Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Cancer (prevention)

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of health conditions, including as a general tonic to promote longevity and vitality. In recent years, there has been growing scientific interest in its potential role in cancer prevention and support. Preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) have demonstrated that extracts of ashwagandha, particularly its active compounds known as withanolides, possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative effects. These mechanisms are thought to contribute to its potential to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), and reduce oxidative stress, which can contribute to cancer development.

However, while these findings are promising, the majority of evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies. Human clinical trials investigating ashwagandha's effects specifically on cancer prevention or adjunctive cancer therapy are limited, and results are preliminary. Some small human studies have suggested ashwagandha may help reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in cancer patients, but clear evidence for cancer prevention or direct anti-cancer effects in humans is lacking.

Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and preliminary evidence supporting ashwagandha's potential in cancer prevention and support, it is not yet well-established or validated in large-scale human trials. Further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in this context.

More about ashwagandha
More about Cancer (prevention)

Other ingredients used for Cancer (prevention)

7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
acai berry
ajoene
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-carotene
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalus
barberry
barley
basil
beet
berberine
berry flavor
beta and delta tocopherols
beta caryophyllene
beta-carotene
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bisabolol
black cumin
black garlic
radish
sesame
black tea
black walnut
blackberry
blueberry
branched-chain amino acids
broccoli
brussel sprouts
burdock
butyrate triglyceride
capsaicinoids
carrot
cat's claw
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chaga mushroom
champignon
cherry
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chlorophyll
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus pectin
clove
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
cowage seed
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
d-glucarate
daidzin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gamma tocopherol
garlic bulb
genistein
genistin
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
grape
grapefruit
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
knotweed
jujube
kale
kelp
lactoferrin
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
lignans
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
lychee
lycopene
mackerel
maitake mushroom
mangosteen
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
mixed carotenoids
moringa
mustard seed
naringin
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oyster mushroom
parsley
pectin
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
phytosterols
pineapple
plum fruit
pomegranate
pomelo
protein
butyric acid
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
quinoa
raspberry
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
rutin
sardines
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
soybean
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
stigmasterol
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
triphala
turkey tail mushroom
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
seaweed
wasabia japonica
watercress
wheat grass
whey protein
mulberry
zinc
red clover
yellow root
suma
jiaogulan
tangerine
typhonium
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
commiphora
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
lingzhi
pau d'arco
morus
lemongrass
myrrh
root tuber
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
dodder
fern
ganoderma
morinda
zanthoxylum
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
polyphenols
purslane
coix
aster root
yerba mate
wheat germ
noni
biota seed
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
algae
indigo leaves
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
cayenne pepper
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
4-Hydroxyandrostenedione
8-Bromo-7-Methoxychrysin
Aralia
Arugula
Agarikon Mushroom
Alpha-Humulene
Amethoflavone
Amygdalin
Ankaflavin
Ardisia
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Antrodia camphorata
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Anamu
American Pawpaw
Albizia
AHCC
Andrographolide
Avocado
Alpha-Methylselenobutanoic Acid
Amentoflavone
Acetogenin
Acacetin
Allophycocyanin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Armillaria mellea
anthocyanidins
Andrographis
Adzuki bean
Ampelopsin
Asteracea
Allyl Mercaptan
Allyl Sulfide
Acemannan
Algal protein
allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
anthocyanosides
Arabinoxylan
Abalone
Allium tuberosum
Alantolactone
Anti-aromatase
Arctiin
Arjunolic acid
Artepillin C
Astragalin
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bidens pilosa
bergenin
Betulinic acid
Breadnut
Brassica
Bayleaf
Bran
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Beef liver
Bok Choy
Baicalein
Beta-lapachone
Bael
Bean
biochanin
Basidiomycota
Betanin
berry
Bauhinia
Boswellia
Brazil nut
Banyan
Butein
Barbasco
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Butenyl isothiocyanate
Bacteria
Baobab
benzyl isothiocyanate
Baicalin
Buckwheat
Bassia scoparia
Bignay
Boerhavia diffusa
Caffeic Acid
Cumin
Camellia sinensis
Curry leaf
Caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cyanobacteria
Cucurbita
Condurango
Calycosin
Chlorophyllin
coconut oil
Cod Liver Oil
Coriolus mushroom
Carvacrol
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Chinese Fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Cancerina
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Casticin
Curcumen
Chordaria cladosiphon
Centella asiatica
Cinnamic Acid
Chocolate
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Curcuma
Carnosol
Chalcone
C-Phycocyanin
Cabbage
Chirata
Carotene (unspecified)
Clostridium butyricum
Cinnamaldehyde
Corilagin
Coumaric acid
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
Cytokines
Costus
Celastrus
Coprinus
Celosia
Capsanthin
Carnosic acid
Dunaliella salina
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
Dihydrocapsaicin
Delphinidin
DNA
Dunaliella
Decursin
Dumontiaceae
Daidzein
Diosgenin
Didymin
Date
Dithiolthiones
Diosmetin
Dichrostachys glomerata
epicatechin
E-Viniferin
Ellagic Acid
Eclipta
Ergothioneine
Emblicanin
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Ellagitannin
Ecklonia
Enokitake
Garlic
Galangal
Isoflavones
Lotus
Milk Protein
Periwinkle
Pistachio
Rhubarb
Soy Protein
walnut
Zucchini

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