Blackmores Institute

The study, a randomised double-bind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study among healthy participants and those with insomnia conducted over eight weeks, found that supplementation ashwagandha significantly improved sleep quality in both study groups compared to placebo. A total of 80 participants were included in the study, were randomised in each arm to receive either 300mg of ashwagandha root or placebo twice daily for the duration of the study. The sleep parameters assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) which includes seven components – subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medications and daytime dysfunction over the last month. In addition, among other measures, mental alertness on rising was assessed and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale was used to measure perceived severity of anxiety symptoms. “Insomnia affects the global population at all age groups, but specifically the elderly populations. Recent studies and surveys suggest that insomnia is on the rise in the younger and working populations. Sleep disorders and insomnia can affect the quality of life of an individual and can cause physical and psychological health problems. Available medications fail to improve the conditions either due to drug addiction or serious adverse effects, especially in the elderly population,” the researchers reported. “The results of this study showed that the use of Ashwagandha root extract was considerably effective in both healthy subjects and patients with insomnia. Ashwagandha root extract supplementation significantly improved different components of sleep quality in comparison to the placebo used. It was observed at the end of the study that sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, and total PSQI scores, decreased significantly in the Ashwagandha supplemented intervention group.” According to the study, the pharmacological action of hypnotic or soporific drugs in inducing sleep is linked to the physiological alteration in the neurotransmitter gated ion channels and a reduction in cerebral metabolism rate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediated activity. “The gradual inhibition of such neuronal activity, mostly by GABA, induces sleep. Ashwagandha is reported to be an effective sleep promoter in Ayurvedic medicine. Methanolic extract of Withania root displayed antagonistic activity for the binding of effective GABA receptor antagonists and complete inhibition was attained with 1 mg of the extract,” the authors said. Ashwagandha has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and has an established reputation for supporting general health and wellbeing as well as in specific ailments. Although the herb is known for its sleep-inducing properties there is little clinical evidence which prompted the researchers to conduct this study. “The current study results demonstrated significant improvements in sleep parameters, PSQI, mental alertness, and anxiety parameters. The results were found to be statistically significant in comparison to the placebo. Therefore, the outcomes suggest that Ashwagandha root extract has an admirable effect in improving sleep and relegating anxiety among both healthy and subjects diagnosed with insomnia. “This study provides valuable information for considering Ashwagandha root extract as an alternative therapeutic component for insomnia. However, a large multi-centric study with a diverse population is needed to generalise the impact of the present findings,” the authors concluded.Source:
 Langade D, et.al.: Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 264 (2021) 113276; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113276" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113276</a>

With increasing numbers of people reporting sleep problems, a new study on ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) may offer the answer to a good night’s sleep.

Recommended for you

Fenugreek | Supporting women through menopause

Siberian ginseng for mental focus

Echinacea in Clinical Practice

Milk Thistle | From liver support to metabolic balance