Its been used for thousands of years, and science is starting to support its stress-relieving benefits.

Key Takeaways:

Its no secret that many of us are stressed.

Turns out,ashwagandhais an ancient herb that may help reduce stress.

A woman sitting on a bed resting her chin on her hands, colorful abstract shapes in the background

Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.

A few studies have demonstrated this benefit of ashwagandha.

This can help lower stress and anxiety and improve sleep.

Typical doses used in studies range from 300 to 600 milligrams per day.

an illustration of a person in pajamas sleeping soundly on a cloud with eggs in the background

Its best to start with a low dose and talk to your doctor first, she says.

There is also a lot of inconsistency in the dosage, quality and supplement formulations used in studies.

At the end of the day, While ashwagandha may help reduce stress, its not a magic cure.

American Heart Association.Understanding How Stress Affects the Body.

National Institutes of Health.Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep?

2023;102(41):e35521.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Phytother Res.

2021;16(9):e0257843.

2022;25(12):1095-1101. doi:10.1089/jmf.2022.0042

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Ashwagandha.