Withania somnifera

Related Terms

5beta, 6alpha, 14alpha, 17beta, 20beta-pentahydroxy-1-oxo-20 S, 22R-witha-2, 24-dienolide (1) and 6alpha, 7alpha-epoxy-5alpha, 14alpha, 17alpha, 23beta-tetrahydroxy-1-oxo-22R-witha-2, 24-dienolide (2), ajagandha, amangura, amukkirag, asan, asgand, asgandh, asgandha, ashagandha, ashvagandha, ashwagada, ashwaganda, ashwagandholine, asoda, asundha, asvagandha, aswagandha, avarada, ayurvedic ainseng, clustered wintercherry, ghoda asoda, Indian ginseng, kanaje Hindi, kuthmithi, Physalis somnifera, samm al ferakh, Solanaceae (family), winter cherry, withaferin A, withania, Withania coagulans, Withania somnifera, Withania somniferum, Withania somnifera Dunal, Withania somnifera glycowithanolides, Withania somnifera Kaul, Withania somnifera L, withanolide A (WL-A), withanone, withanosides.
Combination products: EuMil (polyherbal formulation containing standardized Withania somnifera (L) Dunal, Ocimum sanctum L, Asparagus racemosus Wilid and Emblica officinalis Gaertn. extracts), Siotone (ST) (herbal formulation containing Withania somnifera, Ocimum sanctum, Asparagus racemosus, Tribulus terristris and shilajit, all which are classified in Ayurveda as rasayanas), Transina (TR) (Ayurvedic herbal formulation containing of Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Eclipta alba, Ocimum sanctum, Picrorrhiza kurroa and shilajitturangi-ghanda).

Background

Ashwagandha is a small evergreen shrub that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. The name means "horse smell."
Ashwagandha has been used as medicine for hundreds of years. Traditional uses include reducing stress and promoting normal body functions. The berries may be used in the process of making cheese.
Evidence is lacking to support the use of ashwagandha for any medical condition.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


A combination therapy that includes ashwagandha has been studied for ADHD. More research on the effects of ashwagandha alone is needed.

 C


A combination therapy that includes ashwagandha has been studied for ADHD. More research on the effects of ashwagandha alone is needed.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for its possible anti-aging effects. It may help promote physical and mental health, as well as improve resistance to disease. More research is needed in this field.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for its possible anti-aging effects. It may help promote physical and mental health, as well as improve resistance to disease. More research is needed in this field.

 C


A combination therapy that includes ashwagandha has been studied for anxiety. More research on the effects of ashwagandha alone is needed.

 C


A combination therapy that includes ashwagandha has been studied for anxiety. More research on the effects of ashwagandha alone is needed.

 C


A combination therapy that includes ashwagandha has been studied for cerebellar ataxia, a condition in which there is nerve damage in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. More research on the potential effects of ashwagandha alone is needed.

 C


A combination therapy that includes ashwagandha has been studied for cerebellar ataxia, a condition in which there is nerve damage in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. More research on the potential effects of ashwagandha alone is needed.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for use in diabetes with some evidence of benefit. More high-quality studies are needed.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for use in diabetes with some evidence of benefit. More high-quality studies are needed.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for drug addiction. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for drug addiction. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Ashwagandha may increase body weight and protein levels in children. More research is needed before a firm conclusion may be made.

 C


Ashwagandha may increase body weight and protein levels in children. More research is needed before a firm conclusion may be made.

 C


Ashwagandha may lower cholesterol levels. More evidence is needed in this area before firm conclusions can be made.

 C


Ashwagandha may lower cholesterol levels. More evidence is needed in this area before firm conclusions can be made.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for immune function as part of a combination therapy. More research is needed on the use of ashwagandha alone.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for immune function as part of a combination therapy. More research is needed on the use of ashwagandha alone.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for the improvement of urine flow with some evidence of benefit. More high-quality studies are needed.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for the improvement of urine flow with some evidence of benefit. More high-quality studies are needed.

 C


Ashwagandha has traditionally been used to improve sex drive. One study looked at its effects on semen quality with some evidence of benefit. More study is needed.

 C


Ashwagandha has traditionally been used to improve sex drive. One study looked at its effects on semen quality with some evidence of benefit. More study is needed.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for the treatment of osteoarthritis. It may have anti-inflammatory benefits. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Ashwagandha has been studied for the treatment of osteoarthritis. It may have anti-inflammatory benefits. More research is needed in this area.

 C


A combination therapy that includes ashwagandha has been studied for Parkinson's disease. However, evidence is currently lacking in support of this use.

 C


A combination therapy that includes ashwagandha has been studied for Parkinson's disease. However, evidence is currently lacking in support of this use.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
The following doses of ashwagandha have been taken by mouth daily: 1-6 grams in capsule form; 3 grams of powder taken twice daily in boiled warm milk; a tea made from boiling the root in water for 15-30 minutes, then taken twice daily; 1-6 grams daily of the whole herb as a tea; 2-4 milliliters of tinctures or fluid extracts, three times daily; and 5 teaspoons of dried herb in one cup of boiling liquid, taken as 2-4 cups daily with raw sugar or honey.
To treat type 2 diabetes, powdered roots of ashwagandha have been taken by mouth for 30 days.
To improve urine flow, powdered roots of ashwagandha have been taken by mouth for 30 days.
As an anti-aging agent, two tablets of powdered ashwagandha root (0.5 grams each) have been taken by mouth three times daily with milk.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Ashwagandha may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Ashwagandha may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Ashwagandha may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Ashwagandha may increase the amount of sedation or drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Ashwagandha may also interact with agents that may affect heart rate, agents that may affect the immune system, agents that may affect muscle contractions, agents that may affect the nervous system (including anticholinergic agents and cholinesterase inhibitors), agents that may improve sex performance, agents that may promote urination, agents that may protect against radiation side effects, agents that may treat Parkinson's disease, amphetamines, androgens, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, blood thinners, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, cholesterol-lowering agents, cyclophosphamide, digoxin, fertility agents, haloperidol (Haldol?), heart agents, hormonal agents, iron salts, kidney agents, lung agents, narcotics, paclitaxel (Taxol?), pain relievers, steroids, stimulants, stomach agents, and thyroid agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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