Ashwagandha and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Article by Arnie Gitomer

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have uncontrollable, recurring thoughts and the urge to repeat behaviors. The obsessive thoughts cause anxiety, and the compulsive behaviors are an attempt to ease the anxiety.

Standard prescription drug treatment is selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but only about three in 10 respond with a significant decrease in symptoms. Ashwagandha, the Ayurvedic herb, is an adaptogen that helps the body adapt to stress and helps normalize body processes.
In this study, 30 people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) continued taking SSRIs with or without 120 mg of ashwagandha extract capsules per day. After six weeks, those taking ashwagandha saw a 20 percent improvement in symptom severity on a standard OCD rating scale, compared to a 5 percent improvement for placebo.

Doctors said ashwagandha is safe and may be an effective complementary treatment for OCD.

(Reference: Complementary Therapies in Medicine; 2016, Vol. 27, 25-9)

Willner Chemists carries many Ashwagandha supplements. The following products are in the Phyto-Tech™ Line:

Phyto-Tech™ Ashwagandha Root Liquid Extract contains the following: Fresh Organic Ashwaganda Root (Withania somnifera), Grain Alcohol, Deionized Water.
Product Code: 57008    Willner Phyto Tech    Ashwagandha Root 1:1.5, 1 oz Liq
Product Code: 58091    Willner Phyto Tech    Ashwagandha Root 1:1.5, 2 oz Liq

Phyto-Tech™ Ashwagandha Root Veggie Caps contain, in each capsule, Organic Ashwagandha Root, 380 mg and selectively imported Ashwagandha Root Extract (1.5% Vithanaloids), 95 mg. The capsule contains modified vegetable cellulose. Certified organic.
Product Code: 67463    Willner Phyto Tech™Ashwagandha Vcap, 90 VCap