Withania somnifera – a clinically diverse herbal medicine

Recent scientific clinical trials have demonstrated the therapeutic diversity of the herbal medicine Withania, with positive benefits noted for stress reduction, tonic effects, anxiety reduction, general health, antioxidant status and male fertility. What is equally significant is the observation that, hidden within the trial data, is information to support the role of Withania as a significant antiageing herb able to promote healthy longevity. This is one of my most prescribed herbs at the clinic.

On a recent randomised control trial published in the Journal of American Nutraceutical Association, 130 chronically stressed patients were divided into two groups who received either Withania extract or a placebo (dummy pill) for 60 days. By day 60 the group taking the herbal medicine, compared to the group taking the dummy pill showed a significant reduction in serum cortisol (measured in the morning) of 30.5% and an increase in serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS) of 32.5%. Significant reductions from baseline were also measured for C-reactive protein (35.2%), fasting blood glucose (6.1%), total cholesterol (13.1%), triglycerides (11.7%) and LDL-cholesterol (17.4%). There were small but significant reductions in pulse rate and blood pressure. There were no side effects reported from taking Withania.

The above observations support the role of Withania as a key antiageing herb. C-reactive protein, fasting total cholesterol and LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure and triglycerides are all well acknowledged as significant cardiovascular risk factors that were favorably influenced by Withania treatment.

Results from two uncontrolled clinical trials from the same research group suggest that Withania

might exert beneficial effects in male fertility.

In the other trial, 60 infertile men with normal sperm parameters received the same dose of Withania for 3 months. The men were classified into 3 subgroups: 20 heavy smokers, 20 under

psychological stress and 20 with infertility of unknown cause. Again the various parameters measured were assessed against an untreated healthy control group. Significant improvements were noted for sperm liquefaction and concentration in all 3 subgroups. Semen volume was not changed in any subgroup and sperm motility improved only in the smokers and stressed men.

In another double blind, placebo-controlled trial carried out on Withania 39 patients diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder were divided to receive either Withania or placebo for 6 weeks. The average generalized anxiety score dropped more in the herbal group, which trended towards a significant benefit compared to placebo. Though there was a small amount of participants in this scientific trail, Withania has been used traditionally for over one hundred years to treat anxiety.

One more study worth mentioning was carried out on Canada Post employees with moderate to severe anxiety of longer than 6 weeks, they were divided to receive either a nutritionists advice plus Withania or psychotherapy plus a placebo for 12 weeks. Nutritionist care consisted of dietary counselling, relaxation techniques, a standard multivitamin and Withania extract. The psychotherapy group received psychotherapy, a matched relaxation technique and a placebo. Seventy five participants were followed for 8 or more weeks and by the end of the trial final Anxiety scores had decreased by 56.5% in the Withania/Nutrition group compared to 30.5% in the placebo/psychotherapy group. Significant differences favouring Withania/nutrition treatment were also observed for mental health, concentration, fatigue, social functioning and overall quality of life. No side effects were observed in either group.