Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine as an “adaptogen,” meaning it is believed to help the body cope with various forms of stress, including “adrenal fatigue”—a non-medical term used to describe a collection of vague symptoms (fatigue, sleep disturbances, etc.) attributed to chronic stress and supposed dysfunction of the adrenal glands. While traditional use supports the idea of ashwagandha as a remedy for stress and exhaustion, the scientific concept of “adrenal fatigue” is not widely accepted in mainstream medicine, and there is limited direct clinical research on ashwagandha’s effect on this specific condition.

However, several modern studies have investigated ashwagandha’s adaptogenic properties, showing that it may help reduce perceived stress and cortisol levels (the primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands). A few randomized controlled trials have reported improvements in stress, anxiety, and cortisol balance in stressed adults taking ashwagandha extract. Nevertheless, these studies typically assess general stress resilience rather than directly measuring or treating “adrenal fatigue.”

In summary, the use of ashwagandha for “adrenal fatigue” is primarily justified by traditional medicine, with some supporting evidence for stress reduction in modern research. However, there is no robust clinical evidence that ashwagandha treats a defined adrenal gland disorder as described by proponents of “adrenal fatigue.”

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