Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. The shrub's roots and berries are used to make an Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda Ayurveda Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India, originated > 4000 years ago. It is based on the theory that disease results from an imbalance of the body’s life force (prana). It aims... read more is the traditional medical system of India. The name is derived from Sanskrit and translated as "smell of the horse."
(See also Overview of Dietary Supplements Overview of Dietary Supplements Dietary supplements are the most commonly used of all integrative, complementary, and alternative therapies, primarily because they are widely available, relatively inexpensive, and can be bought... read more .)
Claims
Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, is said to enhance muscle strength, reduce stress, and improve sleep. There has been interest in ashwagandha use for osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) Osteoarthritis is a chronic arthropathy characterized by disruption and potential loss of joint cartilage along with other joint changes, including bone hypertrophy (osteophyte formation). Symptoms... read more 
due to some preliminary chondroprotective activity.
Evidence
There is insufficient evidence that ashwagandha reduces stress, improves sleep, or is effective for treating any disease (1 References Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. The shrub's roots and berries are used to make an Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is the traditional medical system of India. The... read more ).
Ashwagandha in a combination supplement product demonstrated potential efficacy in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis, but it is unclear if the benefit was due to ashwagandha or one of the other ingredients or the combination (2 References Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. The shrub's roots and berries are used to make an Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is the traditional medical system of India. The... read more ).
Ashwagandha was evaluated in a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 38 young, active males doing resistance training. The study reported that the ashwagandha group had significant improvements in muscle strength, bench-press power, squats, and recovery scores (3 References Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. The shrub's roots and berries are used to make an Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is the traditional medical system of India. The... read more ).
Adverse Effects
Adverse effects of ashwagandha may include diarrhea, headache, sedation, or nausea. Liver problems may occur. Ashwagandha may increase testosterone levels (4 References Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. The shrub's roots and berries are used to make an Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is the traditional medical system of India. The... read more ).
Ashwagandha should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Ashwagandha can interact with thyroid hormones and antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, immunosuppressant, and sedative drugs. (See table .)
References
1. Speers AB, Cabey KA, Soumyanath A, Wright KM: Effects of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) on stress and the stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Curr Neuropharmacol 19(9):1468-1495, 2021. doi: 10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556
2. Chopra A, Lavin P, Patwardhan B, et al: A 32-week randomized, placebo-controlled clinical evaluation of RA-11, an Ayurvedic drug, on osteoarthritis of the knees. J Clin Rheumatol 10(5):236-245, 2004. doi:10.1097/01.rhu.0000138087.47382.6d
3. Ziegenfuss TN, Kedia AW, Sandrock JE, et al: Effects of an aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on strength training adaptations and recovery: The STAR Trial. Nutrients 10(11):1807, 2018. doi:10.3390/nu10111807
4. Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Smith SJ: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in aging, overweight males. Am J Mens Health 13(2):1557988319835985, 2019. doi:10.1177/1557988319835985
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Drug Name | Select Trade |
|---|---|
testosterone |
Androderm, AndroGel, Andro-L.A., Aveed, AXIRON, Delatestryl, Depo-Testosterone, FORTESTA, JATENZO, KYZATREX, Natesto, STRIANT, Testim, Testoderm, Testopel, TLANDO, Virilon, Vogelxo, XYOSTED |
