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.