Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Parkinson's Disease

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Synopsis

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

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an important herb in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and has historically been used for a variety of neurological conditions, including symptoms reminiscent of what is now recognized as Parkinson’s Disease (PD). In Ayurvedic texts, ashwagandha is recommended for enhancing strength, reducing tremors, and supporting nervous system health. Its use for managing neurodegenerative or movement disorders is thus rooted in tradition rather than modern clinical evidence.

On the scientific front, preclinical studies (mainly in vitro and in animal models) suggest that ashwagandha extracts may possess neuroprotective properties, potentially reducing oxidative stress, modulating mitochondrial function, and inhibiting neuroinflammation—all factors implicated in PD pathology. Some studies show that ashwagandha’s withanolides might help protect dopaminergic neurons or modulate neurotransmitter levels. However, these findings are preliminary and have not yet translated into robust clinical trial evidence in humans with Parkinson’s Disease.

Currently, there is no high-quality, large-scale clinical data to support the use of ashwagandha specifically for PD treatment. Its use remains primarily traditional, with weak scientific support from preclinical data and isolated case reports. Patients interested in ashwagandha for PD should consult with their healthcare provider, as its efficacy and safety in this context are not well established.

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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