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

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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, including as a general tonic and adaptogen. More recently, it has gained attention for its potential effects on thyroid function, specifically hypothyroidism. A few small clinical studies and animal experiments suggest that ashwagandha may stimulate thyroid hormone production. For example, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2018 (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine) reported that ashwagandha supplementation (600 mg daily for 8 weeks) improved serum TSH, T3, and T4 levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism compared to placebo. The proposed mechanisms include modulation of oxidative stress, reduction of chronic inflammation, and direct stimulation of thyroid hormone synthesis.

However, the overall quality and quantity of the evidence are limited. Most studies have small sample sizes, short durations, and there is a lack of large-scale, long-term clinical trials in overt hypothyroidism. While traditional use in Ayurveda may be relevant, scientific validation is still emerging and not robust enough to make strong clinical recommendations. Therefore, the evidence rating is 2 out of 5: there is preliminary scientific support, but it is not yet conclusive, and more research is needed to establish efficacy and safety for hypothyroid patients.

More about ashwagandha
More about Hypothyroid

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