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Ashwagandha and memory: grade C

Limited evidence. Direction: Benefit.

C LimitedShort-term only

Educational guidance, not medical advice

Why this grade

Rubric condition met: Results partly from clinical or older populations being extrapolated to healthy adults

A 2026 meta-analysis reported improved memory across RCTs whose populations mixed healthy, active and special groups, with no healthy-adult estimate in the abstract. A systematic review of 5 studies drew mainly on older adults with mild cognitive impairment and psychiatric patients. NCCIH says evidence is not enough to judge cognitive function.

How we grade evidence

Studies this grade rests on

EffectMixedNo effectSize shows participants (n)202020252030Meta-analysisSystematic reviewZhu 2026, 2026: meta-analysis, n = 1,249, result not recordedNg 2020, 2020: systematic review, n not recorded, result not recorded
each study this grade rests on, by publication year and design. Solid: effect versus the comparator; half-filled: mixed; hollow: no effect; dashed: result not recorded yet. Larger marks had more participants.
Show the numbers
StudyYearDesignParticipantsResult
Ng 20202020systematic reviewnot recordedresult not recorded
Zhu 20262026meta-analysis1249result not recorded

A systematic review of the clinical use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction.

Ng QX, Loke W, Foo NX. A systematic review of the clinical use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction Phytother Res, 2020. PMID 31742775

Result not recorded
Design
Systematic review of 5 clinical studies
Population
Mixed: older adults with mild cognitive impairment and adults with psychiatric diagnoses (clinical populations)
Funding
not stated

Effects of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) on cognitive and physical function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zhu X, Zeng Q, Lei Y. Effects of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) on cognitive and physical function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis Front Pharmacol, 2026. PMID 42199854

Result not recorded
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 RCTs
Sample
n = 1,249
Population
Adults (mixed healthy, physically active and special populations)
Funding
not stated

Search and history

Search (): ashwagandha[ti] AND (cognitive[tiab] OR cognition[tiab] OR memory[tiab]) AND (meta-analysis[pt] OR systematic review[pt])

  • Graded C (proposed): Proposed in the monograph draft
  • C to C (approved): Editor sign-off November 13, 2026: grade matches the editor-approved final page