Health Propaganda, Exposed
Before you act: Don't stop, replace, or delay any treatment without talking to your doctor.
“This study was funded by Arjuna Natural Ltd.”
Human randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (60 healthy adults with self-reported high stress; 60 days).
Industry. The paper states: "This study was funded by Arjuna Natural Ltd." (the extract's maker). One author had previously received study funding from the company.
A peer-reviewed trial testing a commercial ashwagandha extract (240 mg/day) against placebo, with anxiety scales and hormone measurements.
The authors report that, compared with placebo, ashwagandha "was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the HAM-A (P = .040) and a near-significant reduction in the DASS-21 (P = .096)," plus greater reductions in morning cortisol and DHEA-S. "All participants completed the trial with no adverse events reported."
It does not show effects in people with diagnosed anxiety disorders; the authors say effects "in clinical populations ... remain to be determined" and that "larger sample sizes, diverse clinical and cultural populations, and varying treatment dosages are needed." The self-reported stress measure (DASS-21) did not reach significance. Results apply to one branded extract.
Separate case reports describe liver injury linked to ashwagandha (see our entry on the Indian case series). A 60-day trial of 60 people cannot detect rare adverse effects.