Ashwagandha & Depression: A Viable Natural Remedy?

By: Robert Porter
Updated March 08, 2021

Depression is more than feeling sad, it can affect a person’s work, relationships, family, and daily life. Trying to get through depression on your own, without medicine or therapy, can be difficult. Even so, many people worry about the potential side effects of prescription drugs and are hesitant to take antidepressant medications. Instead, they may seek out holistic options whenever possible.

Can Ashwagandha Help With Depression?

One natural remedy known as ashwagandha has been gaining a lot of traction lately. Ashwagandha has been touted as a possible treatment for depression, but does it work well enough to replace antidepressant medications? While ashwagandha may not be as effective as antidepressants, it does show some promise in several key areas. This article will shed a little light on what ashwagandha is and how it can play a role in your treatment plan.

What Is Ashwagandha, And What Can It Do?

Before going any further, it's helpful to understand more about the ashwagandha plant itself. Ashwagandha, also sometimes called Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, or winter cherry, is a perennial nightshade shrub with small bell-shaped flowers and orange-red fruit.

For centuries, people have used the ashwagandha plant’s stem and berries to make medicines to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, arthritis, asthma, hiccups, and much more. The medical herb is commonly used in Ayurveda, the alternative medicine system that originated in India.

In the United States, ashwagandha extract is sold in health stores around the country, most notably because of the plant’s anti-anxiety benefits. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which means it supports the body's natural ability to combat stress. Ashwagandha root extract, more specifically, is used to help reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone and having too much cortisol can lead to anxiety. Because it reliably reduces cortisol levels, ashwagandha is a useful natural option that may help those experiencing mild anxiety.

If you're experiencing insomnia issues, then they might be related to elevated stress levels. Ashwagandha has also been used as a sleep aid. In fact, the plant’s species name—somnifera—means "sleep-inducing” in Latin. Talk with your doctor to determine if taking ashwagandha might help to reduce stress and make it easier for you to fall asleep.

Dietary supplements containing ashwagandha are also widely sold in the U.S., but evidence about their effectiveness in that arena is lacking. Similarly, please consult with your doctor or primary care physician before considering ashwagandha.