A new systematic review of 9 studies—8 double-blind and 1 controlled—found that the herb ashwagandha successfully reduces cortisol levels in stressed people.
In the 7 studies that measured plasma cortisol, as opposed to salivary cortisol, the decrease ranged from 11%-32.63%.
This study suggests that ashwagandha has a stress reducing effect by lowering cortisol.
Nutrients. 2023,15(24),5015