Top Ayurvedic herbs for men: Boost strength, stamina, mental wellness naturally
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Govindarajan, Chief Innovation Officer at Kapiva, shared, 'In a time defined by fast food, faster timelines, and digital overload, we need more than protein shakes and energy shots. We need systems that sustain. Ayurveda, India's 5,000-year-old science of life, offers exactly that—a holistic, preventive approach to the evolving challenges of modern masculinity.'
According to a 2021 survey, 46% of Indian men are classified as unhealthy, battling issues like heart disease, diabetes, and lifestyle-related disorders and this isn't just about ageing — male fertility is also taking a hit. Over the past four decades, global sperm counts have dropped by more than 50% and quality has declined too.
Dr Govindarajan revealed, 'Stress, poor nutrition, environmental toxins, and lack of restorative sleep are driving the decline. The impact is bigger than poor productivity—it's weakening long-term vitality.'
Enter the Ayurvedic approach: Restore, don't just react
Dr Govindarajan said, 'Ayurveda doesn't chase symptoms. It balances the entire system, the body, mind, and energy. And for men, this means building the foundations of resilience, strength, and stress recovery. Unlike synthetic stimulants, Ayurvedic herbs work with the body, not against it.'
He highlighted two powerhouses leading that change -
1. Shilajit: The Ancient Power Source for Modern Energy
Want to boost your immunity, strength and stamina? Try Shilajit, Ayurvedic elixir and ancient Himalayan treasure (Photo by Vita.Diet)
Revered as a 'destroyer of weakness' in Ayurvedic texts, Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin that oozes from Himalayan rocks. Backed by scientific research, it is known to support testosterone production, enhance energy, stamina, metabolism, and improve muscle strength.
A study published in Andrologia found that men who consumed purified Shilajit over 90 days showed a 23.5 per cent increase in testosterone levels. In today's sedentary, stress-loaded routines, Shilajit acts as a potent adaptogen, improving stamina and reducing fatigue without overstimulating the body.
2. Ashwagandha: Ayurveda's leading adaptogen
Ashwagandha is a powerful Ayurvedic herb that offers numerous benefits for overall health and wellness. (Freepik)
Modern stress isn't just emotional—it's hormonal. Ashwagandha, Ayurveda's leading adaptogen, helps reduce cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. A 2021 clinical study published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that Ashwagandha significantly reduced stress and improved sleep quality within eight weeks of daily use. More energy. Less anxiety. Deeper sleep. No crash.
You can add ashwagandha powder to hot milk, tea or smoothies, or take capsules. (Freepik)
A new model of strength: Built for the long game
Dr Govindarajan said, 'Ayurveda teaches that true health is cultivated—not crisis-managed. With rising rates of early burnout, fatigue and hormonal imbalance in men, it's time to move from reaction to prevention.'
He concluded, 'Today's man lives between ambition and anxiety but strength doesn't have to cost balance. With herbs like Shilajit and Ashwagandha, men can build clean, consistent energy—naturally. So the question isn't whether Ayurveda fits into your life. It is: Can you afford to ignore it any longer?'
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
15 minutes ago
- Hans India
Every 3rd Indian affected by some metabolic dysfunction, mass level awareness needed: Minister
Every third Indian is affected by some metabolic dysfunction, said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, while proposing a mass campaign for the prevention of Type 2 diabetes in the young. Addressing the Foundation Day ceremony of the Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), Singh expressed concern that India continues to be labelled the 'diabetes capital of the world'. 'Every third Indian is affected by some form of metabolic dysfunction,' he said. The Minister, himself a globally renowned endocrinologist, also cautioned against diabetes disinformation, which tends to be spread, sometimes inadvertently, from certain quarters. He debunked popular myths, such as the belief in 'one meal a day', urging for a more scientific understanding of meal quality and quantity in diabetes care. Singh reiterated the target of reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 10 per cent, particularly those associated with fatty liver, visceral fat, and obesity. He emphasised that public health messaging must go beyond medical publications and into institutionalised outreach to common citizens. Calling for evidence-based health awareness, Singh gave a firm dictum: 'Treat diabetes before it occurs, stressing that prevention is better than cure'. Recently, Singh also launched a study led by RSSDI, which showed that yoga can reduce the risk of diabetes by 40 per cent, highlighting the potential of yoga in preventive healthcare. The study suggested that the regular practice of yoga may reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by as much as 40 per cent in individuals predisposed to the condition. "This is one of the first such efforts that seeks to scientifically document the prevention of the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes with yoga. As per the authors of the report, there is as much as a 40 per cent reduction in the development of Type 2 diabetes among potential individuals who practice yoga regularly," Singh said.
New Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Agilent opens its Indian biopharma capability center in Hyderabad
CHENNAI: Agilent Technologies, a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, has inaugurated its new Biopharma Capability Center in Hyderabad. The facility represents a significant investment in India's expanding life sciences ecosystem and aligns with the U.S.-based company's broader three-to-five-year growth strategy for the country. The center was inaugurated by Telangana's Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, and Industries, Duddila Sridhar Babu, in the presence of Agilent's global CEO Padraig McDonnell. Designed to support the entire drug development process, the center features advanced laboratory technologies, expert training, and regulatory-ready workflows to help researchers, scientists, and companies develop high-quality, life-saving medicines. It will serve as a hub for innovation and collaboration, focusing on the development of biologics, biosimilars, and precision medicine. The facility offers end-to-end solutions across key modalities such as chromatography, mass spectrometry, cell analysis, and lab informatics. These capabilities allow companies to simulate real laboratory environments, test for quality and compliance, and co-create solutions tailored to both Indian and global markets. For Hyderabad's biopharma startups, academic institutions, and skilled professionals, the center provides access to global expertise, cutting-edge instrumentation, and real-world application environments. It supports accelerated R&D, hands-on training aligned with international regulatory standards, and fosters stronger industry-academia collaboration. 'India is a strategic growth market for Agilent, and Hyderabad is at the forefront of biopharma innovation,' said Padraig McDonnell, CEO of Agilent Technologies. 'Our future will be shaped by continued innovation and a relentless focus on our customers.' 'This new experience center reinforces our support for the 'Make-in-India' initiative by empowering local innovation, nurturing talent, and enabling scalable, affordable, and sustainable solutions,' McDonnell added. Commenting on the launch, Minister Sridhar Babu said, 'With a strong talent base and a clear focus on innovation, we are building a future-ready healthcare system. The Agilent Biopharma Experience Center is a significant milestone that strengthens Telangana's position as a global life sciences leader and adds value to our growing innovation-driven ecosystem.' Telangana currently accounts for nearly one-third of India's pharmaceutical production and 40% of bulk drug exports. Hyderabad boasts one of the most mature and future-focused life sciences ecosystems in India, with deep industry expertise, strong R&D capabilities, and a conducive policy environment. Building on the city's legacy in generics and increasing emphasis on advanced therapies, the new center adds cutting-edge analytical and regulatory capabilities that support local innovation and global delivery. Earlier this year, Agilent also launched its India Solution Center in Manesar. With this expansion, the company is deepening customer partnerships and positioning India as a strategic hub in its global innovation and growth roadmap. 'Agilent is already working closely with many of India's leading biopharma companies,' McDonnell said. 'With this center, we aim to strengthen those relationships and co-create solutions that address the evolving needs of both Indian and global markets.'
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Mothers Against Vaping' asks Health Ministry to curb nicotine pouches, flags teen addiction risk
New Delhi: An anti-vaping group has appealed to the Union Health Ministry to impose an immediate ban on nicotine pouches and gums, describing it as a fast-emerging trend and dangerous addiction among teenagers. In formal representations sent to both the Union Health Minister and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Mothers Against Vaping has called for urgent regulatory action on nicotine pouches, terming them as a potential "next gateway" product just like vapes and e-cigarettes. The group, a united front of mothers combatting the " vaping crisis " among youths, has also urged the government to stop pharmaceutical firms, owned or funded by global tobacco multinational companies, from applying for licenses to market nicotine pouches in the country. Mothers Against Vaping said the pouches are allegedly being falsely marketed by global tobacco interests as a "safer alternative" to smoking, a narrative it added has "already misled many young people". The group, in their representations, has requested the government to launch a thorough investigation into such pharmaceutical companies, alleging multinational tobacco corporations of allegedly using them as front companies to gain backdoor access to the Indian market. It cited a recent acquisition of an Indian pharma and nutraceutical firm by an MNC, claiming that it has applied for a license to introduce nicotine pouches. "This acquisition was made solely to bypass existing tobacco control laws and mislead vigilant regulators," the group said. It claimed that large tobacco companies are allegedly actively commissioning research and manipulating policies to promote their new-age nicotine products. Mothers Against Vaping said it had earlier released a white paper on it titled 'Please Stop This'. The white paper claimed that the MNCs are running a propaganda campaign to undermine regulatory efforts and frameworks in many foreign countries, including in Japan, where vapes and HNBs (heat-not-burn devices) production are now a success. The World Health Organization (WHO), too, has campaigned against tobacco industry 's "tactics to influence public health policies " to protect young people from their products. According to the global health body, the tobacco industry profits from damaging health with their products and has attempted to get a seat at the policymaking table with governments to lobby against health policies. The government has to carefully study the intent of various lobbying effort to indirectly or directly promote these new-age gateway devices, the group said in a statement. In India, the government already permits the sale of medically regulated NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) products such as nicotine gums, lozenges, strips, and patches. Under the current provisions of Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945, nicotine gums containing up to 2 mg of nicotine are exempt from requiring a sales licence or a prescription from a registered medical practitioner, the group said. "This regulatory loophole is enabling such products to be sold over the counter without oversight or restriction, creating a pathway for potentially harmful nicotine products to enter the market unchecked," it said. The nicotine pouches offer a new and novel method to deliver the toxic and addictive substance and the small packets contain nicotine powder or salts, and most of them contain 1.5 to 8 milligrams of nicotine, the group added. "However, some can contain as much as 50 milligrams per pouch, which is equivalent to smoking eight cigarettes. Also, they do not require spitting, making them further easy to use undetected, unlike traditional smokeless tobacco," it said. Clinical Psychologist and Mothers Against Vaping member D Bhavna Barmi said, "It is a matter of high alarm that manufacturers of nicotine pouches are actively targeting impressionable teenagers through calculated marketing strategies. These companies are using sleek, modern packaging, colourful branding, and flavours like mint, fruit and bubble-gum to make nicotine seem fun and harmless. "These subtle but powerful psychological cues make teenagers perceive nicotine pouches as a trendy lifestyle accessory and are lured into trying them out, leading to addiction." Some health experts early exposure to nicotine of this kind and other such chemicals can inflict serious damage on a child's physical health. Dr Rajesh Gupta, Director of Pulmonology at Fortis Hospital, and a member of Mothers Against Vaping, said that these products are often marketed as "smokeless" or "tobacco-free", but that does not make them harmless. "It should be highlighted that nicotine itself is a powerful chemical that can cause real, lasting damage, especially in developing bodies. There are many studies that have shown that nicotine alters brain development, and in teens it can cause elevated heart rates, high blood pressure, frequent headaches, nausea, and even early signs of cardiovascular strain. He said Nicotine can also impair immune function and disrupt sleep cycles, both of which are essential for healthy adolescent growth and development. "Teens are being misled into thinking these pouches are safe or "clean" alternatives when in reality they are exposing themselves to a highly addictive substance that harms their bodies in multiple ways," Gupta said. "We need stronger public health messaging and regulatory oversight to push back against this deceptive narrative. Our youth deserve honest information, not marketing tactics that put their long-term health at risk," he added. PTI
