Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Nervous Exhaustion

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, where it is considered a rasayana, or rejuvenating tonic, often recommended for conditions described as “nervous exhaustion,” including fatigue, stress, and weakness. The traditional rationale is that ashwagandha acts as an adaptogen, helping the body resist physical and mental stress and restore vitality. Ancient texts refer to its use for calming the nervous system, supporting restful sleep, and improving energy levels, especially in cases of convalescence or chronic fatigue.

Modern scientific studies have begun to explore these effects, focusing on ashwagandha’s impact on stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Several clinical trials suggest that ashwagandha root extract can reduce perceived stress and improve self-reported energy and well-being in adults under chronic stress. However, while these findings are promising, the specific concept of “nervous exhaustion” is rooted in historical medical frameworks rather than modern diagnostic categories, making direct scientific validation challenging. Nevertheless, the traditional foundation for ashwagandha’s use in nervous exhaustion, combined with emerging evidence for its adaptogenic and anxiolytic properties, provides moderate support for its continued use in this context.

In summary, while the use of ashwagandha for nervous exhaustion is primarily justified by tradition, scientific studies provide some corroboration for its benefits in stress reduction and fatigue, warranting a moderate evidence rating.

More about ashwagandha
More about Nervous Exhaustion

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