Evidence supporting the use of: Ashwagandha
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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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 for a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including joint pain and forms of arthritis like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is classified as a "rasayana" or rejuvenating herb and is often recommended to reduce “ama” (toxins) and balance “vata” dosha, which are considered contributors to arthritis symptoms. Traditional texts describe its use for reducing swelling, pain, and stiffness associated with RA-like conditions.

From a scientific standpoint, some preclinical studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha extracts in animal models, which could theoretically be beneficial for RA. The herb contains compounds such as withanolides, which have shown anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory settings. However, clinical evidence in humans with RA specifically is limited. Few small-scale clinical trials have explored Ashwagandha in arthritis, often in combination with other herbs, making it difficult to isolate its effects. No high-quality, large randomized controlled trials have definitively established its efficacy or safety for RA.

In summary, the use of Ashwagandha for RA is primarily justified by tradition, with some low-level scientific evidence suggesting potential anti-inflammatory benefits. However, robust clinical validation in RA patients is currently lacking.

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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