This article explored the use of Ashwagandha, a revered adaptogenic herb, examining its benefits in combating chronic stress. The specific area of focus was on neuroimmune modulatory effects of this herb. The authors compiled studies from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2015–2025, including both animal and human work, focusing specifically on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, cytokines, oxidative stress, and neuroprotection. The review found that Ashwagandha helps regulate the HPA axis by lowering cortisol levels and reducing overactivation of stress pathways. It modulates cytokines by decreasing pro-inflammatory markers like IL-6 and TNF-α. For oxidative stress, Ashwagandha boosts antioxidant defenses such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. In terms of neuroprotection, it increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and helps protect brain cells from stress-related damage. Overall, it was found that Ashwagandha can act as a natural therapeutic agent for managing chronic stress, as it targets several different pathways. 

Why I Chose This Article

I chose this article because in my life, balancing school, work, and everyday responsibilities has led to me dealing with an abundance of stress. I am interested in finding ways to help myself manage this chronic stress, though it is important to note that there is limited insight into the long-term effects of Ashwagandha. I appreciate that this course has already educated me on herbal plant supplements that I previously hadn’t learned about.

References

Iskandar, A. U., Rahayu, R. P., Ma’ruf, A., & Budhy, T. I. (2025). Ashwagandha and chronic stress: A review of its neuroimmune modulatory potential. Smart Medical Journal, 8(2), 75–85. https://doi-org.ezproxysim.flo.org/10.13057/smj.v8i2.105715