Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Fibromyalgia Syndrome

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, primarily for its adaptogenic and stress-reducing properties. The use of ashwagandha for Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is grounded more in traditional practice than robust scientific validation. In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is believed to strengthen the body, reduce fatigue, and support the nervous system, which are all relevant to symptoms experienced in FMS such as widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. However, there is limited direct evidence from clinical studies specifically examining ashwagandha’s effects in people with fibromyalgia.

A handful of small studies and case reports suggest ashwagandha may help reduce stress, improve sleep, and alleviate mild pain—benefits that could, in theory, help FMS patients. Some randomized controlled trials have shown ashwagandha can lower cortisol levels and improve quality of life in patients with chronic stress or anxiety, which are often comorbid with fibromyalgia. However, these studies do not directly address FMS as a primary diagnosis.

Overall, while ashwagandha has a long history of use for general symptoms overlapping with those of fibromyalgia, the direct evidence supporting its efficacy for FMS is modest and largely extrapolated from its effects on stress and fatigue. More targeted research is needed to confirm its role in fibromyalgia management.

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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