Ashwagandha is a low-growing shrub native to India. Ashwagandha bears small, non-distinct green flowers which turn into orange fruits that people use to curdle milk. Ayurvedic medicine uses the tuberous roots of the plant for treating a variety of ailments. Scientific research has revealed supportive evidence for ashwagandha for some of its traditional uses. Consult with a qualified health professional to determine the most appropriate therapy for your individual needs before supplementing with ashwagandha.
Anxiety
Ashwagandha significantly decreased social anxiety in laboratory animals, in a study published in the October 2007 "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology." In the study, researchers isolated rats for six weeks and then gave them 100 mg per kg, 200 mg per kg or 500 mg per kg body weight of ashwagandha and observed that the rats spent more time in open areas, an indication of decreased anxiety. Ashwagandha also decreased stress-related behaviors in a group of rats that were not isolated. The researchers concluded that ashwagandha may be an effective mood stabilizer.
Cancer Treatment
Ashwagandha may have anti-cancer effects, according to a study published in the January 2011 "Chemico-biological Interactions" journal. The tissue culture study of human kidney cancer cells showed that ashwagandha made the cancer cells more susceptible to radiation therapy. The combined effect of radiation and ashwagandha significantly enhanced apoptosis -- programmed cell death -- and increased the production of free radicals. The researchers concluded that ashwagandha may be useful as a sensitizer to enhance the effects of radiation in cancer treatment.
Immunity
A study in the October 2009 "Vaccine" journal reported that ashwagandha boosts immunity. In the study, researchers gave ashwagandha to laboratory mice for two weeks and observed increased numbers of white blood cells and improved production of immune modulating molecules. Other immune system signaling molecules were markedly enhanced. The researchers concluded that ashwagandha shows potential for use in chronic illness patients, whose immune systems are depleted or weakened.
Brain Health
Ashwagandha protects the brain against Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the June 2010 "Phytotherapy Research" journal. In the study on laboratory rats, ashwagandha protected nerve cells from amyloid protein-induced cell damage -- a form of nerve degeneration thought to be a causative factor in Alzheimer's disease. Two extracts of ashwagandha were tested in the study and found to have the ability to attach to the protein and prevent it from forming fibers which, in Alzheimer's disease, leads to damaging deposits of tangled beta-amyloid proteins.
References
- Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology; "Protective effect of Withania somnifera dunal root extract against protracted social isolation induced behavior in rats;" G.L. Gupta, et al.; 2007
- Chemico-Biological Interactions: "Withaferin A enhances radiation-induced apoptosis in Caki cells through induction of reactive oxygen species, Bcl-2 downregulation and Akt inhibition;" E.S. Yang, et al.; 2011
- Vaccine: "Molecular insight into the immune up-regulatory properties of the leaf extract of Ashwagandha and identification of Th1 immunostimulatory chemical entity;" S. Khan, et al.; 2009
- Phytotherapy Research: WWithanamides in Withania somnifera fruit protect PC-12 cells from beta-amyloid responsible for Alzheimer's disease;" B. Jayaprakasam, et al.; 2010
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