Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Anemia

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for a wide range of health issues, including anemia. In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is considered a "Rasayana" or rejuvenating herb and is often prescribed to help increase vitality, strength, and overall well-being. For anemia specifically, traditional practitioners have used ashwagandha in combination with other herbs and dietary interventions to support blood health and improve hemoglobin levels. The rationale is often based on the herb's reputed ability to enhance energy, nourish body tissues, and promote healthy blood formation.

From a scientific standpoint, the evidence supporting ashwagandha for anemia is limited but not entirely absent. Some animal studies have shown that ashwagandha extracts may increase hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count, likely due to its antioxidant properties and potential effects on erythropoiesis (the production of red blood cells). However, rigorous clinical trials in humans are lacking, and most available studies are either small, preliminary, or focused on broader adaptogenic effects rather than direct treatment of anemia. Therefore, while traditional use is well-established, scientific validation remains weak, and ashwagandha should not be considered a stand-alone treatment for anemia in the absence of further evidence.

More about ashwagandha
More about Anemia

Other ingredients used for Anemia

alfalfa
amino acids
anchovies
apple
ashwagandha
astragalus
beet
black cumin
sesame
blackberry
bovine
bovine liver
bovine spleen
broccoli
brussel sprouts
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
chlorella
coconut milk
collard
cordyceps
dog rose
dong quai root
fish protein
folate
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fu ling
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
Indian tinospora
iron
jujube
kale
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lactoferrin
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
maca
mackerel
moringa
nettle
oat
orange
oyster mushroom
parsley
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
pomelo
protein
pumpkin
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
redcurrant
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
sardines
shiitake mushroom
soybean
spinach
spirulina
tomato
triphala
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
watercress
wheat grass
mulberry
yeast
zinc
suma
tangerine
shen-chu
mugwort
nut grass
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
morus
root tuber
cistanche
dodder
ganoderma
hyacinth bean
lotus seed
morinda
trichosanthes
dulse leaf
royal jelly
trace minerals
purslane
fulvic acid
aster root
shepherd's purse
wheat germ
biota seed
goji berry
paw paw
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
kidney beans
chickpea protein
17beta-[{1-Ketoethyl}-androsta-1, 4-diene-3-one,17a-ol]
17a-di methyl-bol
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Animal Tissue
Ardisia
Angelica
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Abrus
Alchornea
Autumn Olive
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
Astragaloside
Adzuki bean
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Algal protein
Abalone
Allium tuberosum
Animal protein
Bermuda Grass
Bidens pilosa
Breadnut
Blepharis
Beef Protein
Butea monosperma
Beef
Beef liver
Buffalo
Bok Choy
Bone Marrow
Bovine Protein
Bael
Bean
Butternut
berry
Black Gram
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Broad Bean
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Blue-Green Alage
banana
Baobab
Buckwheat
Boerhavia diffusa
Bird's nest
Cumin
Cowpea
Codonopsis
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyathula
Cashew
Citrus
Cereal grass
Chlorophytum
Chard
Chicken
Curcuma
C-Phycocyanin
Canihua
Cuttlefish
Chestnut
Cytokines
Cassava
Celosia
Currant
Duodenum
Deer Root
Dehydroascorbic acid
Dragon Fruit
Dong Quai
Dolichos
Date
Dulse
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Empresstree
Egg
Eclipta
European-Five Finger Grass
Embelia
Fig
Folinic Acid
Folic Acid
Fruit
Ferritin
Fo-Ti
Fish
Ferric Ammonium Citrate
Fagopyrum
Foxtail millet
Ferric citrate
Ferric orthophosphate
Ginsenosides
Garden Cress
Garbanzo bean
Little ironweed
Molasses
Metal Salt
Shellfish
Zucchini

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