Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Epilepsy

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine, where it is valued as a general tonic and adaptogen. Traditionally, it has been used to support a variety of neurological conditions, including epilepsy. In Ayurvedic texts, ashwagandha is classified as a "medhya rasayana," or a substance that rejuvenates and supports the mind and nervous system. It has been included in formulations aimed at calming the nervous system and reducing seizure activity, although the precise mechanisms and efficacy were not understood in traditional contexts.

From a scientific perspective, there is limited but emerging preclinical evidence for ashwagandha's effects on epilepsy. Some animal studies have suggested that extracts of ashwagandha root may possess anticonvulsant properties, possibly due to its antioxidant effect, GABA-mimetic activity, and ability to modulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain. For example, a few studies in rodents have demonstrated reduced seizure frequency and severity after administration of ashwagandha extracts. However, these findings have not been robustly replicated in human clinical trials, and no large-scale or high-quality studies currently support its efficacy in treating epilepsy in humans.

Overall, while the traditional use of ashwagandha for epilepsy is well documented in Ayurvedic medicine, scientific validation in humans is currently lacking. Its use should be approached with caution, and always under the supervision of a healthcare professional, especially in individuals with epilepsy or those taking antiepileptic medications.

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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