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

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an herb widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, has a long history of use for promoting relaxation and improving sleep. Traditionally, ashwagandha is considered a "rasayana" or rejuvenating herb, often recommended for stress and sleep issues. In recent years, scientific interest in ashwagandha’s effects on insomnia has grown. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated ashwagandha root extract for its potential to improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia symptoms. For instance, a 2020 double-blind RCT published in the journal Cureus found that 300 mg of ashwagandha extract twice daily significantly improved sleep quality and reduced sleep onset latency over eight weeks compared to placebo. Other studies have reported benefits in both healthy individuals and those with diagnosed insomnia, noting improvements in sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and subjective sleep quality.

The proposed mechanisms include ashwagandha’s ability to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, reduce cortisol levels, and interact with GABAergic signaling, all of which can promote relaxation and facilitate sleep. However, while the evidence is promising, most studies have been relatively small and of short duration. Larger and longer-term studies are needed to fully establish efficacy and safety.

In summary, ashwagandha is supported by both traditional use and a growing body of clinical evidence for insomnia, earning a moderate scientific evidence rating.

More about ashwagandha
More about Insomnia

Other ingredients used for Insomnia

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
Agarwood
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Albizia
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-terpineol
amber
amino acids
anamu
anemarrhena asphodeloides
Anemone
Angelica
anise
apigenin
Aralia
Arani
ashwagandha
aster root
atractylone
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
banyan
bayleaf
benegut perilla (proprietary)
betony
big quaking grass
black cumin
black seed
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
brahmi
Bupleurum
cactus
calamus
calcium
Calea zacatechichi
California poppy
cannabidiol
cannabinol
Capitate Valerian
carry me seed
Carthamus
cassia bark
catnip
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
chamomile
cherimoya
cherry
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
cinnamon
citron
Clary sage
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coptis chinensis
corktree
Corydalis
cowslip
Cyathula
Cymbopogon martini
David\'s milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
dragonhead
elephant\'s head
elk antler
Embelia
Erodium cicutarium
European Elder
fennel
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
Flueggea suffruticosa
frankincense
fringed pink
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
ganoderma
Gardenia jasminoides
Gelsemium
geraniol
giant blazingstar
Glycine
goji berry
gooseberry
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
heartwood
Homalomena
honeybush
hops
Indian frankincense
jasmine
Jatamansi
Jatoba
jujube
jujubosides
kava
kavalactones
kiwi
kudzu
Kukicha
L-tryptophan
labrador tea
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactucarium
Lady of the Night
Large-leaved linden
lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
lily
linalool
linden
Lindera
lingzhi
little ironweed
longan
loquat
Loranthus
lotus
lotus seed
lupulinum
Lycium
maca
Macaranga indica
mace
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
mallow
Marine lipid
Marjoram
Matapalo Tree
Melatonin
Mesua
Microtea debilis
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Moringa
Morning glory
Morus
Motherwort
Mulungu
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
orange
orchid
Oroxylum indicum
Osmanthus
Osthole
paeoniflorin
passionflower
Passionfruit
Patchouli oil
peach
perilla
Persimmon
phlorotannins
phytocannabinoids
Pimpinella
pollen
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonatum
Polygonum
polysaccharides
poppy
Portulaca
Premna
Pulsatilla
purslane
quail egg
Rauvolfia
reishi mushroom
rice
Rooibos
rose
rose oil
Rubiaceae
rue
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salvia
Sandalwood
Sarivan
Schisandrins
Scoparia dulcis
scrophularia root
Sedanenolide
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
Sensitive Plant
Shankhpushpi
silk tree
skullcap
soursop
Southernwood
Speedwell
Spikenard
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sumac
Sumbul
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
Sweet Orange alcohol
Sweet Woodruff
Sword Bean
Szechuan lovage
Tagara
Terminalia
Tetrahydropalmatine
Valerenic acid
Valerian root
Verbena
Vervain
Vetiver
vitamin B6
Walnut
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Withanolides
Wood betony
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Ylang ylang
Yuzu
Zinc

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