Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the body system: Hypothalamus

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic for stress, vitality, and overall endocrine health, which includes the hypothalamus as a part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Traditional texts often describe ashwagandha as an adaptogen, a substance believed to help the body resist physiological and psychological stress. The hypothalamus plays a central role in the body's response to stress by regulating the HPA axis, and ashwagandha’s traditional use for stress and hormonal balance implies support of the hypothalamus, although the specific term “hypothalamus” is rarely used in traditional medical literature.

Modern research has begun to examine ashwagandha’s effects on the HPA axis, but direct studies on the hypothalamus itself are limited. Most available evidence is for ashwagandha’s ability to reduce stress and cortisol levels, which reflects modulation of the HPA axis. Some small clinical trials and animal studies suggest ashwagandha may help normalize cortisol levels and reduce anxiety, indirectly implying support for hypothalamic function. However, conclusive scientific evidence specifically targeting hypothalamic health or function is lacking. Thus, its use for hypothalamus support is mainly justified by tradition, with moderate but not robust scientific support for related stress and endocrine effects.

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