Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Cholesterol (high)

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of health conditions, but its use for managing high cholesterol is primarily supported by emerging scientific evidence rather than ancient tradition. Several animal and human studies have investigated ashwagandha’s potential lipid-lowering effects. The proposed mechanisms include antioxidant activity, reduction of lipid peroxidation, and improvement in hepatic lipid metabolism.

Small-scale clinical trials have shown that ashwagandha root extract may help reduce total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides in individuals with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in 2012 found significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL after 60 days of supplementation. Animal studies have similarly reported improvements in lipid profiles.

Despite these promising results, the overall quality and quantity of evidence are limited. Most clinical studies have small sample sizes, short durations, and sometimes lack rigorous controls. Larger, well-designed trials are needed to confirm these effects and to establish optimal dosing and safety for long-term use.

In summary, there is early scientific evidence supporting the use of ashwagandha for reducing high cholesterol, but the strength of this evidence is modest (rated 2 out of 5), and further research is necessary before it can be widely recommended as a standalone therapy.

More about ashwagandha
More about Cholesterol (high)

Other ingredients used for Cholesterol (high)

acai berry
ajoene
akkermansia muciniphila
alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
arjun tree
artichoke
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barberry
barley
basil
beet
berberine
bergamot
berry flavor
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
radish
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bonito peptide
broccoli
rice
brussel sprouts
burdock
bасора
calamari oil
campesterol
canola oil
carrot
cassia bark
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
celery
champignon
chia seed
chicory
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus pectin
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cottonseed oil
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gamma oryzanol
garcinia
garlic bulb
genistein
genistin
ginger
ginseng
glucomannan
gooseberry
grape
grapefruit
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guar gum
guggul
gurmar
hawthorn
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
inulin
knotweed
jujube
kale
krill oil
kudzu
l-carnitine
l-taurine
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lecithin
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
maitake mushroom
mango
maqui berry
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
mustard seed
naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oat
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
orange
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
pantethine
pear
pectin
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytosterols
pine bark
plant sterols
plum fruit
policosanol
pollen
pomegranate
pomelo
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
quercetin
quinoa
raspberry
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
rutin
rye
safflower oil
sardines
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
sitostanol
soybean
spinach
spirulina
sterols
stevia
stigmasterol
strawberry
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
seaweed
wasabia japonica
water
watermelon
wheat grass
whey protein
mulberry
xylooligosaccharides
yeast
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
red clover
jiaogulan
tangerine
atractylodes
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
pterocarpus marsupium
alpinia galangal
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
caesalpinia crista
swertia
bee pollen
lingzhi
morus
lemongrass
sunflower
root tuber
ferulic acid
dioscorea
ganoderma
morinda
zanthoxylum
birch
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
polyphenols
purslane
yerba mate
wheat germ
noni
nopal
goji berry
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
kidney beans
cocoa
chickpea protein
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
Alcohol
Arjuna
Apple Cider Vinegar
Ankaflavin
Angelica
acacia
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Andrographolide
Avocado
Aspergillus
Ascophyllum nodosum
Aegeline
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Adzuki bean
Ampelopsin
Alpha phytosterol
Algal protein
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
Arabinoxylan
Argan nut oil
Allium tuberosum
alpha Methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Brutieridin
Breadnut
Brown Algae
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Bran
Black galingale
Berberis (unspecified)
Bitter Grass
Baicalein
Bael
Bean
biochanin
Basidiomycota
Bauhinia
Brazil nut
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Bacteria
Blue-Green Alage
Baobab
Bifidobacteria
bile acid
Bacillus
bacoside
Buckwheat
Bassia scoparia
Bignay
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Chia seed
Cumin
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Charantin
Curry leaf
Cowpea
California chia
Cardarine
Cinnamomum
Chitosan
Cyanobacteria
Carqueja
Cloudberry
Capsinoids
Chebulic acid
Camelina Oil
Cod Liver Oil
Coriander
Cactus
Campestanol
Capillary Artemisia
Cashew
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Chinese Fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cynarin
Cereal grass
Cruciferous
Cyclanthera pedata
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Curcumen
Chordaria cladosiphon
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Carob
Cabbage
Chitin
Clostridium butyricum
Cinnamaldehyde
Crocetin
Costus
Crypthecodinium
Carnosic acid
Diacylglycerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Dunaliella
Dextrin
Dumontiaceae
Daidzein
Dragon Fruit
Date
Diterpenes
Eriocitrin
eggplant
Emblicanin
Endive
Erythrodiol
Eucheuma
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Euglena gracilis
Eucommia ulmoides
Echium
Ecklonia
Enokitake
Fig
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Flammulina velutipes
Garlic
Isoflavones
Lotus
Milk Protein
Prickly Pear Cactus
peanut
Pistachio
Quinoa Protein
Rhubarb
Soy Protein
Sumac
Vinegar
walnut
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