Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for a wide range of conditions, primarily stress and anxiety-related disorders. Its use in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), however, is primarily supported by emerging scientific evidence rather than longstanding traditional practice. The rationale for its application in OCD is rooted in its purported anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and neuroprotective effects, likely mediated through modulation of neurotransmitter systems such as GABA and serotonin, and reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain.

A few small-scale clinical studies and animal models have examined the effects of ashwagandha on symptoms related to OCD. For example, a 2016 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that ashwagandha extract, as an adjunct to standard treatment, resulted in a greater reduction in OCD symptoms compared to placebo, although the sample size was limited. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that ashwagandha may reduce compulsive and anxiety-like behaviors in animal models, possibly by modulating cortico-striatal pathways implicated in OCD.

Despite these promising findings, the overall quality and quantity of evidence remain low, with limited large-scale, high-quality clinical trials conducted to date. Therefore, while there is preliminary scientific validation for the use of ashwagandha in OCD, the evidence is insufficient to support its widespread use as a primary treatment, and more rigorous studies are needed.

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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