🌿Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Written By Callen Pereira

Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha in Sanskrit, is a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine. Its use dates back to 6000 BCE, where it was employed to promote physical and mental health, enhance longevity, and manage stress (Singh et al., 2021). Classified as a Rasayana (rejuvenative) in Ayurveda, it is celebrated for its adaptogenic properties, which help the body resist both physiological and psychological stress (Paul et al., 2021).

This evergreen woody shrub is known by various names, including "Indian winter cherry," "Indian ginseng," and "Ashwagandha." These appellations stem from its distinctive characteristics. For instance, the term "somnifera" means "sleep-inducer" in Latin, while "Ashwagandha" combines the Sanskrit words "ashwa" (horse) and "gandha" (smell), referring to the root's strong odour reminiscent of a wet horse. Its resemblance in pharmacological properties to Korean ginseng tea led to its popularization as "Indian ginseng" (Paul et al., 2021).

The plant’s roots and leaves are most commonly used in formulations such as powders, decoctions, and teas, aimed at improving vitality and addressing conditions like arthritis, anxiety, and insomnia (Mandlik Ingawale & Namdeo, 2021; Paul et al., 2021).

Pharmaceutical Advantages and Active Constituents

Ashwagandha’s pharmacological effects are attributed to its diverse phytochemical composition, which includes withanolides, alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids (Paul et al., 2021).

The roots are particularly valued, containing 0.13–0.31% alkaloids, volatile oils, starch, amino acids, glycosides, reducing sugars, and steroids (Paul et al., 2021). Among its bioactive components, withaferin A and withanolide D stand out for their anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer properties. Modern formulations often incorporate these compounds, namely alongside acylsterylglucosides and sitoindosides, to produce adaptogenic and anxiolytic effects (Singh et al., 2021; Paul et al., 2021).

Scientific efforts aim to strike a balance between the plant’s traditional and evidence-based uses. Full-spectrum extracts, which retain the root’s natural composition, have gained significant attention among researchers and manufacturers for their efficacy instead of the focus on single phytochemicals.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacokinetics of Ashwagandha’s active constituents remain underexplored as there are over 12 alkaloids, 40 withanolides, and multiple sitoindosides all of which contribute to the plant's potential therapeutic effect (Paul et al., 2021).

Current studies suggest that withaferin A is rapidly absorbed and distributed, undergoing hepatic metabolism via cytochrome P450 enzymes, with renal excretion as the primary elimination route (Kim et al., 2023, Paul et al., 2021).

Pharmacodynamically, Ashwagandha modulates stress-related biomarkers like cortisol and inflammatory cytokines while enhancing GABAergic signalling, which speculated to underpin its anxiolytic properties (Paul et al., 2021).

Clinical Evidence

Clinical trials validate many traditional claims of Ashwagandha. Recent evidence highlights its relevance in modern lifestyles, emphasising its efficacy in reducing stress, anxiety, and improving sleep and physical performance (Cooley et al., 2009; Chandrasekhar et al., 2012; Salve et al., 2019; Lopresti et al., 2019; Cheah et al. 2021).

For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha (KSM-66) reduced cortisol levels by 27.9% and significantly improved stress scores (Chandrasekhar et al., 2012). Additionally, studies document its role in enhancing cardiorespiratory endurance in athletes and promoting muscle gain while reducing body fat in men aged 18–50 with minimal prior endurance training (Choudhary et al., 2015; Wankhede et al., 2015).

Available Types of Ingredients on the Market

Ashwagandha is marketed in various forms, including root powder, standardised extracts, capsules, tablets, and teas. Standardised extracts containing 1.5–40% withanolides are particularly popular for their consistency and efficacy (Kim et al., 2023). Emerging delivery systems, such as water-soluble extracts and gummies, aim to improve bioavailability and consumer compliance (Paul et al., 2021).

Choosing the right supplier of the raw material involves ensuring traceability, quality control, and investment in clinical research. Factors like the geographic origin of cultivation and adherence to quality standards are critical for maintaining product efficacy.

Warnings

In Australia, Ashwagandha is classified as a complementary medicine. Warnings typically highlight potential interactions with sedatives, immunosuppressants, and thyroid medications. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to exercise caution due to its traditional use in stimulating uterine contractions (TGA, 2023).

Consulting a healthcare professional is recommended before consumption.

Possible Side Effects

Ashwagandha is generally considered safe but may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort, drowsiness, or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. High doses could lead to liver enzyme elevation or thyroid hormone alterations. Limited long-term safety data warrant cautious use, particularly in sensitive populations (Paul et al., 2021; TGA, 2023).

Sales in Australia (2022–2024)

The popularity of Ashwagandha in Australia has surged, driven by its stress-relief benefits. Between 2022 and 2024, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of sales for adaptogenic supplements was approximately 12% (Statista, 2024).

Focus Areas for Future Research

Key research priorities include:

  1. Comprehensive Pharmacokinetic Studies: To clarify absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion pathways.

  2. Long-Term Safety Data: To address chronic use and toxicity concerns.

  3. Mechanistic Studies: To elucidate molecular pathways of adaptogenic and neuroprotective effects.

  4. Standardization and Quality Control: To establish global benchmarks for withanolide content in commercial products.

  5. Clinical Trials: Large-scale studies across diverse populations exploring novel therapeutic applications.

However, as with many complementary medicines, comprehensive research and clinical trials often face funding challenges.

    • Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Withania somnifera in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.106022

    • Cheah, K. L., Norhayati, M. N., Husniati Yaacob, L., & Abdul Rahman, R. (2021). Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 16(9), e0257843. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257843

    • Choudhary, B., Shetty, A., & Langade, D. G. (2015). Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. Ayu, 36(1), 63–68.

    • Cooley, K., Szczurko, O., Perri, D., Mills, E. J., Bernhardt, B., Zhou, Q., et al. (2009). Naturopathic care for anxiety: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE, 4(8), e6628. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0006628

    • Kim, S.-K., Venkatesan, J., Rathi, P., & Antony, B. (2023). Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extracts – A double-blind, crossover study in healthy adults. Heliyon, 9(12), e22843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22843

    • Lopresti, A. L., Smith, S. J., Malvi, H., & Kodgule, R. (2019). An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore), 98(37), e17186. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000017186

    • Mandlik Ingawale, D. S., & Namdeo, A. G. (2021). Pharmacological evaluation of Ashwagandha highlighting its healthcare claims, safety, and toxicity aspects. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 18(2), 183–226. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2020.1741484

    • Paul, S., Chakraborty, S., Anand, U., Dey, S., Nandy, S., Ghorai, M., Chatterjee Saha, S., Patil, M. T., Kandimalla, R., Proćków, J., & Dey, A. (2021). Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha): A comprehensive review on ethnopharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, biomedicinal and toxicological aspects. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 143, 112175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112175

    • Salve, J., Pate, S., Debnath, K., & Langade, D. (2019). Adaptogenic and anxiolytic effects of Ashwagandha root extract in healthy adults: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study. Cureus, 11(12), e6466. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.6466

    • Singh, N., Bhalla, M., Jager, P. D., & Gilca, M. (2021). An overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines, 18(1), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v18i1.9

    • Statista. (2024). Sales data for adaptogenic herbs in Australia. https://www.statista.com

    • Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). (2023). Consumer information about herbal medicines: Withania somnifera. https://www.tga.gov.au

    • Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9

Information contained in this website is for information purposes only and should not be taken as a substitute for proper medical advice.

Content Published 20th December 2024

Callen Pereira