Withania somnifera, the ashwagandha plant

Withania somnifera, the ashwagandha plant

Thamizhpparithi Maari · CC BY-SA 3.0

Strong evidence23 studies

Ashwagandha

An adaptogenic plant used in Ayurvedic medicine, studied for its benefits in stress management, sleep and recovery.

StressSleep

Benefits

  • Designed to reduce perceived stress
  • Designed to promote good sleep
  • Designed for recovery and strength training

Precautions

Not recommended during pregnancy, whilst breastfeeding, or in cases of autoimmune disease or thyroid disorders. May interact with sedatives.

Recommended dosage

300 to 600 mg of standardised root extract per day

Did you know?

A low dose of Ashwagandha (30 mg/day), derived from an optimised root extract, has been shown to significantly improve cardiorespiratory fitness and delay the onset of fatigue in healthy adults.

What the studies say

  • This study investigated whether ashwagandha supplementation (600 mg/day for 8 weeks) provided additional benefits to HIIT training in terms of aerobic capacity and haematological parameters in healthy men. The results indicate that ashwagandha did not improve aerobic capacity or haematological status beyond the effects of training alone. The effect on muscle oxygenation remains inconclusive and requires further research.

    Ewa J, Klusiewicz A, Rębiś K, Długołęcka B, Charmas M, Cieśliński I. — (2025)View the source study

Pairs well with

For information only: not a substitute for medical advice. Dietary supplements are not a replacement for a varied, balanced diet. Learn more