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Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/CCSRR-RA-25-36

Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on Stress and Anxiety: A Systematic Review

Pradeep Kumar Prajapati 1, Govind Prasad Gupta 2, Devendra Singh Chahar 3, Harish Kumar Singhal 4, Brahmanand Sharma 5, Neetu Sharma 6*, Bhanu Priya Chaudhary 7, Anurag Gupta 8

1 Vice Chancellor, Dr. S. R. Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur

2 Professor, Department of Roga Nidana, Dr. S. R. Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur 

3 Professor, Department of Maulik Siddhant, Dr. S. R. Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur

4 Professor, P.G. Department of Kaumarbhritya, Dr. S. R. Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur

5 Associate Professor, P. G. Department of Kayachikitasa, Dr. S. R. Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur

6 Assistant Professor, P.G. Department of Kayachikitasa, Dr. S. R. Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur

7 Assistant Professor, P.G. Department of Kayachikitasa, Dr. S. R. Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur

8 Senior Scientist, Bright Life Care Pvt Ltd, Gurugram, Haryana-1220012

*Corresponding Author: Neetu Sharma, Assistant Professor, P.G. Department of Kayachikitasa, Dr. S. R. Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur

Citation: Pradeep Kumar Prajapati, Govind Prasad Gupta, Devendra Singh Chahar, Harish Kumar Singhal, Neetu Sharma, (2025). Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on Stress and Anxiety: A Systematic Review, J Clinical Case Studies and Review Reports. 2(4) 36, DOI: CCSRR-RA-25-36

Copyright: Pradeep Kumar Prajapati, et al © (2025). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Received: 05 July 2025 | Accepted: 12 July 2025 | Published: 21 July 2025

Keywords: anxiety; ashwagandha; ayurveda; perceived stress scale (pss); psychosomatic; stress; withania somnifera; ashwagandha

Abstract

Background: Stress is a known causative factor in modulating cognitive health, on which the overall well-being and quality of life are dependent. Long-term stress has shown to disrupt the balance of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Adaptogens, such as Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), are commonly used in ayurvedic medicine for stress relief and ameliorating HPA-axis dysfunction. Its current research covers many aspects of human health, including neuroprotective, sedative and adaptogenic effects, and effects on sleep. The species name somnifera comes from the Latin word for sleep-inducing, signifying another purported property of this botanical. In addition to sleep, Ashwagandha is commonly promoted for stress and anxiety reduction. Ashwagandha is rich in phytochemicals, including steroidal lactones (known as withanolides) and alkaloids. 

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of Ashwagandha on stress and anxiety were included. Both subjective and objective measures of stress and anxiety were assessed as outcome variables. 

Conclusion: The findings from the included studies indicated that Ashwagandha formulations had beneficial effects on stress and axnxiety. The adverse effects associated with Ashwagandha are limited; however, further information is required to determine its safety with long-term administration.

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