Sleep - Ashwagandha improved sleep quality in adults.

Mental alertness improved

Ashwagandha is an ancient Ayurvedic and Chinese remedy which medicine today considers an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a natural substance with anti-fatigue, nerve, and immune-supporting properties, which helps the body adapt to many types of stress.

In this study, 50 men and women, aged 65 to 80, who entered the study reporting low sleep quality and poor mental alertness on waking, took a placebo or 600 mg of ashwagandha per day, and periodically answered a variety of sleep and quality-of-life questionnaires.

Compared to placebo, participants taking ashwagandha began reporting improvements in sleep quality and better mental alertness on waking, beginning at four weeks and continuing through eight and 12 weeks.

Discussing the findings, doctors said, at the study dose of 600 mg per day, participants taking ashwagandha consistently reported improved quality of life, quality of sleep, and waking mental alertness, and that ashwagandha was well-tolerated and safe.

Reference: Cureus; 2020, Vol. 12, No. 2, e7083, Published Online