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 ingredients used for Parkinson's Disease

1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acetyl L-carnitine
Agmatine
Akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
apigenin
ashwagandha
astragalin
bacoside
baicalein
baicalin
beta caryophyllene
biopterin
black garlic
brahmi
broad bean
butyrate triglyceride
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
catalpol
catechins
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
creatine
curcumin
decarboxylase
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
fava bean
ferulic acid
fisetin
fish oil
fo-ti
gastrodin
ginkgo biloba
Ginsenosides
Glucoraphanin
Glycosphingolipids
gotu kola
green tea
Gypenoside
Haematococcus pluvialis
hericium mushroom
Honokiol
icariin
inosine
isoliquiritigenin
Jatamansi
Kaempferol
L-carnosine
L-glutathione
lingzhi
lion's mane
luteolin
magnolol
mangiferin
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Melatonin
Myricetin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
NADH
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
Oleuropein
omega-3 fatty acids
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
phosphatidylserine
Phosphocreatine
phytocannabinoids
Puerain
Puerarin
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
resveratrol
Salidroside
Salvianolic acid
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Shilajit
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Tanshinone
Trehalose
Triacetyluridine
Tumerone
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Urolithin A
velvet bean
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Vitexin
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthine
Xanthohumol
Xanthone
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)

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