Anxiety and Stress
Multiple studies have documented ashwagandha’s sustained anxiety-reducing effects in stressed - but otherwise healthy - adults. [2] [3] [4]
Stress Eating
Two studies found that ashwagandha supplementation effectively reduced stress-induced eating and unhealthy cravings while promoting healthy weight loss in stressed, overweight individuals. [5] [6]
Sleep
Two studies reported improved sleep quality, reduced nighttime awakenings, and increased daytime alertness in healthy and insomniac subjects given ashwagandha for 8 weeks. [7] [2]
Sexual Health
Two studies revealed enhanced levels of sexual desire among men and women reporting symptoms of sexual dysfunction after 8 weeks of ashwagandha supplementation. [8] [9]
Immune Function
Ashwagandha has been documented to increase levels of biomarkers associated with innate and adaptive immunity. [10]
*Research discussed herein represent preliminary findings requiring additional and more rigorous evaluation before certain health claims can be made.
Sources:
[3] Andrade C, Aswath A, Chaturvedi SK, Srinivasa M, Raguram R. A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the anxiolytic efficacy ff an ethanolic extract of withania somnifera. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2000;42(3):295-301. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21407960/
[4] K C, J K, S A. A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine. Published July 1, 2012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23439798/
[5] Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Joshi K. Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract. Journal of Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2017;22(1):96-106. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587216641830
[6] Ashwagandha Helps Manage Stress-Related Weight Gain. www.naturalmedicinejournal.com. Accessed October 26, 2023. https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/ashwagandha-helps-manage-stress-related-weight-gain
[7] Langade D, Thakare V, Kanchi S, Kelgane S. Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2021;264:113276. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113276
[8] Dongre S, Langade D, Bhattacharyya S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. BioMed Research International. 2015;2015:1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/284154
[9] Chauhan S, Srivastava MK, Pathak AK. Effect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ) on well‐being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial. Health Science Reports. 2022;5(4). doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.741
[10] Tharakan A, Shukla H, Benny IR, Tharakan M, George L, Koshy S. Immunomodulatory Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial with an Open Label Extension on Healthy Participants. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021;10(16):3644. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163644