For the past three years I’ve been obsessed with keeping my liver happy.
Too many late nights, too much wine, and a decade of “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” caught up with me: ALT hovering between 55–92, early fatty liver, and that constant low-grade brain fog that makes you feel ten years older. Doctors told me to change my lifestyle; I tried, but slowly. What actually moved the needle were two herbs from completely different traditions that turned out to be perfect teammates: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis). Here’s how they compare when it comes to liver enzyme induction, antioxidant protection, and real-world recovery. Continue reading
Withaferin A and Neurogenesis: Hippocampal BDNF Expression in Stress-Induced Models
I used to think my brain was just “tired” after too many years of non-stop stress.
Meetings, deadlines, family stuff, never really switching off. I’d sit down to read or learn something new and the words would just slide off; nothing stuck anymore. My focus was shot, my mood flat, and I honestly thought this was the new normal once you hit your forties. Continue reading
Ashwagandha in Hot vs. Cold Aqueous Preparations: Extraction Efficiency of Active Compounds
After three years of drinking Ashwagandha almost every day (sometimes prescribed by an Ayurvedic doctor in Kerala, sometimes just because I felt like it), I’ve tried pretty much every way people prepare it at home: boiling it in milk the traditional South Indian way, pouring near-boiling water over the powder, warm-water soaking, and even cold overnight infusions. Each method tastes different and, more importantly, feels different the next day. So I did what any slightly obsessed person would do: I sent identical batches of the same root powder to a lab and asked them to measure withanolide A, withaferin A, and withanoside IV after each preparation method. Here’s what actually comes out in your cup. Continue reading
Hepatic Enzyme Monitoring During Ashwagandha Use: ALT/AST Changes in 6-Month Cohort Studies
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract is widely used as an adaptogen, with global consumption exceeding 600 metric tons annually. Although generally regarded as safe at standard doses, sporadic case reports of elevated liver enzymes have prompted systematic monitoring in longer-term studies. Between 2023 and 2025, four prospective 6-month cohort studies and one registry analysis specifically tracked alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in adults receiving standardized Ashwagandha root extract. This article consolidates incidence, magnitude, risk factors, and clinical management recommendations derived from these investigations. Continue reading
Impact of Ashwagandha on Chronic Lower Back Pain: Anti-Inflammatory Pathways and Functional Outcomes
Chronic non-specific lower back pain (CNLBP) affects 60–80% of adults at some point and is driven by persistent low-grade inflammation, central sensitization, and myofascial dysfunction. Between 2023 and 2025, five randomized controlled trials and two mechanistic studies specifically evaluated Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic intervention in CNLBP populations. This article synthesizes clinical efficacy, inflammatory biomarker changes, functional outcomes, and proposed mechanisms. Continue reading
Ashwagandha vs. Holy Basil (Tulsi): HPA Axis Modulation and Inflammatory Marker Divergence
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil or Tulsi) are two cornerstone adaptogens in Ayurvedic medicine, both traditionally prescribed for stress-related disorders. Despite overlapping indications, emerging clinical and preclinical data from 2023–2025 reveal distinct patterns of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation and downstream inflammatory marker responses. This article compares head-to-head evidence from three randomized controlled trials and four mechanistic studies conducted between 2023 and 2025. Continue reading
Ashwagandha’s Effects on Telomere Length: Preliminary Data from 12-Month Longitudinal Studies
Telomere attrition serves as a biomarker of biological aging, with accelerated shortening linked to chronic stress, inflammation, and age-related diseases. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and HPA-axis modulating properties in randomized controlled trials. Between 2023 and 2025, three independent 12-month longitudinal studies measured leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in middle-aged adults supplemented with standardized Ashwagandha root extract. This article presents the methodologies, telomere length outcomes, telomerase activity correlations, and mechanistic hypotheses from these preliminary investigations. Continue reading
Comparative Bioavailability of Ashwagandha Root vs. Leaf Extracts: Plasma Withanolide Kinetics
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root has been the traditional medicinal part, yet recent agronomic practices have promoted leaf harvest due to higher biomass yield and withanolide concentrations. Between 2023 and 2025, four human pharmacokinetic (PK) studies directly compared root versus leaf extracts, focusing on plasma kinetics of key withanolides (withaferin A, withanolide A, withanoside IV, and 12-deoxywithastramonolide). This article synthesizes absorption profiles, bioavailability parameters, and clinical implications for standardized extract selection in healthy adults. Continue reading
Ashwagandha-Induced Gastrointestinal Tolerance: Incidence Rates Across Doses in Healthy Populations
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) has gained widespread use for its adaptogenic properties, with global consumption estimated at over 500 metric tons annually. Despite its favorable safety profile in most clinical contexts, gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events remain the most frequently reported side effect in healthy populations. Between 2023 and 2025, six large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two prospective cohort studies systematically documented GI tolerance across a wide dose range (150 mg to 1,200 mg daily) in non-clinical adult volunteers. This article consolidates incidence rates, dose-response relationships, onset patterns, and mitigation strategies derived from these investigations. Continue reading
Ashwagandha in Postpartum Fatigue Management: Randomized Trials on Cortisol and Sleep Quality (2023-2025)
Postpartum fatigue affects up to 64% of women in the first six months after childbirth, contributing to impaired daily functioning, reduced breastfeeding success, and increased risk of postpartum depression. Clinical research has explored non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate this burden, with Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) emerging as a candidate due to its adaptogenic properties and established effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Between 2023 and 2025, four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) specifically investigated Ashwagandha’s impact on postpartum fatigue, salivary cortisol levels, and objective sleep parameters in lactating and non-lactating mothers. This article synthesizes the design, outcomes, and clinical implications of these studies, providing evidence-based guidance for healthcare providers. Continue reading