Ashwagandha
Overview
Potential Side Effects
Common Uses
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub found in parts of India, Africa, and the Middle East. It contains several bioactive compounds, including a group of substances known as withanolides. Withanolides have been associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The supplements typically contain ashwagandha root, leaf, or root/leaf extracts.
Common Uses
Potential Side Effects
Common Uses
Reduce stress and anxiety: May help lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation.
Improve sleep quality: Can potentially aid in better sleep.
Boost immunity: Might strengthen the immune system.
Enhance cognitive function: Could improve memory and concentration.
Support athletic performance: May help athletes recover and perform better.
Potential Side Effects
Potential Side Effects
Potential Side Effects
- Ashwagandha may be safe when taken in the short term (up to 3 months). There is not enough information to allow conclusions about its long-term safety to be reached.
- In some individuals, ashwagandha preparations may cause drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Although it is rare, there have been a number of cases that link liv
- Ashwagandha may be safe when taken in the short term (up to 3 months). There is not enough information to allow conclusions about its long-term safety to be reached.
- In some individuals, ashwagandha preparations may cause drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Although it is rare, there have been a number of cases that link liver injury to ashwagandha supplements.
- Ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be used while breastfeeding.
- Ashwagandha is not recommended for people who are about to have surgery, or for those who have autoimmune or thyroid disorders.
- There is evidence that ashwagandha might interact with some medications, including those for diabetes and high blood pressure, medicines that decrease the immune system response (immunosuppressants), sedatives, anti-seizure medications (anticonvulsants), and thyroid hormone medications.
- Because ashwagandha may increase testosterone levels, people with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer should avoid its use.
Research Tells Us
Potential Side Effects
Potential Side Effects
- Ashwagandha. LiverTox: Clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injury. Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2019. Accessed at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548536 on July 6, 2022.
- Ashwagandha. Natural Medicines website. Accessed at naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com on July 6,
- Ashwagandha. LiverTox: Clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injury. Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2019. Accessed at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548536 on July 6, 2022.
- Ashwagandha. Natural Medicines website. Accessed at naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com on July 6, 2022. [Database subscription].
- Cheah KL, Norhayati MN, Husniati Yaacob L, et al. Effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2021;16(9):e0257843.
- Durg S, Shivarum SB, Bavage S. Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: an evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine. 2018;50:247-256.
- Mukherjee PK, Banerjee S, Biswas S, et al. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal - Modern perspectives of an ancient Rasayana from Ayurveda. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2021;264:113157.
- Nasimi Doost Azgomi R, Zomorrodi A, Nazemyieh H, et al. Effects of Withania somnifera on reproductive system: a systematic review of the available evidence. BioMed Research International. 2018;2018:4076430 (published correction appears in BioMed Research International. 2019;2019:7591541).
- Savage K, Firth J, Stough C, et al. GABA-modulating phytomedicines for anxiety: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence. Phytotherapy Research. 2018;32(1):3-18.
- Shukla SD, Bhatnagar M, Khurana S. Critical evaluation of Ayurvedic plants for stimulating intrinsic antioxidant response. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2012;6:112.
- Smith SJ, Lopresti AL, Teo SYM, et al. Examining the effects of herbs on testosterone concentrations in men: a systematic review. Advances in Nutrition. 2021;12(3):744-765.
- Speers AB, Cabey KA, Soumyanath A, et al. Effects of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) on stress and the stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Current Neuropharmacology. 2021;19(9):1468-1495.
- Tandon N, Yadav SS. Safety and clinical effectiveness of Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal root in human ailments. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2020;255:112768.
- White PT, Subramanian C, Motiwala HF, et al. Natural withanolides in the treatment of chronic diseases. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 2016;928:329-373.