Also Known As: Withania.
Scientific Name: Withania somnifera.
Family: Solanaceae.
People Use This For:
Ashwagandha is traditionally used for arthritis, anxiety,
insomnia, tumors, tuberculosis, and chronic liver disease.
Ashwagandha is also used as an "adaptogen" to increase resistance
to environmental stress, and as a general tonic. It is also used
for immunomodulatory effects, improving cognitive function,
decreasing inflammation, preventing the effects of aging, for
emaciation, infertility in men and women, menstrual disorders,
fibromyalgia, and hiccups. It is also used orally as an
aphrodisiac.
Safety: Possibly safe when used orally and
appropriately, short-term.17,18
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Insufficient scientific information
available, consult a medical herbalist.
Effectiveness: There is insufficient scientific information
available to comment.
Mechanism of Action: The applicable parts of ashwagandha are the
root and berry. Ashwagandha contains several active constituents
including alkaloids, steroidal lactones, and saponins.19,18.
Animal model research suggests that ashwagandha has a variety of
pharmacological effects including pain relief, lowering
temperature, reducing anxiety, inflammatory, and antioxidant
effects.17,20,21,19,18 , sedative, blood pressure lowering,
anti-immunomodulatory. Some
researchers think ashwagandha has a so-called "anti-stressor"
effect. Preliminary increases of dopamine receptors in the corpus
striatum of the brain. 17 It also appears to reduce
stress-induced increases of plasma corticosterone, blood urea
nitrogen, and blood lactic acid.18 Ashwagandha seems to have
anxiolytic effects, possibly by acting as a gamma-aminobutyric
acid (GABA) mimetic agent. Research suggests ashwagandha
suppresses stress-induced anxiety. Ashwagandha and its
constituents also seem to have modulating effects on the immune
system. The withanolides and sitoindosides seem to cause a
mobilization of phagocytosis, and lysosomal enzymes.18
Adverse Reactions: Ashwagandha is well
tolerated.
Interactions with Herbs & Supplements
Herbs and Supplements with Sedative Properties: Theoretically,
used with herbs that have sedative properties they may have an
additive effect. This needs to be taken into account with the
dosage.
Interactions with Drugs: Benzodiazepines e.g.Valium, Xanax
CNS Depressants: Theoretically, Ashwagandha's sedative effect may
add to the effects of barbiturates (rarely prescribed now except
for epilepsy), other sedatives, and drugs for anxiety,17 needed.
Immunosuppressants; refer to medical herbalist
Thyroid Hormone: Theoretically, ashwagandha might have additive
effects when used with thyroid supplements. There is preliminary
evidence that ashwagandha might boost thyroid hormone synthesis
and/or secretion.17
Refer patients on medication to a well qualified Medical
Herbalist.
Interactions with Foods: None known.
Interactions with Lab Tests: Digoxin blood levels (heart
medication).
Interactions with Diseases or Conditions: Autoimmune
effects.17,20,22,18 The modulating effects on the immune system
can be helpful but should be prescribed by a Medical Herbalist.
Diseases: Ashwagandha may have immunostimulant properties.
Dosage/Administration:
Dr Clare’s Blends: 1gm per day
Oral: People typically use 1 to 6 grams daily of the whole herb
in capsule or tea form.17 The tea is prepared by boiling
ashwagandha roots in water for 15 minutes and cooled. The usual
dose is 3 cups daily. Tincture or fluid extracts are dosed 2 to 4
mL 3 times per day.
Topical: No typical dosage.
Specific References: ASHWAGANDHA Upton R, ed. Ashwagandha Root
(Withania somnifera): Analytical, quality control, and
17. therapuetic monograph. Santa Cruz, CA: American Herbal
Pharmacopoeia 2000:1-25.
18. Mishra LC, Singh BB, Dagenais S. Scientific basis for the
therapeutic use of Withania
somnifera (ashwagandha): a review. Altern Med Rev 2000;5:334-46.
19. Bhattacharya SK, Satyan KS, Ghosal S. Antioxidant activity of
glycowithanolides from Withania somnifera. Indian J Exp Biol
1997;35:236-9.
20. Davis L, Kuttan G. Effect of Withania somnifera on
cyclophosphamide-induced urotoxicity. Cancer Lett 2000;148:9-17.
21. Archana R, Namasivayam A. Antistressor effect of Withania
somnifera. J Ethnopharmacol 1999;64:91-3.
22. Davis L, Kuttan G. Suppressive effect of
cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity by Withania somnifera extract
in mice. J Ethnopharmacol