Ashwagandha for Stress

This article originally appeared on TasteForLife.com.

Ashwagandha root extract (Withania somnifera) appears to be highly effective in reducing stress in adults, according to different scientific studies.

Benefits of Ashwagandha

Researchers found that participants who took a dosage of anywhere between 240 milligrams and 600 milligram of ashwagandha daily for 60 days experienced improved:

• sleep quality
• productivity
• mental calmness
• relaxation
• better mood

Ashwagandha Reduces Cortisol

Blood tests showed a reduction in levels of the stress hormone cortisol among all study participants.

Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it can help normalize the body’s systems.

Selected Sources:

“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”by K. Chandrasekhar et al., Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 1/14/13

"An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study" by A.L. Lopresti et al., Medicine, 9/19