Ashwagandha Research
40 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on stress and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Arumugam M et al. • Journal of the American Nutrition Association (2024)
Ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduced anxiety, stress, and cortisol levels at 8 weeks of treatment.
- Significant reduction in HAM-A anxiety scores (p=0.0007)
- Reduced perceived stress (p=0.0013)
- Significant cortisol reduction (p<0.0001)
Does Ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Akhgarjand C et al. • Phytotherapy Research (2022)
Ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduced anxiety (SMD: −1.55) and stress level (SMD: −1.75) compared to placebo.
- Significant anxiety reduction in 12 trials
- Optimal stress reduction at 300-600mg/day
- Dose-response analysis up to 12,000mg/day for anxiety
Do "testosterone boosters" really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review
Morgado A et al. • International journal of impotence research (2024)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
- Testosterone boosters are heavily marketed on social media and marketplaces to men with claims to significantly increase testosterone.
- Our findings indicate that most fail to increase total testosterone.
- The exceptions were β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate and betaine, which can be considered effective for male athletes.
Achievements in Hypothyroidism Treatment with Herbal Medicine: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Javidi N et al. • Current drug discovery technologies (2023)
Some herbal remedies, including Nigella sativa L., ashwagandha, and Mentha x Piperita L., can improve the signs and symptoms of primary hypothyroidism, but using a more extensive and advanced methodology will provide us with more complete results.
- In one study, Nigella sativa L. caused a significant decrease in weight (P=0.004) and body mass index (BMI) (P=0.002).
- TSH levels were reported to be decreased and T3 increased in the treatment group (P =0.03) (P=0.008), respectively.
- In another study on Nigella sativa L., results did not show a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.02).
Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review
Lorca C et al. • Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2023)
Together, the results from the compiled studies highlight the nootropic effects and the inconsistencies regarding PDNs that require further research.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137.
- Bacopa monnieri improves language, learning and memory.
- Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) modulates anxiety and social-related cognitions.
- Caffeine enhances attention and executive functions.
Effects of Withania somnifera on Cortisol Levels in Stressed Human Subjects: A Systematic Review
Della Porta M et al. • Nutrients (2023)
Brief-term supplementation with WS appears to have a stress-reducing effect in stressed individuals.
- Brief-term supplementation with WS appears to have a stress-reducing effect in stressed individuals.
- However, since the long-term effects of WS supplementation are not yet fully understood, WS supplements should be used under medical supervision.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Ashwagandha for anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Pratte MA et al. • Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2014)
Ashwagandha resulted in greater reductions in anxiety compared to psychotherapy, placebo, or no treatment.
- Significant anxiolytic effects
- Effects comparable to some medications
- Benefits for generalized anxiety disorder
Safety and efficacy of Withania somnifera for anxiety and insomnia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Fatima K et al. • Human psychopharmacology (2024)
While W. somnifera extracts yielded promising results, further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm its effects on anxiety and insomnia.
- Pooled results from five RCTs (n = 254) demonstrated that W. somnifera significantly reduced HAM-A scores (MD = -5.96; [95% CI -10.34, -1.59]; P = 0.008; I2 = 98%), as well as sleep parameters such as SOL, TST, PSQI, and SE, but not WASO and TIB.
- While W. somnifera extracts yielded promising results, further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm its effects on anxiety and insomnia.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Interventions for generalized anxiety disorder
Byrne GJ • Current opinion in psychiatry (2023)
Some other complementary therapies, including cannabinoids, require further, methodologically sound, research.
- Systematic review examining Ashwagandha efficacy
- Published in Current opinion in psychiatry (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review
Smith SJ et al. • Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2021)
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition.
- Overall, 9 out of 32 studies demonstrated statistically significant increases in testosterone concentrations.
- Conclusions are moderated by the paucity of research for many herbs, the variation in dosages and extracts used, small sample sizes, and the heterogeneity of study characteristics.
- Also, further research is required before definitive conclusions on efficacy and safety can be made.
Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce
Sarris J et al. • The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (2022)
Based on the current data and clinician input, a range of nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals were given either a supportive recommendation or a provisional recommendation across a range of various psychiatric disorders.
- Based on the current data and clinician input, a range of nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals were given either a supportive recommendation or a provisional recommendation across a range of various psychiatric disorders.
- However several had only a weak endorsement for potential use; for a few it was not possible to reach a clear recommendation direction, largely due to mixed study findings; while some other agents showed no obvious therapeutic benefit and were clearly not recommended for use.
- It is the intention of these guidelines to inform psychiatric/medical, and health professional practice globally.
Modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by plants and phytonutrients: a systematic review of human trials
Lopresti AL et al. • Nutritional neuroscience (2022)
For most phytonutrients, the effects of supplementation on HPA-axis activity in humans is unclear.
- For most phytonutrients, the effects of supplementation on HPA-axis activity in humans is unclear.
- Before more definitive conclusions about the effects of phytonutrients on the HPA-axis can be made, further research is required.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Medicinal herbs for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Zhang W et al. • Pharmacological research (2022)
Medicinal herbs may be promising for the treatment of anxiety.
- Kava was found to be an effective anxiolytic (MD: -2.46, 95% CrI: -4.47 to -0.32) but possibly ineffective in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (MD: -0.17, 95% CrI: -2.55 to -1.97).
- Ginkgo biloba (MD: -4.63, 95% CrI: -9.01 to -0.23) and Withania somnifera (MD: -4.90, 95% CrI: -9.70 to -0.17) were efficacious, as measured by HAMA scores but the trials were limited by their small sample sizes.
- Conversely, although Passionflower (MD: -4.20, 95% CrI: -8.82 to 0.16) and Saffron (MD: -2.71, 95% CrI: -6.06 to 0.57) did not reduce HAMA scores significantly in the summary network, both were worthy of further study because of support from separate networks.
The most important medicinal plants affecting sperm and testosterone production: a systematic review
Boroujeni SN et al. • JBRA assisted reproduction (2022)
Plants can probably be useful in increasing fertility due to their antioxidant power and low side effects.
- Plants can probably be useful in increasing fertility due to their antioxidant power and low side effects.
- Published in JBRA assisted reproduction (2022)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Safety and clinical effectiveness of Withania Somnifera (Linn.) Dunal root in human ailments
Tandon N et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2020)
Further, there was no in vitro and in vivo inhibition seen for CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, the two major hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes.
- Properly designed, randomized-controlled, large-size, prospective trials with standardized preparations are needed to ascertain efficacy of Aswagandha root in previously studied and other new indications.
- Published in Journal of ethnopharmacology (2020)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
A systematic review of the clinical use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction
Ng QX et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020)
It also appears to be well tolerated, with good adherence and minimal side effects.© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Overall, there is some early clinical evidence, in the form of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials, to support the cognitive benefits of W. somnifera supplementation.
- However, a rather heterogeneous study population was sampled, including older adults with mild cognitive impairment and adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder.
- In most instances, W. somnifera extract improved performance on cognitive tasks, executive function, attention, and reaction time.
Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10-year updated review
Sarris J • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
Aside from this, future focus should involve the incorporation of more biomarker analysis, in particular pharmacogenomics, to determine genetic factors moderating response to herbal medicines.Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Other encouraging herbal medicines with preliminary evidence include Curcuma longa (turmeric) in depression, Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) in affective disorders, and Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) as an adjunctive treatment in Schizophrenia.
- Although depression and anxiety are commonly researched, many other mental disorders still require further prospective investigation.
- Although the previous review suggested increasing the adjunctive study of select herbal medicines with pharmaceuticals, this was still only found to sparingly occur in research designs.
Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Hematological and Biochemical Markers, Hormonal Behavior, and Oxidant Response in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review
Gómez Afonso A et al. • Current nutrition reports (2023)
This systematic-review examined the effects of Ashwagandha.
- No evidence of the beneficial effects of Ws supplementation on hematological markers was reported.
- Ws supplementation appears to be safe, may regulate hormone levels, and has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
- However, further studies are needed to elucidate the relevance of its application.© 2023.
Dietary interventions and cognition: A systematic review of clinical trials
Gkotzamanis V et al. • Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki (2020)
However, further research is required to validate their effect as well as determine recommended doses.
- In total, eight studies investigated interventions on people with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Subjective Cognitive Impairment and all of them reported significant cognitive benefits in some cognitive domains.
- On the contrary, the remaining two studies included individuals with diagnosed dementia reported minimal to hardly any benefits.
- Conclusively, the interventions of the studies reviewed seem promising for individuals at risk of dementia, but not for those who are already diagnosed with dementia.
A Standardized Withania somnifera (Linn.) Root Extract with Piperine Alleviates the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression by Increasing Serotonin Levels: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Majeed M et al. • Journal of integrative and complementary medicine (2024)
The trial was registered prospectively with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) with the registration number CTRI/2022/05/042640, on May 18, 2022.
- Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that 500 mg of ARE standardized for 2.5% withanolides with 5 mg piperine is beneficial in improving depression, and anxiety, by increasing serum serotonin levels.
- Serum levels of serotonin increased in ARE, but showed a decrease in placebo, the difference being statically significant (p < 0.001).
- Biochemical and hematological parameters remained in the normal range in all participants and ARE was well tolerated during the study.