Ashwagandha: ally against stress or false miracle remedy?

Suddenly, Ashwagandha is everywhere. Nevertheless, The growing interest in natural care associated with the enthusiasm of celebrities. For example, other influencers caused an explosion of curiosity towards this medicinal plant.

However, Ashwagandha is nothing new, the plant is used in traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda, for thousands of years. However, With such sustainability. Meanwhile, how not to believe in the virtues of that that scientists call Withania somnifera, especially since the studies indeed suggest that Ashwagandha provides certain benefits in terms of stress, anxiety, sleep and various other aspects of our health.

Of course, Ashwagandha is not a miracle remedy. Consequently, Scientists do not really know which bioactive components of the plant are beneficial or how they work. In addition. In addition, Ashwagandha’s additional complements are not beneficial for everyone; In Ayurveda, these plants are prescribed according to the symptoms, the constitution and the ashwagandha: ally against stress false patient’s medical history, as explained by Chii Parikh, co -founder of the integrative medicine program within the Weill Medical College in association with the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Furthermore, Parikh also recalls that ashwagandha misuse can cause undesirable effects.

L’ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a shrub also seized Indian ginseng. Nevertheless, “Ashwagandha has been used for centuries for various health problems,” says Parikh. Similarly, The plant is often qualified as an adaptogen: it helps the body to adapt to stressful agents and restore balance. Similarly, The plant also helps to reduce inflammation, stimulate energy, relieve anxiety and improve sleep. Therefore, »»

To regulate the response to the stress of the body. Meanwhile, reduce inflammation, Ashwagandha could count on various active components, including overlyanic alkaloids and steroidal lactones.

“Different parts of the Ashwagandha plant. Meanwhile, such as root, leaves or berries, may have different concentrations of bioactive compounds,” adds Parikh. Among these ashwagandha: ally against stress false compounds include Withanolids, natural steroidal molecules associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory virtues for the organism. “Studies suggest that standardized extracts containing a high concentration of Withanolids are the most effective,” said the scientist.

Ring adds that these bioactive compounds could have an impact on the signaling pathways. the chemical reactions that guide the cellular function. “Nevertheless, the specific mechanisms by which Ashwagandha exercises its various effects remain an active field of research,” she said.

Whatever the mechanisms in question, an increasing number of scientific studies suggest that some people could benefit from Ashwagandha.

According to several studies of small numbers, the plant would contribute for example to relieve stress. A systematic journal conducted in 2021 analyzed the results of seven different studies involving a total of 491 adults in India. Participants with stress. anxiety were divided into several groups to receive either a placebo or various extracts from plants or ashwagandha: ally against stress false Ashwagandha leaves for six to eight weeks. Participants who received Ashwagandha reported significantly reduced levels of stress and anxiety. This is also the case for other studies in India. the United States out of a total of 250 adult participants.

For Ring. these clinical studies “offer promising evidence” of the potential of Ashwagandha to reduce anxiety, but it adds that “the plant must be integrated into a global care plan that could include conventional treatments, a modification of lifestyle and other support measures. »»

The name of the species. sometheraderived from the Latin sleeping which means “inducing sleep”, suggests that the plant has long been renowned for this property. Sleep studies confirming this effect also relate to small populations, but their results are promising. In a systematic journal conducted in 2021 on five distinct studies. all conducted in India, involving 372 adults receiving an extract from Ashwagandha or a placebo, ashwagandha: ally against stress false the authors signal an “modest but significant” impact on the improvement of the quality and duration of sleep, more particularly in people with insomnia.

According to studies in mice. a compound that can be isolated from Ashwagandha leaves, triethylene glycol, would help promote sleep by acting on GABA receptors that soothe the brain by inhibiting the activity of nerve cells associated with stress or fear.

“It has also been shown that Ashwagandha’s extract improved the liveliness of mind. no serious side effects have been declared,” said Ring.

Other studies. some of which are in progress, have explored the possible benefits of the plant in the relief of arthritis, sexual health and male infertility, diabetes or even cognition, including attention and memory. In most cases, more data is still necessary to draw conclusions.

“The use of Ashwagandha seems to be safe for most people over a duration of up to three ashwagandha: ally against stress false months. ” said Barbara C. Sorkin, director of the United States National Institutes of Health Centers Program. “However, ashwagandha security has not been demonstrated in pregnant, breastfeeding or prostate cancer. In addition, scientists have no data on the use of Ashwagandha for a period of more than three months. »»

In general, side effects remain light and are limited to stomachs or nausea. “However, serious side effects have been reported in certain cases, including liver problems,” says Sorkin. Additionally, “Ashwagandha could also affect the functioning of the thyroid gland and interact with synthetic thyroid hormone drugs or other drugs. »»

In the United States. food supplements do not benefit from a legislative framework as strict as that of drugs, it can therefore be difficult to know the precise quantity of active compounds present in a given supplement. Third -party platforms like ConsumerLab can help American consumers identify manufacturers who comply ashwagandha: ally against stress false with quality standards. In France. even if the food supplements are more supervised, ANSES still regrets the lack of harmonization on a European scale and the lack of precision concerning the Withanolid contents of Ashwagandha supplements.

In addition. Parikh recommends that anyone wishing to make the use of Ashwagandha to consult a doctor beforehand to ensure the compatibility of the plant with their state of health and any treatments, then to consult it again after a time of use.

“As an internal doctor also trained in Ayurveda. I use this plant for people confronted with significant stress and when inflammation seems to be part of the symptoms,” she testifies. “Remember, have the Ashwagandha,” more is not always synonymous with better. »»