Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Sex Drive (low)

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine for enhancing vitality and sexual function. Traditional texts describe it as a "Rasayana," an herb that rejuvenates and strengthens, including improving sexual health. In recent years, several scientific studies have investigated its effects on sexual function, particularly libido and sexual satisfaction, in both men and women.

Clinical trials in men with low sexual desire or infertility have shown that ashwagandha supplementation can significantly improve measures of sexual function, such as increased testosterone levels, improved sperm quality, and enhanced sexual desire. For example, a 2015 randomized controlled trial found that men taking ashwagandha root extract experienced higher testosterone levels and improved sexual well-being compared to placebo. Another study in 2022 reported improvements in sexual function in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder after 8 weeks of ashwagandha supplementation.

While these studies are promising, most have relatively small sample sizes and short durations. The mechanisms proposed include reduced stress and cortisol levels (which can negatively impact libido), improved hormonal balance, and enhanced blood flow. Overall, the evidence is stronger than for many herbal supplements but is not definitive; larger, high-quality trials are still needed. Therefore, ashwagandha's use for supporting low sex drive is justified by both tradition and emerging scientific evidence, with a moderate level of scientific support.

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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