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All 76 studies in the study browser
Included: human randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ashwagandha indexed in PubMed. A PubMed search on October 15, 2026 returned 114 records. 76 remain after excluding protocols, retractions, comments and papers that did not study ashwagandha as the intervention or exposure. Below are all 25 reviews and the 25 highest-scored individual studies. The study browser has the rest.
Scores run from 1 to 5 and rate study design only. The rules and reason codes are on Study Scores. Each finding restates the abstract's own conclusion.
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| Score | Study | Design, n | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (MA +large) | Fatima, 2024 | Meta-analysis, 2023 studies | While W. somnifera extracts yielded promising results, further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm its effects on anxiety and insomnia. |
| 4 (SR +large) | Alyami, 2026 | Systematic review, 34 studies | This systematic review identifies these conditions as priority targets for well-designed clinical trials. The bioactive constituents-crocin and safranal in saffron, and withanolides in ashwagandha-share overlapping mechanistic... |
| 4 (MA) | Farrin, 2026 | Meta-analysis, 11 studies, n=667 | Certainty of evidence was very low for both outcomes. Ashwagandha may modestly reduce FBG, but substantial heterogeneity and very low certainty preclude clinical recommendations. |
| 4 (MA) | Li, 2026 | Meta-analysis, 5 studies, n=599 | Oral ashwagandha may improve selected exercise-performance outcomes, particularly aerobic endurance, but benefits are not uniform across contexts. Future trials should be preregistered, adequately powered, double-blind,... |
| 4 (MA) | Zhu, 2026 | Meta-analysis, n=1,249 | Ashwagandha supplementation significantly improved several aspects of cognitive function (including global cognitive, memory, attention and processing speed, executive function, and visuospatial ability), as well as serum... |
| 4 (MA) | Albalawi, 2025 | Meta-analysis, 7 studies, n=488 | The disconnect between cortisol and PSS outcomes highlights the need for longer treatment duration and broader demographic inclusion. Longitudinal research is recommended to validate Ashwagandha as a holistic stress management tool. |
| 4 (MA) | Arumugam, 2024 | Meta-analysis, 9 studies, n=558 | The findings from the included studies indicate that Ashwagandha formulations have beneficial effects on stress and anxiety. The adverse effects associated with Ashwagandha are limited; however, further information is required to... |
| 4 (SR +large) | Della Porta, 2023 | Systematic review, 4788 studies | Brief-term supplementation with WS appears to have a stress-reducing effect in stressed individuals. However, since the long-term effects of WS supplementation are not yet fully understood, WS supplements should be used under... |
| 4 (MA) | Akhgarjand, 2022 | Meta-analysis, n=1,002 | The current systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs revealed a beneficial effect in both stress and anxiety following Ashwagandha supplementation. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly... |
| 4 (MA) | Pérez-Gómez, 2020 | Meta-analysis, 5 studies, n=162 | Ashwagandha supplementation might improve the VO2max in athlete and non-athlete people. However, further research is need to confirm this hypothesis since the number of studies is limited and the heterogeneity was high. |
| 4 (SR +large) | Tandon, 2020 | Systematic review, 30 studies | Root of the Ayurvedic drug W. somnifera (Aswagandha) appears a promising safe and effective traditional medicine for management of schizophrenia, chronic stress, insomnia, anxiety, memory/cognitive enhancement,... |
| 4 (MA) | Durg, 2020 | Meta-analysis, 5 studies | The results suggest the potential role of W. somnifera in managing DM. However, the available clinical data are not considerably enough to provide novel and sufficiently robust evidence for the use of W. somnifera in managing DM.... |
| 4 (MA) | Durg, 2015 | Meta-analysis, 8 studies | The systematic review provides scientific evidence for the traditional claim of W. somnifera use in different neurological aliments. However, future clinical trials are mandated to establish the therapeutic efficacy and safety in... |
| 3 (MA -few) | Lee, 2026 | Meta-analysis, 4 studies | Adequately powered, independently funded RCTs using direct measures of hypertrophy are required. This review received no external funding and was not registered. |
| 3 (MA -few) | Fornalik, 2026 | Meta-analysis, 2 studies, n=1,706 | Ashwagandha supplementation appears to modulate key hormonal pathways, particularly cortisol and sex hormones. However, heterogeneity and limited data on some endpoints warrant further standardized trials. |
| 3 (MA -few) | Alsanie, 2026 | Meta-analysis, 2 studies | Current evidence suggests that ashwagandha supplementation holds promising potential in alleviating symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. However, to strengthen these findings and translate them into clinical... |
| 3 (SR) | Gómez Afonso, 2023 | Systematic review, 10 studies | Ws supplementation appears to be safe, may regulate hormone levels, and has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the relevance of its application. |
| 3 (MA -few) | Cheah, 2021 | Meta-analysis, 2 studies, n=400 | Ashwagandha extract appears to has a beneficial effect in improving sleep in adults. However, data on the serious adverse effects of Ashwagandha extract are limited, and more safety data would be needed to assess whether it would... |
| 3 (SR) | Ng, 2020 | Systematic review, 5 studies | In most instances, W. somnifera extract improved performance on cognitive tasks, executive function, attention, and reaction time. It also appears to be well tolerated, with good adherence and minimal side effects. |
| 3 (MA -few) | Durg, 2018 | Meta-analysis, 4 studies | Due to a small number of eligible studies, the available data, though promising, are too limited to provide novel and sufficiently robust evidence of the benefits of W. somnifera in male infertility. Additional RCTs of high... |
| 3 (SR) | Pratte, 2014 | Systematic review, 5 studies | All five studies concluded that WS intervention resulted in greater score improvements (significantly in most cases) than placebo in outcomes on anxiety or stress scales. Current evidence should be received with caution because... |
| 2 (SR -few) | Łuszczak, 2026 | Systematic review, 4 studies, n=590 | Their mechanisms involve regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurotransmission, immune and hormonal pathways. Further long-term, high-quality clinical trials, supplemented with molecular and systemic... |
| 2 (SR -nonRCT) | Roy, 2026 | Systematic review | It can also serve as a therapeutic agent in certain reproductive disorders due to its antioxidant nature. In conclusion, ashwagandha appears to be a promising natural adjunct to the enhancement of reproductive health; however,... |
| 2 (SR -nonRCT) | Tallon, 2026 | Systematic review | This review highlights the need for standardized, high-quality research addressing fertility and developmental outcomes in controlled conditions. Given the widespread use of ashwagandha as a dietary supplement ingredient and... |
| 2 (SR -nonRCT) | Nasimi Doost Azgomi, 2018 | Systematic review | WS was found to enhance spermatogenesis and sperm related indices in male and sexual behaviors in female. But, according to some available evidences for spermicidal features, further studies should focus on the extract... |
| Score | Study | Design, n | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (RCT +blind +n200) | Pakhale, 2026 | RCT, n=1,002 | Tolerability ratings showed no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.487), and most of the participants rated the ARE therapy as "Good" or "Excellent." ARE is well-tolerated and safe in adults with stress... |
| 5 (RCT +blind +n200) | Punukollu, 2024 | RCT, n=500 | This short-duration, single-site clinical investigation demonstrates that CL18100F4 supplementation is tolerable, helps relieve constipation, reduces stress, and improves gastrointestinal function, sleep quality, and general... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Pattojoshi, 2026 | RCT, n=60 | No serious adverse events were reported. Ashwagen® was found to be a safe and effective adjunctive integrative intervention for stress and anxiety management in patients with pre-existing hypertension. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Thanawala, 2026 | RCT, n=135 | AshwaSR 150 and 300 mg capsules reduced perceived stress and improved sleep quality, eating behavior, and psychological well-being and were safe in healthy adult, stressed subjects over 60 days of administration. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | West, 2026 | RCT, n=47 | In addition, the APB showed significant differences compared with ARE and PL for PSS, HAM-A total score, OHQ, and POMS (P < 0.05). The proprietary herbal extract of ashwagandha root (300mg twice daily) is considered an effective... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Kale, 2026 | RCT, n=60 | ARE also improved the POMS-A, MFS and BRIEF-A scores from baseline suggesting an improvement in mood, vigor, and an increase in the executive functioning respectively with ARE. The herb was well tolerated and had a good patient... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Pakhale, 2025 | RCT, n=50 | A total of seven participants with ARE and six with PL reported mild adverse events (nausea, abdominal pain, and drowsiness), which were resolved without any intervention. Ashwagandha root extract may offer a safe and beneficial... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Mahadevan, 2025 | RCT, n=90 | We observed significant reductions in both subjective and objective measures of stress with improvement in mood, sleep quality, and occasional anxiety symptoms. ZEN was well tolerated without any related adverse events. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Pandit, 2024 | RCT, n=131 | Our findings demonstrate the stress-reduction capabilities of this well-characterized aqueous extract of WS (root and leaf) at the low dose of 125 mg/day, in a dose-dependent manner, via the modulation of the HPA axis. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Majeed, 2024 | RCT, n=34 | Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that 500 mg of ARE standardized for 2.5% withanolides with 5 mg piperine is beneficial in improving depression, and anxiety, by increasing serum serotonin levels. The trial was... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Verma, 2023 | RCT, n=40 | Eight weeks of AG root extract supplementation along with resistance training is effective in improving muscle strength, growth and endurance in both male and female participants. AG root extract could be a safer, effective and... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Baker, 2022 | RCT, n=60 | Our findings demonstrated that ashwagandha increased college students' perceived well-being through supporting sustained energy, heightened mental clarity, and enhanced sleep quality, through a moderate dose of ashwagandha for... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Gopal, 2021 | RCT, n=100 | These findings suggest that ashwagandha root extract can be a safe and effective option to relieve mild to moderate climacteric symptoms during perimenopause in women. |
| 4 (RCT open +n200) | Chopra, 2021 | RCT, n=400 | Our intent was to explore a safer option to HCQ. We report that WS was not found inferior to HCQ and its efficacy was within the 15 % non-inferiority margin set a priori. WS as an immunomodulator has other clinical benefits... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Verma, 2021 | RCT, n=80 | Ashwagandha is being consumed since time immemorial following the Ayurvedic medicine practices. Modern science requires evidence of the safety and efficacy of the Ashwagandha extract before mass consumption for various health... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Langade, 2021 | RCT, n=80 | The present study confirms that Ashwagandha root extract can improve sleep quality and can help in managing insomnia. Ashwagandha root extract was well tolerated by all the participants irrespective of their health condition and age. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Deshpande, 2020 | RCT, n=150 | Supplementation with the standardized ashwagandha extract for six weeks improved the overall quality of sleep by significantly improving the NRS condition in healthy subjects. No treatment related adverse events were reported in the study. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Gannon, 2019 | RCT, n=66 | Our findings suggest that WSE may hold promise in the treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms in schizophrenia. While the mechanism of its clinical efficacy requires more exploration, the data suggest. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Lopresti, 2019 | RCT, n=50 | The intake of a standardized ashwagandha extract (Shoden beads) for 8 weeks was associated with increased levels of DHEA-S and testosterone, although no significant between-group differences were found in cortisol, estradiol,... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Chengappa, 2018 | RCT, n=33 | This early study suggests that adjunctive treatment with a standardized extract of Withania somnifera provides significant benefits, with minimal side effects, for negative, general, and total symptoms and stress in patients with... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Choudhary, 2017 | RCT, n=52 | Also, the extract was found to be safe and tolerable. The outcome of this study suggests that Ashwagandha root extract can be used for body weight management in adults under chronic stress. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Wankhede, 2015 | RCT, n=57 | This study reports that ashwagandha supplementation is associated with significant increases in muscle mass and strength and suggests that ashwagandha supplementation may be useful in conjunction with a resistance training program. |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Naik, 2026 | RCT, n=29 | No serious adverse events were reported. Supplementation with 300 mg/day of ashwagandha root extract for 56 days significantly improved ADHD symptom severity, executive functioning, and selected patient-reported outcomes in... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n?) | Prajapati, 2026 | RCT | Hematological, hepatic, renal, metabolic, and vital sign parameters remained within normal clinical ranges following intake of LDA. LDA supplementation for 8 weeks significantly enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness, delayed fatigue... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n?) | Jillella, 2026 | RCT | No adverse drug events were encountered. Therefore, Ashwagandha root extract can hold promises for enhancing the skin and hair quality in healthy adults. |