Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Alzheimer's Disease

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for various health conditions, including cognitive decline. Its application in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is primarily supported by preclinical scientific research rather than robust clinical evidence. Animal and cell culture studies suggest that ashwagandha root extracts and withanolides (its key active compounds) may exert neuroprotective effects relevant to AD. These effects include reducing amyloid-beta plaque accumulation, enhancing antioxidant defenses, decreasing neuroinflammation, and improving synaptic function. In transgenic mouse models of AD, ashwagandha has been shown to improve memory and learning and reduce pathological hallmarks associated with the disease. Proposed mechanisms involve modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, and promotion of neurite outgrowth. However, the translation of these preclinical findings to human subjects remains limited. Only a few small-scale human studies have evaluated ashwagandha’s effects on cognitive function, and these usually involve healthy older adults or those with mild cognitive impairment—not patients with diagnosed Alzheimer’s Disease. These trials report modest improvements in memory and executive function but do not provide direct evidence for disease modification in AD. In summary, while ashwagandha shows promise in laboratory settings, high-quality clinical trials in Alzheimer’s patients are lacking. Thus, its use for AD is justified by preclinical scientific evidence, but current support in humans is weak (evidence rating: 2/5).

More about ashwagandha
More about Alzheimer's Disease

Other ingredients used for Alzheimer's Disease

2-(carbamimidoyl-methyl-amino) ethoxyphosphonic acid
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acacetin
Acai berry
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetylcholine
Agmatine
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
amentoflavone
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
aniracetam
anserine
anthocyanins
apigenin
apocynin
Aronia melanocarpa
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragaloside
avocado
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalein
baicalin
Basidiomycota
benfotiamine
berberine
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium longum
bilobalide
black garlic
black seed
black tea
blueberry
brahmi
broccoli
butylphthalide
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
C-phycocyanin
caffeic Acid
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
caprylic acid
carnosic acid
Carnosine
caryophyllene
catalpol
catechins
centrophenoxine
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
cistanche
citicoline
cocoa
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Convolvulus prostratus
creatine
crocetin
crocin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cyanidin
cyclodextrin
cytidine
d-alpha tocopherol
decursin
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dihydrolipoic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
Ecklonia
eicosapentaenoic acid
ellagic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
estrogen
fatty acids
ferulic acid
fisetin
fish
fish oil
fish protein
flavanols
flavanones
flavans
flavones
flavonoids
flavonols
flavonones
fo-ti
fungus
galantamine
gallate
gallic acid
gamma tocopherol
ganoderma
garcinol
gastrodia
gastrodin
genistein
ginkgetin
ginkgo biloba
ginkgo flavone glycoside
ginkgoheteroside
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glucoraphanin
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
grape
green tea
Gypenoside
hemp
hemp oil
herbal blend (proprietary)
Hericenones
hericium mushroom
hesperetin
hesperidin
Homotaurine
Honokiol
huperzine A
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
icariin
iridoids
isoliquiritigenin
isovitexin
Kaempferol
ketone salts
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
L-serine
L-theanine
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lingzhi
lion's mane
lipids
lutein
luteolin
Lycium
lycopene
magnesium
magnolol
malvidin
mangiferin
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Maslinic acid
Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Melatonin
Methoxylated flavones
Methylcobalamin
Monoterpenes
Monounsaturated fat
Morus
Mulberroside A
Mulberry
Myricetin
Myricitrin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
NADH
Naringenin
Naringin
Nervonic acid
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
Norvaline
Oleuropein
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
oyster mushroom
paeoniflorin
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Peptides
phenolic compounds
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
Phycocyanin
phytocannabinoids
Phytoestrogens
Piperine
Polydatin
Polygala
polygala root
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
pregnenolone
punicalagins
Pycnogenol
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
S-allylcysteine
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sarcosine
Schisandrins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
selenium
Selenocysteine
Shankhpushpi
Shilajit
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Soy
soy isoflavones
Stilbenoid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Syringic acid
Tangeretin
Taurine
Taxifolin
terpene lactones
Terpenoids
Theaflavin
Tinospora cordifolia
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
Trehalose
Tremella
tributyrin
Triterpenes
Tumerone
turmeric
Turmerones
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Uridine
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
Vinpocetine
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Walnut
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthohumol
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)

Other health conditions supported by ashwagandha

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Afterbirth Pain
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Anger (excessive)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bedwetting
Body Building
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Concentration (poor)
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Fatigue
Fear (excessive)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Goiter
Grief and Sadness
Hair (graying)
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Hysteria
Infertility
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritability
Leucorrhea
Lyme Disease
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Mental Illness
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Nightmares
Nocturnal Emission
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Premature Ejaculation
Prolapsed Uterus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sex Drive (low)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Syphilis
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Thinking (cloudy)
TMJ
Tremors
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Vitiligo
Weight Gain
Weight Loss
Worry
Wounds and Sores