The Role of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Stress and Anxiety Management Among Medical Students: A Literature Review
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Affandi Ibrahim*
High levels of stress and anxiety resulting from academic demands, time pressures, and psychological burdens during the educational process experienced by medical students were highlighted by researchers in a literature review. One widely researched non-pharmacological approach to reducing stress and anxiety involves the use of adaptogenic herbs, including Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This literature review aims to examine scientific literature on the effectiveness and mechanisms of action of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in the management of stress and anxiety among medical students. This narrative review was conducted by searching indexed international journals on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using the keywords Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, stress, anxiety, and medical students, covering publications from 2011 to 2025; some sources meeting the inclusion criteria were retained for synthesis. The results indicate that Ashwagandha has a significant effect in reducing cortisol levels and balancing the autonomic nervous system. It improves sleep quality and calms the mind. Its mechanism of action involves modulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis through its influence on the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin. Therefore, Ashwagandha is highly effective for reducing and managing stress and anxiety in medical students; however, further clinical trials are required to confirm its long-term efficacy and safety.
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