Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Erectile Dysfunction

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine as a rasayana, or rejuvenating herb, and is traditionally prescribed to support male sexual health, including the management of erectile dysfunction (ED). Ancient Ayurvedic texts describe ashwagandha as an “aphrodisiac,” believed to enhance sexual vigor, stamina, and performance. The root is commonly included in herbal formulations intended to treat male infertility, impotence, and other conditions affecting sexual function.

Scientific evidence to support these traditional claims is limited. Some small clinical studies and animal research suggest that ashwagandha may help reduce stress and improve testosterone levels, both of which can play a role in sexual health and erectile function. For example, a few studies have reported improvements in semen quality, libido, and perceived sexual satisfaction in men supplementing with ashwagandha. However, direct, high-quality clinical trials investigating ashwagandha specifically for erectile dysfunction are lacking. The evidence that does exist is preliminary, often with small sample sizes and methodological limitations.

In summary, the use of ashwagandha for ED is primarily justified by traditional use rather than robust scientific validation. While there are plausible mechanisms and some early supportive findings, more rigorous research is needed before ashwagandha can be recommended as an evidence-based treatment for erectile dysfunction.

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Other health conditions supported by ashwagandha

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Afterbirth Pain
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Anger (excessive)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bedwetting
Body Building
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Concentration (poor)
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Fatigue
Fear (excessive)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Goiter
Grief and Sadness
Hair (graying)
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Hysteria
Infertility
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritability
Leucorrhea
Lyme Disease
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Mental Illness
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Nightmares
Nocturnal Emission
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Premature Ejaculation
Prolapsed Uterus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sex Drive (low)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Syphilis
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Thinking (cloudy)
TMJ
Tremors
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Vitiligo
Weight Gain
Weight Loss
Worry
Wounds and Sores