Abstract
A widely used herb in Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha has garnered much attention from individuals worldwide due to its potential therapeutic and health benefits. This comprehensive review examines the nutritional composition, medicinal benefits, and clinical data related to Ashwagandha’s application in modern medicine. Ashwagandha has been used for centuries to treat physical exhaustion, tension, and anxiety, but new research has broadened its medicinal uses. It has many benefits because of its immunomodulatory, anti inflammatory, adaptogenic, and antioxidant properties. Some of the significant bioactive substances include alkaloids, saponins, and withanolides. The clinical studies have established the benefits of Ashwagandha for rental health, metabolic health, stress reduction, cognitive function, immunity, and cardiovascular health. This review also covers the expanding significance of Ashwagandha in nutrition and its uses in functional foods. Despite promising Ashwagandha‐based therapeutics, their science must be developed into standard products, improve the dosing, and eliminate current regulatory hurdles for widespread use.
Introduction
Withania somnifera, the botanical name for Ashwagandha, is an herb well documented in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medical practice. The plant, belonging to the Solanaceae family, is often referred to as “Indian ginseng” or “winter cherry” due to its adaptogenic and restorative properties (Mukherjee et al. 2017). Its roots and leaves are rich in bioactive substances like withanolides, alkaloids, and saponins, giving the herb its adaptogenic properties, enabling the body to withstand physical and emotional stress more effectively (Bhat et al. 2022). This multipurpose herbal medicine has a long history and thrives well in arid conditions. Ashwagandha is described as a “Rasayana” by Ayurveda, meaning it is an agent for promoting health, longevity, and resistance to disease. Historically, it has been used to treat mental illnesses, including disorders such as anxiety, insomnia, and memory loss, as well as to increase physical endurance and reduce fatigue (Prasher et al. 2016; Mukherjee et al. 2021). The very word “Ashwagandha,” meaning “smell of horse,” implies its ancient notion that having it would provide one the vitality and power of a horse (Jain et al. 2024). Its overall mind-body coherence is further underlined within the pages of ancient scriptures such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.
These documents show the preparation and administration of the conditions to be treated, such as rheumatism, sexual impotence, or general weakness (Raut et al. 2012). Scientific evidence of recent times proves to give Ashwagandha its age-long credentials as a healing plant. Modern scientific research has concluded its possible management of many health concerns through the reduction of stress, lowering inflammation, and various kinds of metabolic disorders, including but not limited to lowering cortisol levels—a form of hormone known for causing many ailments, particularly when the secretion occurs excessively (Smith et al. 2023). In addition, clinical studies demonstrated its efficacy in improving muscle strength, recovery, and sleep quality, especially in individuals experiencing heavy stress and fatigue (Wankhede et al. 2015). Ashwagandha has also been incorporated into integrative medicine, which aligns with the growing interest in plant-based and holistic medicines worldwide.
It serves as a nutraceutical in dietary supplements that are believed to enhance immunity, cognitive function, and anti-aging effects. Increasingly, the said products are well-liked in the Western markets since they are perceived as a natural substitute for synthetic drugs in treating stress, anxiety, and exhaustion, opines Lopresti and Smith 2021. This means that Ayurveda has drawn attention to Ashwagandha through modern pharmacological research in the globalization of contemporary Ayurveda and the progression toward evidence-based validation of traditional medicines. The current developments in extraction and formulations have further improved its bioavailability and potency, making it available and acceptable in various cultural and medical contexts (Shinde et al. 2023). Ashwagandha is a shining example of how traditional medicine can transform into modern health issues, fusing the old with the new based on research. Its presence as a historical and contemporary medicinal agent is underscored through its many uses and advantages (Grabowski et al. 2024).
This review aims to comprehensively understand its potential for treating various medical diseases like stress, inflammation, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases by studying its bioactive compounds, pharmacological properties, and clinical applications. Thus, the study also aims to support Ashwagandha’s evidence-based use in therapeutic and preventative healthcare by filling gaps in knowledge and providing insights on how to incorporate Ashwagandha into modern health practices.
Download the full article as PDF here Functional, Nutraceutical, and Health‐Endorsing Perspectives of Ashwagandha
or read more here
Muhammad Tayyab Arshad, Sammra Maqsood, Ali Ikram, Muhammed Adem Abdullahi, Functional, Nutraceutical, and Health‐Endorsing Perspectives of Ashwagandha, Received: 6 December 2024, Revised: 28 February 2025, Accepted: 24 April 2025, WILEY eFood, DOI: https://iadns.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/efd2.70061
