HerbsAshwagandha

Ashwagandha root extract improves sleep quality in children aged 6-12 years

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 73 children aged 6-12 years completed an 8-week supplementation with Ashwagandha root extract (ARE) gummies (150 mg twice daily) or placebo. Parent-reported sleep quality, measured by the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), significantly improved in the ARE group (p = 0.035).

Last updated: Jul 7, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score42/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. A clinical assessment of the therapeutic effects of Ashwagandha root extract on cognitive performance, sleep, and fatigue in children aged 6-12 years.

observational

Saxena A, Lopresti A, Sharif M, Elon N, Suri R, Langade DK · Frontiers in nutrition (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 8 weeks
Intervention: Standardized Ashwagandha root extract (ARE) gummies, 150 mg twice daily for 8 weeks
Outcome: Cognitive performance (attention, memory, executive function via COMPASS), sleep quality (SDSC), fatigue, and safety
Effect Size: d=0.59 to 0.75 for cognitive outcomes; sleep improvement p=0.035 (effect size not reported)
Population: Healthy children aged 6-12 years with parent-reported concerns related to attention, concentration, or memory

Result:

PubMed: 41889719DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1742138

Mechanism Graph

Ashwagandha root extract acts as an adaptogen
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Reduces stress and cortisol levels
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Improves sleep regulation
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Result: Enhanced sleep quality in children

Limitations

  • ⚠Only parent-reported sleep quality was measured, not objective sleep metrics like polysomnography
  • ⚠The study population had parent-reported cognitive concerns, limiting generalizability to all children

Frequently Asked Questions

What dose of Ashwagandha was used for children in this study?▼

Children received 150 mg of Ashwagandha root extract twice daily (300 mg total daily) in gummy form for 8 weeks.

How was sleep quality measured in this trial?▼

Sleep quality was assessed using the parent-reported Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), which showed significant improvement in the Ashwagandha group compared to placebo.

Was Ashwagandha safe for children in this study?▼

Yes, no significant adverse events were reported, suggesting that Ashwagandha root extract was well tolerated in children aged 6-12 years over 8 weeks.

Did Ashwagandha improve cognitive performance in children?▼

Yes, the study also found significant improvements in several cognitive measures, including speed of information processing, delayed word recall, Stroop task accuracy, and choice reaction time accuracy.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Saxena A, Lopresti A, Sharif M, Elon N, Suri R, Langade DK. "A clinical assessment of the therapeutic effects of Ashwagandha root extract on cognitive performance, sleep, and fatigue in children aged 6-12 years.." Frontiers in nutrition, 2026. PMID: 41889719 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1742138
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.