Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the body system: Adrenal Cortex

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine as an adaptogen, a substance believed to help the body resist stress and support overall resilience. More recently, scientific research has investigated ashwagandha's effects on the stress response, particularly its potential impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which includes the adrenal cortex. Several randomized controlled trials have found that ashwagandha supplementation can reduce biomarkers of stress such as cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex in response to stress (Chandrasekhar et al., 2012). A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that ashwagandha may significantly reduce stress and anxiety in adults, with associated reductions in serum cortisol levels (Pratte et al., 2019).

While these findings suggest that ashwagandha can modulate the stress response and indirectly support adrenal function, direct studies on ashwagandha's effects on adrenal cortex structure or hormone synthesis (beyond cortisol) in humans are limited. The evidence base is moderate, with several clinical trials and meta-analyses supporting its use for stress adaptation, but more research is needed to clarify its specific actions on the adrenal cortex. Overall, its use for supporting the adrenal cortex is justified by both traditional use as an adaptogen and by emerging scientific evidence, particularly regarding stress-related adrenal function.

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