Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Menstruation (scant)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, where it is considered a "rasayana" or rejuvenative herb. In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is used to promote overall vitality, balance hormones, and support reproductive health in both men and women. It is sometimes recommended for women experiencing scanty menstruation (oligomenorrhea), believed to arise from imbalances such as "vata" aggravation, stress, or general debility. Traditional Ayurvedic texts describe ashwagandha as a tonic that can help restore hormonal balance, nourish the reproductive organs, and improve menstrual regularity by reducing stress and supporting the endocrine system.
However, modern scientific evidence specifically supporting ashwagandha for scanty menstruation is limited. Most contemporary research on ashwagandha focuses on its adaptogenic, anti-stress, and general hormone-modulating effects. A few studies suggest that ashwagandha may improve reproductive hormone profiles and menstrual regularity in women with certain conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but direct clinical evidence for treating scanty menstruation is lacking. The strength of evidence is therefore rated at 2, as traditional use is well documented, but scientific validation for this specific indication is minimal. Women considering ashwagandha for menstrual issues should consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
Other health conditions supported by ashwagandha
Addictions (drugs)Addictions (general remedies for)
Afterbirth Pain
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anger (excessive)
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bedwetting
Body Building
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
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
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Nightmares
Nocturnal Emission
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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
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
Adrenal Fatigue
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Concentration (poor)
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Migraine
Osteoporosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Wounds and Sores
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
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 Chocolate
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Vanilla
Nature's Sunshine Ultrabiome DTX
