Ashwagandha

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Ashwagandha
Common Names	Winter Cherry, Indian Ginseng
Hindi	Asgandh
Sanskrit	Ashwagandha
Latin/Botanical	Withania somnifera

Parts Used

• Root
• Leaf

Dosha Effects

Dosha	Effect
Vata	Decreases
Kapha	Decreases
Pitta	May Increase In Excess

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Withanolides (withaferin A, withanolide D)
• Alkaloids (isopelletierine, anaferine)
• Steroidal lactones
• Iron

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

• Adaptogen
• Anti-stress
• Immunomodulator
• Anti-inflammatory
• Nootropic
• Aphrodisiac
• Nervine tonic

How does it work?

• Active compounds: Withanolides (300+ C-28 steroidal lactones), primarily withaferin-A and withanolide-D.
• NF-kB inhibition: Withanolides suppress nuclear factor kappa-B activation, reducing inflammatory signaling.
• Neuroprotection: Inhibition of amyloid-beta oligomer aggregation; prevention of tau hyperphosphorylation; acetylcholinesterase and pseudo-cholinesterase inhibition.
• Antioxidant: Modulation of Keap-1/Nrf2 pathway; reduction of pro-inflammatory markers IL-1beta, IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-alpha.
• Dopaminergic activity: Enhancement of D2 receptor activity.
• NMDA receptor modulation: Reduced expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.
• Predicted therapeutic targets: Protein kinase C (alpha, delta, epsilon), Androgen Receptor, COX-2 (PTGS-2), and Phosphodiesterase-4D (PDE4D).
• Beta-catenin and TERT: Ashwagandha extract increases beta-catenin and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression.
• Biosynthesis pathway elucidated (2026): CYP87G1, CYP749B2, and SDH2 responsible for withanolide lactone ring formation.

How is it used traditionally?

Classified as Balya (strength-promoting), Brimhana (nourishing), and Rasayana (rejuvenative) in Ayurveda. Used for Kshaya (debility), Vataroga (neurological disorders), and Shwasa (respiratory conditions).

Where is it described in the classical texts?

• Charaka Samhita (Balya group)
• Sushruta Samhita
• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
• Ashtanga Hridaya

What do recent clinical trials show?

• Bonilla DA, Moreno Y, Gho C and others 2021. Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis. Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology. PMID 33670194 · doi:10.3390/jfmk6010020
  13 studies analyzed; medium overall effect size for strength/power improvements in healthy individuals with ashwagandha supplementation.
• Cheah KL, Norhayati MN, Husniati Yaacob L and others 2021. Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one. PMID 34559859 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257843
  5 RCTs with 400 participants showed small but significant improvement in overall sleep. Effects most prominent in adults with insomnia, at 600 mg/day dosage, over 8-week treatment duration.
• Akhgarjand C, Asoudeh F, Bagheri A and others 2022. Does Ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 36017529 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7598
  12 eligible papers with 1,002 participants demonstrated that ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduced anxiety and stress levels compared to placebo.
• Arumugam V, Vijayakumar V, Balakrishnan A and others 2024. Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on stress and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Explore (New York, N.Y.). PMID 39348746 · doi:10.1016/j.explore.2024.103062
  Updated meta-analysis confirming significant anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects of ashwagandha across multiple randomized controlled trials.
• Marchi M, Grenzi P, Travascio A and others 2025. The effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on mental health symptoms in individuals with mental disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. BJPsych open. PMID 41140145 · doi:10.1192/bjo.2025.10885
  14 studies with 360 participants found evidence supporting effectiveness in treating anxiety symptoms in individuals with diagnosed mental disorders.
• Alsanie SA, Alhodieb FS, Askarpour M 2026. Effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on mental health in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complementary therapies in medicine. PMID 41644067 · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103325
  Dose-response meta-analysis confirms ashwagandha holds promising potential in alleviating symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, with dose-dependent effects identified.

Recent safety updates

• Generally well tolerated for up to 3 months; long-term safety data lacking.
• Common side effects (>5%): somnolence, epigastric pain/discomfort, loose stools.
• Less common: giddiness, drowsiness, vertigo, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, hyperacidity, skin rash.
• Hepatotoxicity: Rare reports of liver injury reported to regulatory agencies; mechanism unclear.
• Drug interactions: May enhance effects of sedatives, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and anticonvulsants due to synergistic properties.
• Interaction with SSRIs: Sertraline combination may cause severe diarrhea; escitalopram combination linked to myalgia, nausea, restless legs syndrome.
• Interaction with reboxetine may cause testicle pain and ejaculatory dysfunction.
• Contraindicated in pregnancy and hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
• Thyroid effects: Risk of thyrotoxicosis or thyroid storm in patients with thyroid disorders; may interfere with thyroid medications.
• May interact with diabetes and blood pressure medications.
• Immunosuppressant interactions: May reduce efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs.
• REGULATORY: Denmark banned ashwagandha in April 2023 due to hormonal disruption and reproductive risk concerns. France followed suit in 2025. EU Article 8 procedure initiated June 2024 for potential effects on reproduction, thyroid, and liver.

Recommended Dosage

Root powder: 3-6g/day; Standardized extract (2.5-5% withanolides): 300-600mg/day

Safety, contraindications and cautions

• Pregnancy
• Hyperthyroidism
• Autoimmune conditions (may stimulate immune system)
• May interact with thyroid medications, sedatives, immunosuppressants

What is it made of?

Part(s) Analyzed: Root, Leaf

Withanolides (Steroidal Lactones)

• Withaferin A (0.1-0.5%)
• Withanolide D (0.05-0.2%)
• Withanolide A
• Withanoside IV
• Withanoside V
• 12-Deoxywithastramonolide
• Withanone
• Sitoindosides VII-X

Alkaloids

• Isopelletierine
• Anaferine
• Cuscohygrine
• Anahygrine
• Withanine
• Somniferine
• Tropine

Saponins

• Sitoindoside VII
• Sitoindoside VIII
• Sitoindoside IX
• Sitoindoside X

Sterols

• Beta-sitosterol
• Stigmasterol
• Campesterol

Analytical Methods: HPLC-UV (withanolides), LC-MS/MS, TLC

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (root powder), Capsule, Tablet, Ashwagandha Ghrita, Ashwagandharishta (fermented), Avaleha (confection), Granules, Nanoparticle formulations

Standard Dosage: 3-6g root powder twice daily with warm milk; 300-600mg standardized extract (withanolides) twice daily; 15-30ml Ashwagandharishta after meals

Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability for withanolides (~20-30% for withaferin A). Withanoside IV is a prodrug converted to sominone by intestinal glucosidases. Cyclodextrin complexation improves withanolide solubility 3-5x. KSM-66 (full-spectrum root extract) and Sensoril (root + leaf extract) show clinically validated bioavailability. Milk (Kshirapaka) as anupana enhances absorption of lipophilic withanolides by 2-3x. Piperine co-administration increases bioavailability by 30-40%. Phytosome technology (withanolide-phospholipid complex) shows 5x enhancement.

Optimal Timing: At bedtime with warm milk for sleep and rejuvenation; morning and evening for adaptogenic/stress management; before meals for general health

Standardized Extract: Root extract (KSM-66): standardized to minimum 5% withanolides by HPLC, full-spectrum. Sensoril (root + leaf): standardized to minimum 10% withanolide glycosides and 32% oligosaccharides. Withanolide-enriched extract: minimum 8% total withanolides. Specify withaferin A content separately.

Shelf Life: 2 years (root powder); 3 years (standardized extract capsules/tablets); 5 years (Ashwagandharishta); 2 years (Ghrita)

Storage: Airtight containers, cool and dry, below 25°C. Root powder with desiccant. Extract capsules in blister packs preferred for moisture protection. Ashwagandharishta in amber glass at room temperature.

Marker Compounds: Withaferin A, Withanolide A, Withanolide D, Withanoside IV, Withanoside V, 12-Deoxywithastramonolide, Withanone, Sitoindosides VII-X, Ashwagandhanolide

Extraction Methods

• Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for withanolide enrichment
• Aqueous extraction (milk decoction — classical Kshirapaka)
• Supercritical CO2 for withanolide-enriched fraction
• Green extraction using deep eutectic solvents (emerging)
• Spray-dried aqueous extract for Ghana Vati

Synergistic Combinations

• With Brahmi for cognitive enhancement and stress management
• With Shatavari for adaptogenic synergy and reproductive health
• With Arjuna for cardioprotection
• With Amalaki and Guduchi for Rasayana (rejuvenation)
• With warm milk and ghee as classic Rasayana preparation
• With Kapikacchu for male reproductive health