Ayurveda for Stress, Anxiety and Depression: Evidence by Intervention
What trials and reviews found for ashwagandha and other Ayurvedic approaches to stress, anxiety and low mood, with the limits of that evidence, safety cautions and when to get urgent help.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
If you are in crisis, get help now
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In life-threatening situations, call 911. [1] The 988 Lifeline is free, confidential and available around the clock. [2] Depression is a real illness; the NHS advises seeing a GP early and says treatment can combine lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medicine. [3] Ayurvedic products are not a substitute for that care. More on warning signs is on our stress safety and when to get help page.What this page covers
This page reports what research found for specific Ayurvedic interventions. It does not tell you what to take. Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that NCCIH says has been used as a medicinal plant for thousands of years, especially in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. [4] Its traditional role is described on the ashwagandha in Ayurveda page. Most of the modern trials of Ayurveda and mood are about ashwagandha extracts, which are not the same as traditional preparations used by an Ayurvedic practitioner.Evidence by intervention
| Question | What the source found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha for stress and anxiety (placebo-controlled trials) | A 2024 meta-analysis of 9 trials (558 people) found lower perceived stress, anxiety scores and cortisol than placebo. [5] A 2022 meta-analysis of 12 trials (1,002 people) found less anxiety and stress, but rated the certainty of evidence low. [6] | Promising but limited |
| Ashwagandha in people with anxiety disorders | A 2024 meta-analysis of 5 trials (254 people) found lower Hamilton Anxiety scores, with very high variation between trials; the authors call for larger studies. [7] | Promising but limited |
| Ashwagandha in people with diagnosed mental disorders | A 2025 review of 14 studies found improved anxiety, but a second statistical method did not confirm the depression result. [8] | Anxiety: promising but limited. Depression: insufficient evidence |
| Ayurvedic herbal products for cognition, stress, sleep and psychiatric symptoms (2026 review) | 49 controlled reports across 20 herbs; most evidence was for bacopa (memory) and ashwagandha (stress, sleep). Confidence was limited by small studies and poor reporting. [9] | Promising but limited |
| NCCIH summary | Some ashwagandha preparations may help insomnia and stress; evidence on anxiety is unclear. [4] | Mixed |
Proper evidence not found for Ayurvedic treatment of depression on its own. We searched PubMed for Ayurveda and depression systematic reviews and found only the mixed-disorder ashwagandha reviews above and reviews of other conditions. We did not find a review we could read on Ayurvedic massage, shirodhara or diet for stress or mood, so we report no effect for them; see Ayurveda and meditation for the mind-body side.
Why these results need care
- The products vary. Ashwagandha trials used different extracts, doses and durations, so one trial's result does not transfer to another product. NCCIH notes many ashwagandha studies were small and used a variety of preparations. [4]
- Results differ widely between trials. The anxiety meta-analyses report very high heterogeneity (I2 of 93.8 percent and 98 percent). [6] [7]
- Self-reported scales. Stress and anxiety are measured by questionnaires, which are sensitive to expectation.
- Short follow-up. NCCIH says ashwagandha may be safe in the short term (up to 3 months) and that long-term safety is unknown. [4]
Where to start for everyday stress
The NHS describes generalized anxiety disorder as something a GP can help with, usually trying talking therapies first. [12] For approaches with their own evidence pages, see breathing exercises for stress and mindfulness and meditation for stress.Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Does ashwagandha work for anxiety?
Meta-analyses of placebo-controlled trials report lower anxiety scores, but the certainty is low and trials differ a lot. NCCIH calls the anxiety evidence unclear. [6] [4]
Is Ayurveda a treatment for depression?
We found no good evidence for Ayurvedic treatment of depression on its own. Ashwagandha trials in mixed mental disorders did not confirm a depression effect with every statistical method. [8] Depression needs assessment by a clinician. [3]
Is ashwagandha safe to take with antidepressants or sleep medicines?
NCCIH says it might interact with sedatives and some other medicines. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining them. [4]
Can Ayurvedic herbs replace therapy or medicine?
No. The NHS advises talking therapies and medicine for moderate to severe depression, based on severity. [3]
Who should avoid ashwagandha?
NCCIH advises avoiding it in pregnancy and breastfeeding, before surgery, and with autoimmune or thyroid disorders, and says people with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer should avoid it. [4]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety and who should check first
- Liver injury. NCCIH says liver injury linked to ashwagandha supplements is rare but has been reported. [4] A case series of five people described jaundice, itching and nausea after 2 to 12 weeks, with liver tests normalizing within 1 to 5 months in four of them. [10] An Indian series reported 8 single-ingredient cases; among five people with existing chronic liver disease, three developed acute-on-chronic liver failure and died. [11] Stop and seek care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or severe itching. See liver safety and supplements.
- Medicines. NCCIH says ashwagandha might interact with medicines for diabetes and high blood pressure, immunosuppressants, sedatives, anticonvulsants and thyroid hormone medicines. [4] Ask your pharmacist.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. NCCIH says ashwagandha should be avoided in pregnancy and not used while breastfeeding. [4]
- Surgery, autoimmune and thyroid conditions. NCCIH does not recommend it for people about to have surgery or with autoimmune or thyroid disorders. [4]
- Side effects. Drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting can occur. [4]
- Antidepressants and mood medicines. Do not stop or change them because of anything you read here. Talk with your prescriber.
References
- NIMH, Depression Read 2026-10-22.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 988lifeline.org Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS, Depression in adults, overview Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Ashwagandha Read 2026-10-22.
- Arumugam et al., Effects of ashwagandha on stress and anxiety, systematic review and meta-analysis, Explore 2024 (PubMed) Read 2026-10-22.
- Akhgarjand et al., Ashwagandha supplementation for anxiety and stress, systematic review and meta-analysis, Phytother Res 2022 (PubMed) Read 2026-10-22.
- Fatima et al., Safety and efficacy of Withania somnifera for anxiety and insomnia, systematic review and meta-analysis, Hum Psychopharmacol 2024 (PubMed) Read 2026-10-22.
- Marchi et al., Withania somnifera and mental health symptoms in people with mental disorders, systematic review and meta-analysis, BJPsych Open 2025 (PubMed) Read 2026-10-22.
- Baune et al., Ayurvedic dravya-based herbal products for cognition, stress, sleep and psychiatric symptoms, systematic review and meta-analysis, J Integr Complement Med 2026 (PubMed) Read 2026-10-22.
- Bjornsson et al., Ashwagandha-induced liver injury, case series from Iceland and the US DILIN, Liver Int 2020 (PubMed) Read 2026-10-22.
- Philips et al., Ashwagandha-induced liver injury, case series from India and literature review, Hepatol Commun 2023 (PubMed) Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS, Generalised anxiety disorder in adults Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.