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

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which overlaps with the modern concept of "tension"—including physical and psychological manifestations. Recent scientific studies provide moderate evidence supporting ashwagandha’s role in reducing stress and tension. Several randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have shown that ashwagandha supplementation can significantly reduce scores on standardized scales measuring stress, anxiety, and perceived tension in adults. The proposed mechanisms include modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, reduction of cortisol (the primary stress hormone), and improvement of neurotransmitter balance, particularly GABAergic activity, which is associated with relaxation and reduced muscular and mental tension.

A meta-analysis published in 2021 reviewed clinical trials and concluded that ashwagandha extract led to significant reductions in stress and anxiety levels compared to placebo, supporting its adaptogenic effects. While most studies focus on psychological tension, some evidence suggests benefits for physical symptoms of tension (such as muscle tightness), though this area is less well-studied. Importantly, the safety profile of ashwagandha is generally favorable when used in recommended dosages. However, more large-scale, long-term studies are needed to fully establish its efficacy and optimal dosing for tension specifically. Thus, while scientific support exists, the evidence is not yet definitive, justifying a moderate rating.

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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