Ashwagandha Root Extract (Withania somnifera)

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is an acclaimed herb that has been taken for thousands of years in Indian Ayurvedic practice. It is known as an adaptogen, a plant traditionally used to help the body respond to everyday stress.

Ashwagandha KSM-66® is a patented form of Ashwagandha, and the most clinically trialled.

What does the research say about Ashwagandha?

In a clinical trial in healthy adults, Ashwagandha was studied for its effects on perceived stress, emotional resilience and relaxation, and other research has looked at sleep quality.

In clinical trials, KSM-66® has been shown to help manage everyday stress, and has been studied for its effects on calm, stamina and energy.

In our research into stress, 78% of people experience stress or anxiety at least once a week. You may also enjoy reading 'Adaptogens that can change your life' and learning about the '6 big signs of stress'.

Why it's in Stay Calm®

Ashwagandha KSM-66® Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogen widely studied for its ability to reduce stress and promote a sense of calmness without sedation. Ashwagandha KSM-66®, a highly bioavailable, full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha, preserves the natural balance of the active compound.

Regulation of cortisol levels: Ashwagandha KSM-66® regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, reducing the overproduction of cortisol. A systemic review and meta-analysis looking at the role of Ashwagandha on psychosomatic functions related to stress and anxiety found a significant effect of Ashwagandha on perceived stress.¹ Clinical studies demonstrate a significant reduction in serum cortisol levels, with one study showing that in just after 60 days of supplementation with Ashwagandha.²

Balancing neurotransmitters: Ashwagandha balances the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety. It also supports serotonin signalling, helping improve mood and emotional resilience.

Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress: Ashwagandha contains withanolides, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that decrease the cellular damage caused by chronic stress as well as reducing inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), which are often raised in patients with chronic stress.

Modulation of stress hormones: Ashwagandha decreases adrenaline and noradrenaline secretion, dampening the fight-or-flight response and enhancing parasympathetic activity.

Why it's in Men's ProMulti

Ashwagandha is a well-known adaptogen. KSM-66® is a patented form with the most bioavailable and concentrated extract. Ashwagandha reduces cortisol levels via the HPA axis.³ KSM-66® also supports cognitive function, with clinical studies suggesting its potential to improve memory, attention, and executive function.⁴ For men, Ashwagandha supplementation can enhance physical performance, increase testosterone levels, and improve muscle mass and strength.⁵

Why it's in Ashwagandha KSM-66®

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been used for over 3,000 years to promote resilience to stress, improve energy levels, and enhance overall wellbeing.

The active constituents in Ashwagandha include:

Withanolides: Steroidal lactones that contribute to the herb’s adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties.

Alkaloids: Help in stress management.

Saponins and sitoindosides: Support antioxidant activity and overall health.

Mechanism of action

Adaptogenic effects: Ashwagandha modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, reducing cortisol levels.³ It does this by regulating corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)⁶ and reducing the release of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Stress activates the hypothalamus to release CRH, which signals the pituitary to produce ACTH. ACTH then stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol. Ashwagandha reduces excessive CRH release in response to stress. By dampening the initial trigger of the stress cascade, it prevents hyperactivation of the HPA axis. ACTH amplifies the stress response by driving cortisol production in the adrenal glands. By modulating pituitary response, Ashwagandha reduces ACTH secretion, indirectly lowering cortisol levels.

Neurological benefits: Ashwagandha increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),⁷ supporting neurogenesis. BDNF is a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors, which are essential for promoting the survival of existing neurones and encouraging the growth and differentiation of new neurones and synapses, particularly in the hippocampus, the brain’s centre for learning and memory. BDNF enhances synaptic plasticity, which is essential for memory formation and adaptation to stress. Chronic stress reduces BDNF levels, impairing neurogenesis and increasing the risk of cognitive decline and mood disorders like depression. Ashwagandha reduces cortisol levels, decreasing the negative effects of chronic stress on BDNF expression. Ashwagandha creates a more favourable environment for BDNF synthesis by restoring homeostasis in the HPA axis. Oxidative stress and inflammation can decrease BDNF expression and impair neural function. Ashwagandha contains potent antioxidants, such as withanolides, that reduce oxidative damage in the brain. Its anti-inflammatory properties suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. TNF-alpha and IL-6), which are known to inhibit BDNF production.

GABA and serotonin activity: Ashwagandha enhances Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) activity,⁸ promoting relaxation and reducing the stress-induced suppression of BDNF. Ashwagandha increases serotonin signalling, which is positively correlated with BDNF levels and neural plasticity.

Activation of molecular pathways: Ashwagandha activates the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signalling pathway, which promotes BDNF expression and neuronal survival. It influences the cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) response element-binding protein (CREB), a transcription factor that directly regulates BDNF gene expression.

Thyroid health: Ashwagandha’s main mechanism of action for supporting thyroid health is through hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis modulation, an axis that works in communication with the brain and the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce the stress hormone cortisol, and reducing the level of cortisol production can help those with chronic stress. Chronic stress and raised cortisol are known contributors to thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism. Ashwagandha treatment effectively normalises the serum thyroid levels in those with thyroid dysfunction.⁹ Ashwagandha improves the secretory function of the thyroid gland and causes an increase in the secretion of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) by the thyroid gland and a subsequent decrease in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in accordance with the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis.³

Human research and reviews

An alternative medicine review, which looked at 58 published studies, concluded that Ashwagandha possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-stress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, haemopoietic, and rejuvenating properties. It also positively influences the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous systems.¹⁰ A review of preclinical studies and clinical trials concludes Ashwagandha’s extensive potential as neuroprotective in various brain disorders.¹¹ A systematic review of human trials concluded that Ashwagandha has a strong indication for the alleviation of stress and anxiety symptoms.¹² A review published in the Journal of Molecular Science concluded that Ashwagandha improves the secretory function of the thyroid gland and causes an increase in the secretion of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) by the thyroid gland and a subsequent decrease in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in accordance with the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, among other endocrine benefits.³

Why it's in Women's ProMulti

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that reduces stress and enhances wellbeing.

Stress reduction: Ashwagandha modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, regulates the body’s response to stress, and reduces cortisol levels, helping alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Anti-inflammatory: Ashwagandha contains anti-inflammatory withanolides, benefiting conditions related to chronic inflammation.

Cognition: Ashwagandha enhances cognitive function by stimulating neurogenesis, mediated by the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway, which activates different pathways including mTOR, CREB, GSK3, NF-^KB, Nrf2, and NOS.¹³ Ashwagandha supports memory, attention, and information processing due to its ability to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neurone growth and survival.

Hormonal balance: Ashwagandha improves reproductive health in women by supporting hormonal balance and enhancing libido. It works via the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis to decrease cortisol, which has a positive effect on reproductive hormones. It also influences thyroid function by promoting the synthesis of thyroid hormones.³

Why it's in PeriMenoFriend®

Ashwagandha modulates the HPA axis to reduce cortisol levels.

Stress and cortisol regulation: Elevated cortisol levels, often worsened during perimenopause, leads to fatigue, mood disturbances, and weight gain. Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and the associated symptoms.¹⁴

Thyroid function: Ashwagandha enhances the production of thyroid hormones, which can be beneficial during perimenopause, as hormonal imbalances may impact thyroid function. Improved thyroid activity can help regulate metabolism, energy levels, and mood.¹⁵

Sexual function: Significant improvements in sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm and an increase in the amount of successful sexual intercourse achieved in women taking Ashwagandha.¹⁶ Ashwagandha increases dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a precursor to sex hormones like oestrogen and testosterone, both of which are needed for female sexual desire and function.