Ashwagandha is sometimes called "Indian ginseng," not because it's related botanically (it's closer to potatoes and tomatoes), but because its traditional uses were similar. Like ginseng, ashwagandha was thought to be a "tonic herb" capable of generally strengthening the body. On this basis it has been used in hopes of prolonging life, improving overall health, enhancing mental function, increasing fertility and libido, augmenting physical energy, and preventing infections.
In addition, as its species name "somniferum" suggests, ashwagandha been used traditionally for inducing sleep.
What Is Ashwagandha Used for Today?
Modern herbalists classify ashwagandha as an adaptogen, a substance said to increase the body's ability to withstand
stress
of all types. (See the article on
ginseng
for more information on adaptogens.) However, the evidence for an adaptogenic effect is limited to test tube and animal studies.
3,4,6,7,9-13
A typical traditional dosage of ashwagandha is 1- 2 grams of the root (boiled in milk or water for 15-20 minutes) taken three times daily.
Safety Issues
Ashwagandha is believed to be safe; however, formal safety studies have not been reported. Therefore, it should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, young children, or those with severe kidney or liver disease.
According to one study in animals, ashwaghanda may raise thyroid hormone levels.
5
For this reason, it should not be used by people with
hyperthyroidism
.
In addition, based on traditional beliefs that ashwagandha has sedative effects, interactions with sedative drugs are a potential concern.
Interactions You Should Know About
If you are taking
sedative drugs
, you should not take ashwagandha at the same time except under your doctor's supervision.
References
1:
Devi PU, Sharada AC, Solomon FE, et al. In vivo growth inhibitory effect of
Withania somnifera
(Ashwagandha) on a transplantable mouse tumour, Sarcoma 180.
Indian J Exp Biol
. 1992;30:169–172.
3:
Kupparanjan K, et al. Effect of ashwaganda (
Withania somnifera
Dunal) on the process of aging in human volunteers.
J Res Ayurveda Siddha
. 1980;1:247–258.
4:
Bone K. [No title available].
MediHerb Professional Review
. 1998;30.
5:
Panda S, Kar A. Changes in thyroid hormone concentrations after administration of ashwagandha root extract to adult male mice.
J Pharm Pharmacol.
1998;50:1065–1068.
6:
Archana R, Namasivayam A. Antistressor effect of
Withania somnifera.J Ethnopharmacol.
1999;64:91–93.
7:
Dhuley JN. Therapeutic efficacy of ashwagandha against experimental aspergillosis in mice.
Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol.
1998;20:191–198.
8:
Ziauddin M, Phansalkar N, Patki P, et al. Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha.
J Ethnopharmacol.
1996;50:69–76.
9:
Dhuley JN. Effect of ashwagandha on lipid peroxidation in stress-induced animals
. J Ethnopharmacol
. 1998;60:173–178.
10:
Singh N, Nath R, Lata A, et al.
Withania somnifera
(ashwagandha), a rejuvenating herbal drug which enhances survival during stress (an adaptogen).
Int J Crude Drug Res
. 1982;20:29–35.
11:
Dadkar VN, Ranadive NU, Dhar HL. Evaluation of antistress (adaptogen) activity of
Withania somnifera
(ashwagandha).
Indian J Clin Biochem
. 1987;2:101–108.
12:
Dhuley JN. Adaptogenic and cardioprotective action of ashwagandha in rats and frogs.
J Ethnopharmacol
. 2000;70:57-63.
13:
Singh B, Saxena AK, Chandan BK, et al. Adaptogenic activity of a novel, withanolide-free aqueous fraction from the roots of
Withania somniferaDun
.
Phytother Res
. 2001;15:311-318.
14:
Davis L, Kuttan G. Effect of
Withania somnifera
on DMBA induced carcinogenesis.
J Ethnopharmacol.
2001;75:165-168.
15:
Prakash J, Gupta SK, Kochupillai V, et al. Chemopreventive activity of
Withania somnifera
in experimentally induced fibrosarcoma tumours in Swiss albino mice.
Phytother Res
. 2001;15:240-244.
16:
Russo A, Izzo AA, Cardile V, et al. Indian medicinal plants as antiradicals and DNA cleavage protectors.
Phytomedicine
. 2001;8:125-132.
17:
Singh DD, Dey CS, Bhutani KK. Downregulation of p34cdc2 expression with aqueous fraction from
Withania somnifera
for a possible molecular mechanism of anti-tumor and other pharmacological effects.
Phytomedicine
. 2001;8:492-494.
18:
Gupta YK, Sharma SS, Rai K, et al. Reversal of paclitaxel induced neutropenia by
Withania somnifera
in mice.
Indian J Physiol Pharmacol
. 2001;45:253-257.
19:
Dhuley JN. Nootropic-like effect of ashwagandha (
Withania somnifera L
.) in mice.
Phytother Res
. 2001;15:524-528.
20:
Jain S, Shukla SD, Sharma K, Bhatnagar M. Neuroprotective effects of
Withania somnifera Dunn
. in hippocampal sub-regions of female albino rat.
Phytother Res
. 2001;15:544-548.
21:
Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Sairam K, et al. Anxiolytic-antidepressant activity of
Withania somnifera
glycowithanolides: an experimental study.
Phytomedicine
. 2000;7:463-469.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
