Overview:
Ashwagandha is an important nutrient in Ayurvedic medicine. This is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and one of India’s healthcare systems.
In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is considered a Rasayana. This means that it helps maintain youth, both mentally and physically.
Overview of Benefits:
For example, proponents may use ashwagandha to help treat the following:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Skin Conditions
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Epilepsy
- Memory
- Energy
Different treatments make use of different parts of the plant, including the leaves, seeds, and fruit.
Stress & Anxiety
Ashwagandha may have a calming effect on anxiety symptoms. In a 2019 studyTrusted Source, researchers found that taking a daily dose of 240 milligrams (mg) of ashwagandha significantly reduced people’s stress levels when compared with a placebo. This included reduced levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone.
In another 2019 studyTrusted Source, taking 250 mg or 600 mg of ashwagandha per day resulted in lower self-reported stress levels, as well as lower cortisol levels.
A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that ashwagandha could help to improve physical performance. In particular, ashwagandha supplementation could help enhance strength, fitness, and recovery in healthy males and females.
The review suggests that consuming 300–500 mg twice per day, in the morning and before sleep, may be beneficial for individuals undergoing strenuous resistance or endurance training.
Alzheimer’s Treatment
A 2020 review suggests that ashwagandha may possess neuroprotective properties and could protect against many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
Similarly, a 2021 review indicates that ashwagandha and other medicinal nutrients could help prevent cognitive decline and restore normal cognitive function.
Cancer
Many people living with cancer may experience stress, anxiety, and fatigue. For those seeking non-pharmaceutical options for relief from these symptoms, ashwagandha may provide a suitable option.