Ashwagandha, scientifically known as (Withania somnifera) and commonly known as “winter cherry” or “Indian Ginseng,” is an evergreen shrub found in parts of Africa, India, and the Middle East that has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history.
Ashwagandha contains active substances known as withanolides, which have been identified to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, it has the potential to aid in the treatment of many conditions. Patients should be under the supervision of a healthcare provider when using ashwagandha to ensure appropriate use and dosage, to obtain a recommendation for quality preparation of ashwagandha, and to monitor for potentially serious side effects, including liver injury and drug-drug interactions.
Since herbal medicines are not FDA-approved, there have been limited studies conducted to demonstrate their efficacy. Despite this, clinical studies show that ashwagandha may be beneficial for insomnia, stress, and male infertility.
Insomnia:
In the systematic review and analysis below, “A total of five randomized controlled trials containing 400 participants were analyzed. Ashwagandha extract appears to have a beneficial effect in improving sleep in adults.”
Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC.
Cheah, K. L., Norhayati, M. N., Husniati Yaacob, L., & Abdul Rahman, R. (2021). Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 16(9), e0257843. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257843
Stress:
The following comprehensive review is an analysis of human and animal studies from online publications. Ashwagandha supplementation “improved stress markers and symptoms in the majority of the human trials.” It was noted that the serum level of the stress hormone cortisol decreased in patients taking ashwagandha compared to those who did not. The review concluded that ashwagandha has the potential “to provide resilience against stress.”
Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia - PMC
Speers, A. B., Cabey, K. A., Soumyanath, A., & Wright, K. M. (2021). Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia. Current neuropharmacology, 19(9), 1468–1495. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556
Male Infertility:
The following study conducted an evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis of four clinical trials to determine the efficacy of ashwagandha in infertile men. The study found that three months of ashwagandha treatment significantly improved sperm concentration and sperm motility and increased serum testosterone levels.
Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis - ScienceDirect
Durg, S., Shivaram, S. B., & Bavage, S. (2018). Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 50, 247–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2017.11.011
Other possible indications:
Although more studies are needed to evaluate a larger number of patients and demonstrate efficacy, several small, promising studies suggest that ashwagandha may have the potential to improve menopause symptoms, athletic performance, cognitive function, and lower blood sugar levels.
Safety:
Although ashwagandha appears to be relatively safe for most patients when taken for up to 3 months, it should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Ashwagandha is not recommended for patients with thyroid disease, autoimmune disorders, and prostate cancer. Ashwagandha may interact with prescription medications, and a few clinical cases have shown that ashwagandha was linked to liver injury. Therefore, it is essential to consult with healthcare professionals to discuss and consider the many potential benefits of ashwagandha for you.
