Withania somnifera, more commonly known as ashwagandha, may not be one readily available in your home but it is one you may have seen in health food stores or heard about for its calming effects. While it is often promoted for stress support, this is only one aspect of its wide-ranging benefits. Withania has been used for more than 3,000 years,(1) and this long history guides how it is used in western herbal medicine today. A key point is that the therapeutic benefits come specifically from the root of the plant. Using the correct plant part ensures you receive the full, evidence-based effect.(2)

Research has consistently shown Withania root’s ability to support the body through decreasing stress and anxiety.(3,4) In one study, participants taking Withania root experienced a 44% reduction in overall stress, compared with 5.5% in the placebo group.(5) Another 60-day trial found significant decreases in anxiety levels and morning cortisol, the hormone associated with the stress response.(6)

Because of its popularity, ashwagandha now appears in many forms’ capsules, powders, and even gummies. However, it is hard to know if these  use the correct plant part or offer a therapeutic dose. If Withania is something you feel could support you, the most reliable way to ensure you are using a high-quality root preparation, tailored to your needs, is to work with a qualified naturopath or herbalist.

1.                Asthana R, Raina M. Pharmacology of Withania Somnifera (L.) Dunal-a Review. Indian drugs. 1989;26(5):199-205.

2.             K, Mills S. Principles and practice of phytotherapy: Modern herbal medicine. 2nd ed. Edinburgh Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier; 2013.

3.            Andrade C, Aswath A, Chaturvedi S, Srinivasa M, Raguram R. A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of the Anxiolytic Efficacy Ff an Ethanolic Extract of Withania Somnifera. Indian journal of psychiatry. 2000;42(3):295-301.

4.                 Abedon B, Auddy B, Hazra J, Mitra A, Ghosal S. A Standardized Withania Somnifera Extract Significantly Reduces Stress-Related Parameters in Chronically Stressed Humans: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Jana. 2008;11:50-6

5.                 Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine. 2012;34(3):255-62.

6 .        Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An Investigation into the Stress-Relieving and Pharmacological Actions of an Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) Extract: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Medicine. 2019;98(37):e17186.