Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Alzheimer's Disease

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for various health conditions, including cognitive decline. Its application in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is primarily supported by preclinical scientific research rather than robust clinical evidence. Animal and cell culture studies suggest that ashwagandha root extracts and withanolides (its key active compounds) may exert neuroprotective effects relevant to AD. These effects include reducing amyloid-beta plaque accumulation, enhancing antioxidant defenses, decreasing neuroinflammation, and improving synaptic function. In transgenic mouse models of AD, ashwagandha has been shown to improve memory and learning and reduce pathological hallmarks associated with the disease. Proposed mechanisms involve modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, and promotion of neurite outgrowth. However, the translation of these preclinical findings to human subjects remains limited. Only a few small-scale human studies have evaluated ashwagandha’s effects on cognitive function, and these usually involve healthy older adults or those with mild cognitive impairment—not patients with diagnosed Alzheimer’s Disease. These trials report modest improvements in memory and executive function but do not provide direct evidence for disease modification in AD. In summary, while ashwagandha shows promise in laboratory settings, high-quality clinical trials in Alzheimer’s patients are lacking. Thus, its use for AD is justified by preclinical scientific evidence, but current support in humans is weak (evidence rating: 2/5).

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Other ingredients used for Alzheimer's Disease

acai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
berberine
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
black tea
blueberry
broccoli
butyrate triglyceride
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
caprylic acid
catechins
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
gamma tocopherol
genistein
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
grape
green tea
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
huperzine A
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-serine
l-theanine
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
naringin
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
phenolic acids
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
pregnenolone
butyric acid
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
selenium
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vinpocetine
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
mulberry
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
gastrodia
tinospora cordifolia
lingzhi
morus
ferulic acid
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
terpene lactones
polyphenols
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
soy isoflavones
2-(carbamimidoyl-methyl-amino) ethoxyphosphonic acid
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Anserine
Avocado
Agmatine
Acetylcholine
Amentoflavone
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Ampelopsin
Aniracetam
Apocynin
Black Seed
Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Bacopin
Baicalein
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bifidobacteria
bacoside
Baicalin
Caffeic Acid
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Crocin
Carnosine
Catalpol
Cyanidin
Curcuminoid
Curcumen
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Creatine
Curcuma
C-Phycocyanin
Convolvulus prostratus
Crocetin
Cytidine
Carnosic acid
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Decursin
Dihydrolipoic Acid
epicatechin
Ellagic Acid
Ergothioneine
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Estrogen
Ecklonia
Ketone Salts
walnut

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