Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Concentration (poor)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance mental clarity and reduce stress. Recent scientific studies have investigated its effects on cognitive function, including concentration. Several randomized controlled trials have found that ashwagandha supplementation may improve aspects of cognitive performance, such as attention, information processing speed, and executive function. For example, a 2017 double-blind, placebo-controlled study in the journal “Journal of Dietary Supplements” reported that healthy adults taking ashwagandha extract for eight weeks showed significant improvements in memory and attention compared to placebo. Another study in 2021 found that college students using ashwagandha experienced enhancements in both cognitive and psychological performance, including sustained attention and reaction time.

These effects are believed to be linked to ashwagandha’s ability to reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), support neuroprotection, and modulate neurotransmitter activity. However, while results are promising, most studies have small sample sizes and short durations. More large-scale research is necessary to confirm these findings and determine optimal dosages. In summary, there is moderate scientific evidence supporting ashwagandha’s use to improve concentration in healthy adults, although it should be viewed as a complementary rather than primary treatment for cognitive concerns.

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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