Indication Asgwagandha

• Adaptogen...substances theorized to help reduce resist due to anxiety, fatigue, infection, etc

Real efficacy?

• Possibly effective for anxiety or psyhological stress...based on small studies suggesting modest benefit
• Suggest to reduce time to fall asleep, increase total sleep time, and improve sleep quality...when compared placebo

Dosage for use?

• Probably 240- 1000 mg daily for up to 12 weeks for anxiety or stress
• Up to 600 mg daily x 8 weeks for insomnia

Any other use

• Not enough date to support other indications ADHD, athletic performance, or fertility

Ashwagandha in children?

• Caution use in children...due to limited data in children...for any use

Concerns with Ashwagandha

• Seems to be well-tolerated
• Avoid pregnancy
• Cases of liver injury or drugs that cause hepatotoxicity (isonazide, methotrexate, phenyltoin)
• Caution with autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis)...due to its immunostimulant effect

DDI with Ashwagandha?

• Additive effect with thyroid hormones
• Meds lower blood glucose or blood pressure
• Anestetics due to additive effect...stop 2 weeks before surgery