A study was recently published that examined human trials with the herb Withania somnifera, better known as ashwagandha, in the treatment of anxiety ⁽¹⁾. A systematic review of the research was done. The results showed that five human trials met the inclusion criteria. Three studies compared several dosage levels of ashwagandha extract with placebos using versions of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, with two demonstrating significant benefit of ashwagandha versus placebo, and the third demonstrating beneficial effects that approached but did not achieve significance. A fourth study compared naturopathic care with ashwagandha versus psychotherapy by using Beck Anxiety Inventory scores as an outcome (scores decreased by 56.5% in the ashwagandha group and decreased 30.5% for psychotherapy. A fifth study measured changes in Perceived Stress Scale scores in ashwagandha group versus placebo (there was a 44.0% reduction in scores in the ashwagandha group and a 5.5% reduction in the placebo group). The authors conclude that all five studies resulted in greater score improvements (significantly in most cases) than placebo in outcomes on anxiety or stress scales.