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

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine primarily as an adaptogen, a substance believed to help the body adapt to stress. Traditional use relates to its perceived ability to support the body’s overall stress response, which may indirectly involve the adrenal glands, including both the cortex and medulla. The adrenal medulla specifically is responsible for producing catecholamines like adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), which are involved in the fight-or-flight response.

While there is a significant traditional foundation for ashwagandha’s use in enhancing resilience to stress, direct references in traditional or historical texts to the “adrenal medulla” are absent, as this anatomical specificity is a product of modern physiology. Instead, Ayurvedic texts refer more generally to concepts such as “vital energy” or “strength.” The association of ashwagandha with the adrenal medulla in modern supplements is therefore an extrapolation based on its adaptogenic reputation.

Scientific studies do indicate that ashwagandha may help modulate the body’s response to stress, including reducing cortisol (an adrenal cortex hormone), but there is limited direct clinical or experimental evidence showing that ashwagandha specifically supports or modulates adrenal medulla function or catecholamine production in humans. Thus, the justification for using ashwagandha to support the adrenal medulla is primarily rooted in tradition, not in direct scientific validation.

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