Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Hot Flashes
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of health concerns, particularly those related to stress, vitality, and hormonal balance. The use of ashwagandha to support or treat hot flashes is primarily rooted in traditional practices rather than strong scientific validation. In Ayurveda, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms are often understood as imbalances in the body's doshas, particularly in the context of declining reproductive hormones. Ashwagandha is considered a rasayana (rejuvenator) and adaptogen, believed to help restore hormonal equilibrium and support the body's ability to adapt to stress, which may indirectly alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes.
While there are some modern studies investigating ashwagandha's effects on stress reduction, sleep, and general well-being, there is limited direct clinical evidence evaluating its efficacy specifically for hot flashes. Some small studies and anecdotal reports suggest that by reducing stress and balancing hormones, ashwagandha may help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes, but these findings are not robust or conclusive. Most recommendations for ashwagandha in this context rely on its traditional use and its general adaptogenic properties rather than on rigorous, targeted clinical research. Therefore, while ashwagandha is commonly used in traditional systems to support menopausal health, the scientific evidence for its effectiveness in treating hot flashes remains modest.
Other ingredients used for Hot Flashes
ashwagandhablack cohosh
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
evening primrose oil
flaxseed
genistein
genistin
licorice root
maca
reishi mushroom
scrophularia root
soybean
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
wild yam
red clover
Equol (proprietary)
menthol oil
St. John's Wort
soy isoflavones
27-deoxyactein
8-Prenylnaringenin
Aconite
Anemarrhena
Broussonetia
Bombax
Cohosh
Dong Quai
Estrogen
Isoflavones
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
Products containing ashwagandha
Nature's Sunshine 5-HTP Power
Nature's Sunshine AdaptaMax
Nature's Sunshine Joint Health (Ayurvedic)
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
Nature's Sunshine Ultrabiome DTX