Ashwagandha, aka ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ข ๐ด๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ช๐ง๐ฆ๐ณ๐ข, is an herb that has been used in ayurvedic medicine for over 3000 years.
Common uses for ashwagandha include: ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐, ๐ณ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ด๐๐ฒ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐, ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ผ๐บ๐ป๐ถ๐ฎ, ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ด๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐.
In a 8 week double-blind randomized, placebo control trial of 64 subjects, ashwagandha was noted to improve chronic stress. Stress was assessed by using subjective assessment scales and cortisol level.
As a true adaptogen, this herb is believed to improve the bodyโs response to stress.
It is generally quite safe but it may have an additive effect with medications commonly used for diabetes, high blood pressure, and anti-depressants. It may also be potentially harmful in people who have prostate cancer, so best to avoid.
Dosing may vary depending on the type of extract. Generally, a safe starting dose is 300mg daily with gradual increase. Because this herb can be mildly sedating, I recommend starting at night first.
Until next time,
Shiven Chaudhry, MD
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