Ashwagandha: effect
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is considered around the globe as a miracle drug of complementary and alternative medicine. The plant is said to have a healing effect on countless ailments – from diseases of the skin and hair to infections, nervous disorders and infertility.
Very often the root of Ashwagandha is used. However, other parts of the plant are often used medicinally, for example the leaves or fruits of the sleeping berry.
Traditional applications
Here is a selection of folk medicine applications of Withania somnifera:
Nervous system: Ashwagandha is said to have a positive effect on the psyche. Therefore, the medicinal plant is often used for stress, sleep disorders, anxiety and nervous exhaustion.
It is also said to be helpful for concentration and memory problems as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s – in Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha belongs to the Medhya Rasayana. These are means to improve brain performance (such as comprehension, memory, concentration).
Ashwagandha is also used to treat epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, for example.
Cardiovascular system: Ashwagandha is said to lower high blood pressure. Conversely, it is also said to treat low blood pressure – as well as poor circulation.
Heart problems are also a traditional field of application. The sleeping berry is said to strengthen the heart muscle.
In addition, the medicinal plant is used to regulate cholesterol levels and treat anemia.
Folk medicine in various regions of the world also relies on the healing power of Withania somnifera for hemorrhoids – an enlarged vascular cushion at the exit of the rectum.
Immune system: In ethnomedicine, the medicinal plant is considered an effective remedy for susceptibility to infection and immune deficiency. Ashwagandha is also said to fight various infections, for example with bacteria or viruses.
When you can still successfully take the plant, according to ethnomedicine, are allergies.
Skeleton and muscles: For inflammations in the area of the skeletal system, the medicinal plant is used as well as, for example, for rheumatism and generally for muscle, joint and back pain.
In addition, ashwagandha is said to strengthen muscles. That is why some people use it to build muscles.
Man & Woman: Ashwagandha is said to have an effect against infertility in men and women. The plant is said to help against weakness of the sexual organs and also act as an aphrodisiac.
In women, the medicinal plant is used in folk medicine, among other things, for the following health problems:
- Diseases of the uterus
- Disorders of the female hormonal cycle, e.g. absent or prolonged menstruation (amenorrhea, menorrhagia)
- whitish discharge (leucorrhea)
Ashwagandha is also used for abortion in some places – as well as to stimulate milk production after childbirth.
In men, folk medicine uses the sleeping berry, among other things, against impotence and premature ejaculation – and to increase sperm count. This is said to contribute to the aforementioned fertility-promoting effect of ashwagandha.
Skin and hair: The medicinal plant is used to treat skin ulcers, boils, scabies, cuts and other wounds. Psoriasis and leprosy also appear in the literature as areas of application.
In addition, ashwagandha is said to help against hair loss and gray hair.
Strengthening and rejuvenation: Ayurvedic physicians classify ashwagandha among the rasayanas. These are rejuvenating agents – i.e. medicinal plants and other natural substances that have a particularly strengthening (toning), nourishing and rejuvenating effect on cells, tissues and organs.
Other uses: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses ashwagandha as an analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-malarial, among other uses.
Ethnomedicine also attributes Ashwagandha a positive effect in other diseases such as:
- Diseases of the liver (e.g. hepatitis) and kidneys (such as kidney stones).
- Urinary problems such as pain when urinating (dysuria).
- Joint inflammation (arthritis)
- Fibromyalgia
- Cough, bronchitis, asthma
- Digestive disorders
- Headache, migraine
- Paralysis
- Diabetes
- Infectious diseases such as influenza, smallpox, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, and worm infections.
- Cancer
- general physical or mental weakness
Scientific research
Whether and through which mechanisms Ashwagandha could actually have healing effects has been and is being investigated in many preclinical studies (e.g. in the test tube, on animals) and partly also in studies with humans.
The results indicate that, depending on the plant extract used or the composition and content of the ingredients, Withania somnifera may have the following effects, among others:
- nerve-protective (neuroprotective)
- heart protective (cardioprotective)
- antioxidant, i.e. effective against oxidative stress – caused by aggressive oxygen compounds that damage cell structures such as the power plants (mitochondria) and the genetic material (DNA)
- immunomodulating, i.e. influencing immune reactions
- Blood sugar-lowering (hypoglycemic) in diabetes
- antimicrobial, i.e. effective against microbes such as bacteria, viruses or fungi
- anti-inflammatory
- antidepressant
- anxiety-relieving
- stress relieving
The following are some selected research findings on the potential effectiveness of ashwagandha for specific health problems.
Before ashwagandha can actually be recommended for the treatment of certain diseases, further and more comprehensive studies are needed – also on possible toxic (poisonous) effects.
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s & Co.
Studies suggest that ashwagandha has nerve-protective (neuroprotective) effects in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. In these diseases, the structure and function of the central nervous system slowly and progressively deteriorate.
Various mechanisms can be considered for the positive effect of ashwagandha in neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers often attribute the effect to the fact that the sleeping berry can restore the function of the cellular power plants (mitochondria) and at the same time reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Sleep disorders, anxiety, stress
Various studies suggest that ashwagandha can promote sleep and improve sleep quality. For a final assessment, larger studies are needed – also on the safety of the application.
This also applies to the administration of ashwagandha against anxiety and stress. Several studies provide positive evidence of a corresponding effect. Among other things, it was shown that ashwagandha has an effect on various hormones – among other things, the medicinal plant can reduce the level of the stress hormone cortisol according to studies.
Heart disease
Studies support a heart-protective (cardioprotective) effect of the sleeping berry: extracts from ashwagandha, for example, counteract oxidative stress and programmed cell death (apoptosis).
This could be beneficial in the event of a heart attack, for example, or help prevent one. However, this must be investigated in more detail in further studies.
Infertility
Through various mechanisms, ashwagandha exerts a positive effect on male and female fertility. The amount of steroid hormones (such as testosterone) increases and sexual stress – i.e. fears, worries and frustration with regard to one’s sexual activity – decreases. This has been proven in studies with men and women.
Sperm can apparently also benefit directly from ashwagandha. In studies with men, for example, researchers observed an increased quantity and motility of sperm cells under regular ashwagandha use. The medicinal plant’s ability to reduce cell-damaging oxidative stress probably plays a role here.
Menopause
Ashwagandha may also benefit menopausal women – at least that is what the results of a study with 91 participants suggest. According to the study, a root extract was able to alleviate mild to moderate menopausal symptoms in perimenopause. However, further studies must still confirm this effect.
Diabetes
Studies in humans indicate that ashwagandha can lower blood glucose levels. This hypoglycemic effect was also shown in tests on rats with diabetes.
In addition, animal studies have shown, among other things, that certain extracts of the dormouse berry can lower long-term blood glucose levels (HbA1C) and improve the response of cells to insulin (insulin sensitivity).
Infections
According to research, extracts from various parts of the plant of Ashwagandha are effective against various pathogens.
For example, a certain leaf extract proved effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria of the MRSA type obtained from pus samples. It was also effective against other pathogens – such as typhoid bacteria. The effect was due, among other things, to the fact that the leaf extract acted as a cytotoxin and boosted immune responses.
Other extracts from Withania somnifera were able, for example, to reduce the amount of malaria pathogens in diseased mice or to slow the growth of dangerous fungi such as Aspergillus flavus.
In addition, ashwagandha has emerged in various preliminary studies as a potential agent against Sars-CoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19: for example, an ingredient from the root can inhibit an enzyme that the viruses need to replicate.
Another ingredient can bind to the spike protein on the surface of Sars-CoV-2 – the protein that the virus uses to dock onto body cells in order to introduce its genetic material.
Further studies need to show whether ashwagandha can indeed be used to develop an effective drug against covid-19.
Cancer
Ashwagandha showed first promising effects against cancer cells. For example, different extracts triggered programmed cell death in different cancer cell lines.
In other experiments, an ashwagandha extract inhibited the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), as cancer tumors need for their rapid growth.
It remains to be clarified whether studies on humans can confirm these results.
Active ingredients in ashwagandha
The biologically active ingredients of ashwagandha are withanolides (partly also bound to sugar as so-called withanolide glycosides) and alkaloids.
The amount and composition of these active ingredients can vary depending on what part of the plant it is (e.g., root, leaves) and in what geographic region a plant was grown.
Wild and cultivated ashwagandha plants may also differ in their content of individual active ingredients.
Last but not least, the composition of the ingredients in a sleeping berry preparation also depends on the process used to extract the substances from the plant.
Ashwagandha: side effects
Some people react to the intake of ashwagandha root with side effects. These include mainly diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
More rarely develop, for example:
- Drowsiness
- hallucinogenic effects
- nasal congestion
- Dry mouth
- Cough
- Lack of appetite
- Constipation
- Hyperactivity
- night cramps
- blurred vision
- Rashes
Ashwagandha triggering weight gain also happens less frequently.
Possible effects on liver and thyroid gland
Liver damage resulting from the use of sleeping berry preparations has also been reported in isolated cases. Possible causes are genetic damage caused by substances formed during the metabolism of ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha possibly influences the function of the thyroid gland. From animal studies, for example, an increase in thyroid hormones is known. In a study with people suffering from bipolar disorder – another ethnomedical application of Withania somnifera – a slight change in thyroid levels was observed.
Because ashwagandha could cause side effects in the liver and affect thyroid function, be sure to discuss its use with your health care provider in advance if you have liver or thyroid disease.
Ashwagandha: intake and dosage
Different plant parts and preparations (with different active ingredient content) of Ashwagandha are in use. General information on dosage is therefore not possible – especially since the effectiveness and safe use are still the subject of research.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has prepared a scientific single presentation (monograph) on ashwagandha root (2005). As dosage are named therein:
- for medicinal use, three to six grams of the dried and ground root per day
- for use against stress twice daily 250 mg
In the EU and Switzerland, only dietary supplements containing ashwagandha are available – based, for example, on the dried, ground root or on standardized extracts (e.g., as capsules or tablets). The manufacturers specify their own dosages for these.
Discuss the use and dosage of Ashwagandha with your doctor in advance. This is especially true if you have pre-existing conditions, are using medication, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding your child.
Ashwagandha: Interactions
When taking ashwagandha, interactions with various medications and other substances cannot be ruled out.
Thus, the sleeping berry can enhance the effect of barbiturates. These drugs have a sleep-promoting, sedative and anticonvulsant effect. They are therefore used, among other things, for sleep disorders, states of agitation, epilepsy and for anesthesia.
In principle, the WHO advises against the simultaneous use of ashwagandha and tranquilizers (sedatives).
You should also not take alcohol and anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics) together with the sleeping berry.
Ashwagandha may affect the digoxin measurement: A doctor often treats heart failure and certain forms of cardiac arrhythmia with the active ingredient digoxin. During treatment, regular measurements of the digoxin level in the blood are necessary to check whether the dosage (continues to) fit.
Ashwagandha is structurally similar to digoxin. It can therefore influence the measurement: Depending on which so-called immunoassay is used as the analytical method for digoxin measurement, the measurement result may be falsely elevated or falsely depressed.
If you are using medication, you should discuss taking ashwagandha with your health care provider first.
Ashwagandha: pregnancy and lactation
In its 2005 Ashwagandha Monograph, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises against taking ashwagandha during pregnancy and lactation.
The recommendation at that time was based, on the one hand, on a lack of data on the safety of this application and, on the other hand, on the fact that the medicinal plant is used in traditional medicine as an abortifacient. Accordingly, it cannot be ruled out that ashwagandha application during pregnancy endangers the unborn child.
Recent studies with various extracts of Withenia somnifera, on the other hand, indicate that the medicinal plant should be safe for all ages and both sexes – even during pregnancy.
To be on the safe side, discuss the use of Ashwagandha during pregnancy and breastfeeding with your doctor first!
Interesting facts about Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae) – a plant family that also includes tomato, potato, cayenne pepper, tobacco plant, belladonna and datura.
The medicinal plant is common as a perennial woody herb or shrub in dry regions of the subtropics and tropics. It is found, for example, in the Mediterranean region, in North and South Africa, and in Southwest Asia.
In many places, ashwagandha is also cultivated as a medicinal plant, especially in India, where the plant is an important component of Ayurvedic medicine.
Horse smell
“Ashwagandha” (also Ashvagandha) is the Sanskrit name of Withania somnifera. It is composed of ashwa = horse and gandha = smell. The roots of the plant smell of horse. In German, Ashwagandha is therefore sometimes called horse root.
The second German name Schlafbeere (sleeping berry), like the Latin species name somnifera (from somnifer = sleep-inducing), recalls the sleep-promoting effect of the plant.
Other German names for Ashwagandha are Winter Cherry and Indian Ginseng.
Medicinal plant, cosmetic product, food
Ashwagandha is widely used worldwide in the health, food and cosmetics sectors: for medicinal purposes, people use the dried medicinal plant and various preparations such as tablets, ointments or aqueous extracts.
Foods based on the sleeping berry include energy drinks, teas, and dietary supplements.
In addition, various cosmetic companies rely on Ashwagandha: The positive effect on skin and hair is exploited, for example, for anti-wrinkle preparations and shampoos.
