Ashwagandha

Jilian Banzon, Student Pharmacist, Spring 2023

Scientific name of supplement/Common names

Scientific name: Withania somnifera

Common names: Winter Cherry, Peyette, Ginseng Indien, and Ghoda Asoda

Background/History

Ashwagandha is a medicine herb from the Ayurveda system It is a versatile herb that is talked about as having a nourishing tonic effect like ginseng and various health-promoting effects on the roots and fruits Ashwagandha has been around since 6000 B C It's native to Asian and African countries, these countries are India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China

Common/Purported uses

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen plant, which means it boosts flexibility and resilience to a variety of conditions. Ashwagandha is most commonly known for reducing stress and anxiety. Some purported uses about ashwagandha are its uses for stress, insomnia, ADHD, asthma, COPD, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes

Pharmacology/mechanism of action

There is insufficient reliable information available about the pharmacokinetics of ashwagandha. There isn't an official mechanism of action for ashwagandha, but there is a common purposed mechanism of action and it is based on its stabilizing effect on the HPA axis where it becomes less reactive to stressors. It has been shown that Ashwagandha reduces morning cortisol and DHEA-S levels suggesting Ashwagandha has a moderating effect on HPA axis activity in stressed adults. This mechanism of action is focused on the ashwagandha's antianxiety effects.

Dosage Forms

Ashwagandha only comes in one dosage form and it is orally For the oral formulations, it can come in capsules and chewable gummies as well

Typical dosing/serving

For adult dosing ashwagandha has most often been used in doses of up to 1000 mg daily for up to 12 weeks There is no typical dosing for children

Effectiveness

Ashwagandha may possibly be effective for insomnia and stress use.

Ashwagandha has insufficient evidence for it's use in aging, anxiety, ADHD, asthma, COPD, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes.

Safety concerns/warnings/toxicity

Safety concerns: considered possibly safe, when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Ashwagandha has been used with apparent safety in doses of up to 1250 mg daily for up to 6 months

Warnings: Ashwagandha is sometimes substituted or adulterated with a similar plant, Withania coagulans.

Toxicity: There is possible pregnancy and lactation toxicities associated with ashwagandha. It is considered to have abortifacient effects.

Adverse effects/side effects

Most common side effects with ashwagandha are diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and vomiting. However, these adverse effects do not commonly occur with typical doses. There are some concerns for liver injury with ashwagandha treatment.

Interactions (drug, food)

Drug interactions: antidiabetic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, benzodiazepines, CNS depressants, immunosuppressants, and thyroid hormone drugs

Food interactions: herbs and supplements with hypotensive effects and sedative properties

Clinical trial of Ashwagandha

A study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of naturopathic care on anxiety symptoms using a randomized trial The naturopathic care group received dietary counseling, deep breathing relaxation techniques, a standard multi-vitamin, and ashwagandha for up to 12 weeks The naturopathic group reported increased benefits in mental health, concentration, fatigue, social functioning, vitality, and overall quality of life These were based on a questionnaire that is designed to measure subjective symptoms of anxiety, as well as discriminate between anxiety and depression No serious adverse reactions were observed in either group

Professional opinion

In my professional opinion , I believe ashwagandha is an interesting supplement and may have medical benefits I believe people should definitely do their own research when considering using this supplement because the mechanism of how it works is still not fully understood It is hard to distinguish what absolute medical benefits this drug may have, but this calls for more possible studies that can focus on proving the purposed medical uses for ashwagandha

~ J Banzon

References

Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med

2011;8(5 Suppl):208-213 doi:10 4314/ajtcam v8i5S 9

Cooley K, Szczurko O, Perri D, Mills EJ, Bernhardt B, Zhou Q, Seely D

Naturopathic care for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial

ISRCTN78958974 PLoS One 2009 Aug 31;4(8):e6628 doi: 10 1371/journal pone 0006628 PMID: 19718255; PMCID: PMC2729375

Ashwagandha Natural medicines - databases https://naturalmedicines therapeuticresearch com/databases aspx

Accessed February 25, 2023

Ashwagandha - Overview, history, uses, benefits, precaution, dosage Bhumija Lifesciences https://www bhumijalifesciences com/blogs/news/ashwagandhaoverview-history-uses-benefits-precautiondosage#:~:text=History%20of%20Ashwagandha&text=It%20is%20traced %20back%20to,impressed%20with%20it%20years%20back

Accessed February 25, 2023