A rising trend in natural dietary supplements and endorsements by celebrities have sparked increasing interest in Ashwagandha, a medicinal plant. However, you might be surprised to learn that Ashwagandha has been a staple in Ayurvedic practice for over 5,000 years, consistently offering a range of health benefits.

Why is Ashwagandha getting attention now?

In recent years the statistics has shown mental health as a leading problem among all age group especially after COVID pandemic. More people are dealing with stress and anxiety than ever before. To cope up with the mental crisis people are looking for a natural remedy and hence Ashwagandha comes up as a winner due to its adaptogenic and stress relieving quality. The global demand for Ashwagandha extract is $774.47BN in 2024. Hence Ashwagandha is trending in dietary supplements and cognitive health supplement industry.

How does Ashwagandha work?

Different parts of the ashwagandha plant, such as the root, leaves, and berries, may have different concentrations of withanolides compounds. Research suggests that standardized extracts containing a high concentration of withanolides are the most effective. Withanolides possess important biological activities such as anti-microbial, anti-stress, and  anti-oxidant.

What are the benefits of Ashwagandha?

As per National Institute of Health (NIH), Research has shown the beneficial effects of Ashwagandha on brain neurotransmitter levels (increased GABA and decreased dopamine). Ashwagandha also has potential in the adjunctive treatment of exacerbations of schizophrenia symptoms. There was a significant improvement in PPS (Perceived Stress Scale) scores. It was found that the supplementation had a positive effect on cognitive function, specifically on attention and working memory, as well as on mood, reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress.

What are the side effects of Ashwagandha?

There are studies on internet which talks about use of Ashwagandha in “excess” stimulates a reduction in GSH level and may impact liver. That being said anything in excess is not good for human consumption. Studies suggest that doses of 500-600 mg per day may be most effective. Higher doses may be beneficial for athletes, but taking too much can cause unpleasant side effects.