Studies have shown that Ashwagandha may also have anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential treatment for conditions such as arthritis and asthma. Additionally, it has been found to have a positive effect on male fertility, increasing sperm count and motility. However, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the benefits and potential side effects of Ashwagandha. History of Ashwagandha and Its Traditional Uses Ashwagandha dosage for balancing testosterone and supporting male fertility: between 300 milligrams of root extract twice daily to 5,000 milligrams/day. The researchers noted that compounds found in ashwagandha, including WA, have antioxidant effects in the brain, which may benefit cognitive health. Bhattacharya, S. K. and Muruganandam, A. V. Adaptogenic activity of Withania somnifera: an experimental study using a rat model of chronic stress. Pharmacol Biochem.Behav 2003;75(3):547-555. View abstract. Narra K, Naik SK, Ghatge AS. A Study of Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Lotion on Facial Skin in Photoaged Healthy Adults. Cureus 2023;15(3):e36168. View abstract.

Now that you know the main reasons that ashwagandha is taken, you’re probably wondering: What dosage of ashwagandha should I take? Ashwagandha dosage recommendations vary depending on the condition being treated. Deshpande A, Irani N, Balkrishnan R, Benny IR. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep quality in healthy adults. Sleep Med. 2020;72:28-36. View abstract. Kaur, K., Rani, G., Widodo, N., Nagpal, A., Taira, K., Kaul, S. C., and Wadhwa, R. Evaluation of the anti-proliferative and anti-oxidative activities of leaf extract from in vivo and in vitro raised Ashwagandha. Food Chem.Toxicol. 2004;42(12):2015-2020. View abstract. In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha has been used for more than 2,500 years for its thyroid-modulating, neuroprotective, anti-anxiety, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some of the many uses for ashwagandha include: Kumar P, Banik SP, Goel A, et al. Chemical, microbial and safety profiling of a standardized Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) extract and Withaferin A, a potent novel phytotherapeutic of the millennium. Functional Foods in Health and Disease. 2023;13(2):36-51. doi:10.31989/ffhd.v13i2.1071

As a result, it’s believed to be effective at helping reduce levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. It may also therefore potentially help with anxiety and depression too. A 2000 study suggested that the herb had a comparable anxiety-reducing effect with lorazepam, suggesting that ashwagandha might be as effective for reducing anxiety. However, the researchers conducted this study in mice, not humans. Davis L, Kuttan G. Suppressive effect of cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity by Withania somnifera extract in mice. J Ethnopharmacol 1998;62:209-14. View abstract. Biswal BM, Sulaiman SA, Ismail HC, Zakaria H, Musa KI. Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on the development of chemotherapy-induced fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Integr Cancer Ther. 2013;12(4):312-22. View abstract.

Chitre D, Nadkarni S, Jagtap N, et al. Phase III randomized clinical trial of BV-4051, an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation in moderate SARS-CoV-2 infections and its impact on inflammatory biomarkers. Phytother Res 2022. View abstract. Can help to alleviate menopause symptoms - Menopause is triggered when a woman’s ovaries cease production of estrogen, throwing the female body out of balance. Ashwagandha has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners for centuries to restore hormonal balance in perimenopausal women. Ashwagandha extracts are more refined than ashwagandha powder and can be created using water or chemicals. 6 Summary Its unusual name relates to the way it smells – ashwagandha roots smell like a horse, with ‘ashwa’ meaning horse. 1 These tube-like roots are harvested, dried and ground down into a powder. 2 Pérez-Gómez J, et al. (2020). Effects of ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) on VO 2max: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Kumar S, Bouic PJ, Rosenkranz B. Investigation of CYP2B6, 3A4 and ß-esterase interactions of Withania somnifera (L.) dunal in human liver microsomes and HepG2 cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;270:113766. View abstract. Praveenkumar, V., Kuttan, R., and Kuttan, G. Chemoprotective action of Rasayanas against cyclosphamide toxicity. Tumori 8-31-1994;80(4):306-308. View abstract. Bruno, L. O., et al. (2018). Pregnancy and herbal medicines: An unnecessary risk for women's health—A narrative review [Abstract]. Dhuley, J. N. Effect of ashwagandha on lipid peroxidation in stress-induced animals. J Ethnopharmacol. 1998;60(2):173-178. View abstract. Ashwagandha dosage for arthritis symptoms and reducing inflammation: starting at 250–500 milligrams/day.