Hemidesmus indicus, commonly known as Indian sarsaparilla, has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. In Ayurveda, it is valued for its supposed adaptogenic, cooling, and rejuvenating properties, and is included in herbal formulations aimed at managing stress and promoting general well-being. However, these traditional uses are based on historical practice rather than rigorous scientific validation.

Scientific research on Hemidesmus indicus as a stress-relieving agent is limited. A small number of preclinical studies have examined its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and some have suggested it may have a protective effect against stress-induced biochemical changes in animal models. For example, a few rodent studies have shown that extracts of Hemidesmus indicus may attenuate certain markers of oxidative stress and modulate stress-related hormonal changes. However, these findings are preliminary, and there is a lack of robust clinical trials in humans to substantiate its efficacy for stress reduction.

In summary, while Hemidesmus indicus is traditionally used for stress in Ayurvedic medicine, scientific evidence supporting its use for this purpose is weak and mostly limited to animal studies. Therefore, its use for stress is justified primarily by tradition rather than strong scientific validation.