable for you involves recognizing your current dosha balance.
If you’re experiencing anxiety and fatigue along with sensations of coldness and occasional warmth, it could be indicative of a Vata imbalance, particularly if chills and cold feelings are your dominant symptoms. Vata dosha is generally cold and dry in nature, so integrating warming herbs like Ashwagandha can potentially be beneficial to balance that. The warming properties can help mitigate the coldness you feel, potentially relieving some of that fatigue by support your bodily energy and by calming the nervous system. Ashwagandha is adaptogenic, it’s valued for reducing stress and boosting energy levels.
However, in case you experience sudden warmth or heat due to increased tension or stress, adding Ashwagandha might intensify that feeling for some people, only at that moment. If you have a Pitta imbalance, characterized by excessive heat, it could be best to approach cautiously. But still, considering your prevailing symptoms - chilling and fatigue, it seems Ashwagandha could help balance Vata.
For practical use, consider taking Ashwagandha in the form of churna (powder) mixed in warm milk, possibly with some ghee especially at night to promote relaxation and sleep. Start small, perhaps 1/2 a teaspoon, to observe how your body responds, and adjust the amounts based on your comfort and results over time.
Given your specific concerns, if the symptoms persist or cause discomfort, seeking one-on-one guidance from a skilled Ayurvedic practitioner is recommended. They’d provide tailored advice considering your complete constitution (prakriti) and current imbalances.
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