Ashwagandha (Alaina Albrecht, Purdue College of Pharmacy

Ashwagandha

Alaina Albrecht, Student pharmacist Spring 2022

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-ashwagandha

Scientific Name of Supplement Available Forms

Common Names of Supplement

Withania Somnifera (L.) Dunal

• Amangura • Amukkirag • Asgand • Asundha • Indian ginseng • Kanaje Hindi • Kuthmithi • Samm al ferakh • Winter Cherry • Withania

Typical Dose

https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com

For stress: 240mg of standardized ashwagandha once daily. Can be titrated up to 500mg twice daily for 10-12 weeks.

For insomnia: 300mg twice daily of root extract for 10-12 weeks. • Capsules • Elixirs

• Paste • Powders • Tablets • Root extract (dried)

Common Uses

• Stress • Insomnia • Memory loss • Sexual balance

Pharmacology

The steroidal lactones in ashwagandha have adaptogenic and immunomodulating effects. Anticonvulsant effects can occur via a GABA-ergic mechanism and can occur by decreased glycosaminoglycan content. Antibiotic effects have also been reported.

Background/ History

Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs of Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine). It is a shrub that grows to about 1.5M in height, has long tuberous roots, and has yellowish flowers that can grow in clusters or by themselves. The fruit of this plant is orange, smooth, round, and fleshy, with many seeds. Its use can be traced back to 6000 BC when it was used as a Rasayana, when herbals promote a youthful state, mental and physical health, and expand overall happiness. The root smells like a horse (‘ashwa’), where its name comes from. It has been used for emaciation in children, rheumatism, insomnia, stress, constipation, debility from old age, etc. It is commonly available as a churna, a fine powder that can be mixed with water or honey.

https://www.maryruthorganics.com

Ashwagandha

Alaina Albrecht, Student pharmacist Spring 2022

Interactions

Moderate interactions for the following: • Anti-diabetes drugs (could increase risk of hypoglycemia) • Antihypertensive drugs (could increase risk of hypertension) • Benzodiazepines (sedative effect) • CNS depressants (sedative effect) • Immunosuppressants (could decrease the effects of immunosuppressants) • Thyroid hormone drugs (increases adverse effects of thyroid hormone) Effective for both stress and insomnia.

Effectiveness

Safety Concerns

Do not use while pregnant or breast feeding as it is likely unsafe and possibly an abortifacient.

Do not use when autoimmune diseases are present such as lupus, MS or RA because it could flare up those conditions.

Adverse Effects

At large doses: • Liver injury • Diarrhea https://en.wikipedia.org

• GI upset and Vomiting • Decreased body temperature • CNS and respiratory depression

Professional Opinion

I feel that this product is safe and would be effective for both insomnia and stress management. After reading through many different database monographs and articles, I feel that the minor adverse effects that can occur from taking Ashwagandha do not outweigh the benefits that have been seen for thousands of years. ~A. Albrecht

Summary of Study

According to “An overview on ashwagandha: A Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda” withania somnifera (WS) is an herb of the Indian Ayurveda system and is used for several diseases as a nervine tonic. In experimental models, WS increased stamina in rats and prevented adrenal gland changes of ascorbic acid. WS showed significant protection against stress-induced gastric changes. WS was useful in children with memory deficits and in older people with memory loss. It has GABA mimetic effect and was shown to promote the formation of dendrites. It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent useful in RA and OA clinical cases.

Ashwagandha. Lexi-Drugs. Lexicomp. Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Riverwoods, IL. Accessed February 20, 2022. http://online.lexi.com. Ashwagandha. IBM Micromedex Solutions. Truven Health Analytics, Inc. Ann Arbor, MI. Accessed February 20, 2022. http://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Ashwagandha: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing, and reviews. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono953/ashwagandha. Accessed February 23, 2022. Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on ashwagandha: A Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines: AJTCAM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/. Published 2011. Accessed February 23, 2022.