Treating anxiety with ashwagandha is a recommendation backed up by sound research evidence. Several recent review studies conclude the herbal remedy ashwagandha reduces anxiety, supports restful sleep and improves overall cognitive functioning.
What is Ashwagandha?

Withania somnifera is an evergreen shrub cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It is called ashwagandha because the plant’s roots smell like a wet horse. The word “ashwa” means horse and the word “gandha” means smell.
Ashwagandha root has been used in the traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India as an adaptogen, a compound that increases a person’s ability to become resilient to biological, physical or chemical stressors. Most of the commercial ashwagandha supplements contain extracts from the plant’s root. Some contain extracts from both the root and leaf.
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Studies Recommend Treating Anxiety with Ashwagandha
Results from clinical trials suggest that ashwagandha reduces stress and anxiety. A 2021 systematic review of the research evidence identified seven studies that investigated the use of ashwagandha to treat stress and anxiety.
A total of 491 adults, all from India, with either self-reported high stress and anxiety or a diagnosed anxiety disorder were randomized to take ashwagandha or placebo for 6 to 8 weeks.
Studies found that ashwagandha significantly reduced stress and anxiety levels, reduced fatigue and reduced the stress hormone cortisol when compared with placebo. In several studies, the benefits appeared to be greater with doses of 500 to 600 mg/day than with lower doses.

The more recent meta-analytic reviews of Ashwagandha studies listed below confirm results of the earlier 2021 review summarized above that conclude Ashwagandha has a beneficial impact on shutting down anxiety.
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Explore (NY). 2024 Nov-Dec;20(6):103062. Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on stress and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb used to prevent and treat psychosomatic disorders. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects and safety of Ashwagandha on psychosomatic functions related to stress and anxiety among patients.
Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library for articles published from January 2000 to January 2022. Randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of Ashwagandha on stress and anxiety were included. Two authors independently extracted all relevant data from the included studies. Both subjective and objective measures of stress and anxiety were assessed as outcome variables.
Result: Nine randomized controlled trials involving 558 patients were eligible for this study. The findings of the meta-analysis showed a significant effect of Ashwagandha formulations on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (MD = -4.72, 95 % CI = [-8.45 to -0.99]), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) (MD = -2.19, 95 % CI = [-3.83 to -0.55]), and serum cortisol levels (MD = -2.58, 95 % CI = [-4.99 to -0.16]) compared to the placebo group. Among the included studies, four reported mild to moderate adverse events.
Conclusion: The findings from the included studies indicate that Ashwagandha formulations have beneficial effects on stress and anxiety.
Phytother Res. 2022 Nov;36(11):4115-4124. Does Ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract
Background: Clinical trial studies revealed conflicting results on the effect of Ashwagandha extract on anxiety and stress. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of Ashwagandha supplementation on anxiety as well as stress.
Method: A systematic search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar from inception until December 2021. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that investigate the effect of Ashwagandha extract on anxiety and stress. The overall effect size was pooled by random-effects model and the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) for outcomes were applied.
Overall, 12 eligible papers with a total sample size of 1,002 participants and age range between 25 and 48 years were included in the current systematic review and meta-analysis.
Results: We found that Ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduced anxiety (SMD: -1.55, 95% CI: -2.37, -0.74; p = .005; I2 = 93.8%) and stress level (SMD: -1.75; 95% CI: -2.29, -1.22; p = .005; I2 = 83.1%) compared to the placebo. Additionally, the non-linear dose-response analysis indicated a favorable effect of Ashwagandha supplementation on anxiety until 12,000 mg/d and stress at dose of 300-600 mg/d.
Conclusion: The current systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs revealed a beneficial effect in both stress and anxiety following Ashwagandha supplementation.
Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery ®
https://www.blog.parkinsonsrecovery.com
robert@parkinsonsrecovery.com




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