Ashwagandha - Uses, Benefits and Side Effects

If you experience severe stress or anxiety, chances are you’ve tried multiple things to curb those feelings. If you’ve tapped into the supplement or herbal industries, you’ve likely heard of ashwagandha and its ability to curb some levels of stress and anxiety. But, just how effective is ashwagandha in treating those symptoms, and what else can it do?

What is ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is in the Solanaceae plant family. It is a green, leafy plant with medium-brown roots and is frequently used in supplemental and medicinal form.

Other common names for this plant include:

Winter cherry
Poison gooseberry
Indian ginseng

Benefits

Perhaps the most common benefit of ashwagandha is its potential to reduce stress. MedlinePlus states this benefit is substantiated by some evidence, particularly if people take it routinely for about two months.

Other potential benefits of ashwagandha that are not completely backed up by evidence include but are not limited to:

Anxiety reduction, including anxiety in people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and/or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Blood sugar reduction in people with diabetes
Cholesterol reduction
Brain function improvement in people with bipolar disorder
Sleep improvement – does Ashwagandha make you sleepy?
Improvement for those with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Inflammation reduction

Again, please be aware the benefits mentioned above are only potential, and it is absolutely critical to talk to your primary care physician before incorporating ashwagandha into your daily diet. Your doctor will be able to best determine its effectiveness, as well as any risks, to your health.

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Side Effects

MedlinePlus also states a variety of potential side effects of taking ashwagandha, including but not limited to:

Stomach ulcer interactions resulting in gastrointestinal issues
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Digestive problems
Dangerously low blood sugar levels, particularly for people with diabetes
Dangerously increased thyroid hormone levels, which can harm people with thyroid disorders

Please note this list is not comprehensive, and side effects may differ from one individual to another. Always consult your doctor before taking ashwagandha so you are aware of potential risks and side effects.

How to Take Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha comes in many forms. It is up to you and your healthcare provider to determine the safest, healthiest way to consume it. It can come as follows:

Pills/capsules
Powder

Dosage

How much ashwagandha per day should you take? – Ashwagandha has the potential to interact with certain medications and medical conditions, as mentioned above. MedlinePlus states the following medications can negatively interact with ashwagandha:

Immunosuppressants
High blood pressure medications
Diabetes medications
Sedatives
Thyroid medications
Certain herbs and supplements

For this reason, ask your doctor or another health professional about personalized dosing instructions, even if supplement packaging outlines specific dosing instructions.

Final Thoughts

Before taking ashwagandha, safety should be your top priority. Because not all evidence is conclusive on the effectiveness of and potential dangers of taking ashwagandha, it is critical to speak with your doctor accordingly. Remember:

Ashwagandha may interact with certain medications and medical conditions
Ashwagandha may affect everyone differently
More research needs to be done in order to fully understand the effectiveness of ashwagandha

Furthermore, when purchasing products that contain ashwagandha, look to the packaging labels for more information, especially:

What, if any, government labels the package has to determine the level of regulation and testing the product underwent
Other ingredients in the product you could be sensitive to

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute professional medical advice, nor can it replace the advice of a licensed professional.