Ashwagandha May Help Improve Sleep and Reduce Stress

Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. It has been used for centuries in Ayuverdic medicine. A new study has found that a water-dispersible Ashwagandha extract may help improve sleep quality and reduce stress.

Thirty adults experiencing stress and insomnia participated in the study. They were given 500 mg of Ashwagandha or a placebo daily for 30 days. The Insomnia Severity Index was used to evaluate insomnia symptoms. The Perceived Stress Scale was used to evaluate stress, and the Quality of Life General Health Questionnaire evaluated quality of life measures.

Participants in the Ashwagandha group saw a 55% improvement in sleep quality and significant improvements in quality of life at day 15 and day 30 compared to baseline scores. Stress scores on the Perceived Stress Scale assessment were reduced by 10 points in the Ashwagandha group. In addition, there was a reduction in morning serum cortisol levels.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Target Institute of Medical Education & Research. It was published online ahead of print on June 15, 2021, in the International Journal For Research In Applied And Natural Science.