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Herb library · Updated 16 October 2026 · By Aashish Passi · 25 sources

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): what the research says

Ashwagandha is the dried root of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, a shrub of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India classes it as a Rasayana (rejuvenative) and Balya (strength-promoting) drug[1]. Its main chemical groups are steroidal lactones called withanolides, plus alkaloids[1, 2]. Small, short randomised trials, mostly from India, have studied root and root-plus-leaf extracts for stress, anxiety and sleep, with generally favourable results[2, 5, 6]. Short-term use is usually well tolerated, but there are rare reports of liver injury, possible thyroid effects, and regulatory restrictions in some European countries[2, 4, 20].

At a glance

Names and identity

Common nameAshwagandha (Indian ginseng, winter cherry)
SanskritAśvagandhā (Asvagandha)
HindiAsgandh
PunjabiAsgandh
Botanical nameWithania somnifera (L.) Dunal
FamilySolanaceae
Part usedRoot (dried mature roots, per API). The leaf is not an official part in the API, and since April 2026 the Ministry of Ayush prohibits it in Ayush products.
Sanskrit synonymsHayagandhā, Vājigandhā

Ayurveda

Ashwagandha in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia

Rasa (taste)Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
Guna (qualities)Laghu (light)
Virya (potency)Ushna (hot)
Vipaka (post-digestive effect)Madhura (sweet)
Action on doshasVatakaphapaha (pacifies Vata and Kapha). The API lists its traditional therapeutic uses as Shotha, Kshaya, Daurbalya, Vataroga and Klaibya.
Karma (actions)Rasayana, Vatakaphapaha, Balya, Vajikarana
Classical formulationsAshwagandharishta, Ashwagandhadi Leha, Balashwagandha Lakshadi Taila
Dose in the API3-6 g of the drug in powder form (API Part I, Vol I).

Profile as recorded in the official texts[1].

Chemistry

Key constituents

  • The API lists the constituents as alkaloids and withanolides, and the root assay is for total alkaloids.[1]
  • Withanolides are ergostane-type steroidal lactones. More than 40 have been reported across plant parts, including withaferin A, withanolides A-Y and withanone. More than 12 alkaloids have been reported (e.g. anaferine, anahygrine, pseudotropine, cuscohygrine, isopelletierine), along with withanolide glycosides such as sitoindosides IX and X.[22]
  • Root and leaf differ in chemical composition. The Ayush expert committee cites profiling in which the aerial parts showed more TLC bands for alkaloids, phytosterols and triterpenoids than the roots. The Ministry's 2026 order says studies report higher concentrations of reactive withanolides, particularly withaferin A, in leaves.[2, 22, 23]
  • ANSES notes that withanolide and alkaloid content varies widely, both qualitatively and quantitatively, between plant organs. This makes it hard to link specific compounds to reported effects. LiverTox notes that no single constituent has been shown to account for the activity or side effects, although withanolides are suspected.[20, 4]

Research

What human studies show

The bottom line

The most consistent human evidence is for short-term (6-12 week) reductions in self-reported stress and anxiety and modest improvements in sleep, especially in people with insomnia. This rests on several small, mostly Indian RCTs of different branded root or root-plus-leaf extracts, pooled at low certainty[2, 5, 6]. At least one well-run trial found no effect on perceived stress[10]. Evidence for strength, testosterone, fertility and thyroid outcomes is limited to single small trials or observational data, and long-term efficacy and safety are unknown[2, 3, 13].

meta-analysisEvidence: moderate

Stress and anxiety (pooled)

12 RCTs, 1,002 participants aged 25-48; ashwagandha extract vs placebo; searches to Dec 2021

Ashwagandha was associated with significantly lower anxiety (SMD -1.55, 95% CI -2.37 to -0.74) and stress (SMD -1.75, 95% CI -2.29 to -1.22) than placebo. Dose-response analysis suggested a favourable effect on stress at 300-600 mg/day.[5]

Limitations: Very high heterogeneity (I² 93.8% and 83.1%). The authors rated the certainty of evidence as low and called for higher-quality trials.

RCTEvidence: limited

Stress and anxiety

n=64 adults with chronic stress; 60 days; 300 mg high-concentration root extract twice daily vs placebo; single centre, India

All stress scales improved significantly more than with placebo, and serum cortisol fell more (P=0.0006). Adverse effects were mild and similar between groups.[7]

Limitations: Small single-centre trial of a branded extract; short duration.

RCTEvidence: limited

Stress and anxiety

n=60 stressed healthy adults; 60 days; 240 mg/day standardised extract (Shoden, a root-and-leaf extract per ODS) vs placebo

HAM-A anxiety scores fell significantly versus placebo (P=.040), while the DASS-21 change was not significant (P=.096). Morning cortisol and DHEA-S fell more than with placebo.[8, 2]

Limitations: Small sample. The extract includes leaf. The authors called for larger and more diverse trials.

RCTEvidence: limited

Stress and fatigue (null primary outcome)

Overweight/mildly obese adults aged 40-75 with high stress and fatigue; 12 weeks; 200 mg root extract (Witholytin) twice daily vs placebo (ODS reports n=120)

Perceived stress (the primary outcome) did not improve more than with placebo (p=0.867). Fatigue scores and heart-rate variability improved versus placebo, and free testosterone and LH rose in men.[10, 2]

Limitations: A negative result on the primary outcome; positive findings are secondary outcomes only. One author directs a contract research organisation funded by nutraceutical companies.

meta-analysisEvidence: moderate

Sleep (pooled)

5 RCTs, 400 adults; ashwagandha extract vs placebo

There was a small but significant effect on overall sleep (SMD -0.59, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.42). The effect was larger in adults with insomnia, at doses of at least 600 mg/day, and with at least 8 weeks of use. No serious side effects were reported.[6, 2]

Limitations: Moderate heterogeneity (I² 62%). All included trials were from India (per ODS). Data on serious and long-term adverse effects are limited.

RCTEvidence: limited

Sleep / insomnia

n=80 (40 healthy, 40 with insomnia); 8 weeks; root extract (ODS: KSM-66, 300 mg twice daily) vs placebo

Sleep parameters improved, more so in the insomnia group. Sleep-onset latency and sleep efficiency were the most improved measures.[9, 2]

Limitations: Small sample of a single branded extract. The authors say further trials are needed before the results can be generalised.

RCTEvidence: limited

Muscle strength (resistance training)

n=57 young men new to resistance training; 8 weeks; 300 mg root extract twice daily vs starch placebo

Bench-press and leg-extension strength, arm and chest muscle size, and serum testosterone rose more than with placebo, and body-fat percentage fell more.[11]

Limitations: A single small, short trial in men only.

RCTEvidence: limited

Male hormones and vitality

Crossover; 57 enrolled overweight men aged 40-70 with mild fatigue; 8 weeks each arm; Shoden extract (21 mg withanolide glycosides/day) vs placebo

DHEA-S rose 18% and testosterone 14.7% more than with placebo. Fatigue, vigour, sexual well-being, cortisol and estradiol did not differ significantly between groups.[12]

Limitations: Small sample with dropouts (43 completed). Hormone changes did not translate into symptom differences.

systematic reviewEvidence: preliminary

Male infertility (semen parameters)

4 clinical trials (5 publications): 4 observational and 1 RCT; meta-analysis of observational before/after data only

Sperm concentration, semen volume and motility improved versus pre-treatment, and hormone profiles improved. No adverse effects were reported.[13, 3]

Limitations: Only one RCT was available, so no RCT meta-analysis was possible. The authors say the data are too limited to be robust.

RCTEvidence: preliminary

Thyroid function (subclinical hypothyroidism)

n=50 adults with TSH 4.5-10 μIU/L; 8 weeks; 600 mg/day root extract vs starch placebo; single centre, Varanasi

TSH, T3 and T4 changed significantly compared with placebo (TSH fell, T3 and T4 rose), moving toward normal ranges.[14, 2]

Limitations: Pilot-sized, single-centre, short trial. The finding also implies a possible thyroid-stimulating effect that may matter as a safety issue (see safety).

Laboratory and animal studies

These studies explain possible mechanisms. They do not show the same effect in people.

animalEvidence: preliminary

Preclinical genotoxicity and acute toxicity

Aqueous root extract; Ames test up to 5 mg/plate, chromosome aberration test up to 2 mg/ml, mouse micronucleus test and acute oral toxicity up to 2000 mg/kg

No mutagenic or clastogenic effect and no mortality were observed at the doses tested.[25, 20]

Limitations: Animal and in-vitro data on one sponsored root extract (funded by an extract supplier). ANSES says in-vitro and in-vivo results for various preparations still raise genotoxicity questions, and that studies rarely specify extract composition.

Safety

Safety, interactions and regulation

  • Trials lasting up to about 3 months generally report good tolerability. Common mild effects include stomach upset, loose stools, nausea and drowsiness. Long-term safety is not established.[2, 3]
  • Liver: LiverTox rates ashwagandha as likelihood score B, a 'likely cause of clinically apparent liver injury', which it notes is rare. Injury typically appears 2-12 weeks after starting, usually with a cholestatic or mixed pattern, jaundice and pruritus. It usually resolves 1-4 months after stopping. Fatal cases have occurred, mainly in people with pre-existing liver disease or cirrhosis, and LiverTox advises avoiding use in cirrhosis or advanced chronic liver disease. It also advises against rechallenge.[4]
  • Liver case series: In Iceland and the US DILIN, 5 cases (ages 21-62) developed jaundice after 2-12 weeks. Injury was cholestatic or mixed, none progressed to liver failure, and chemical analysis confirmed ashwagandha without other toxic compounds. In India, of 23 patients with ashwagandha-associated liver injury (2019-2022), 8 single-ingredient cases were reported in detail. 5 of the 8 had chronic liver disease, and 3 of those developed acute-on-chronic liver failure and died. Product analysis found no adulteration.[16, 17]
  • Thyroid: In a bipolar-disorder trial, the 3 ashwagandha-treated patients with abnormal thyroid tests all had increased T4 (7-24%). A subclinical-hypothyroidism RCT found that 600 mg/day root extract lowered TSH and raised T3/T4 versus placebo. ODS cites three case reports of thyrotoxicosis in women taking ashwagandha, which resolved on stopping. Possible interaction with thyroid hormone medication is flagged.[15, 14, 2]
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: NCCIH advises avoiding ashwagandha in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. ANSES advises pregnant and breastfeeding women and under-18s not to take ashwagandha supplements. The abortifacient concern rests largely on traditional-use reports. ODS notes that the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia says its monograph was misrepresented and that there is no evidence the root causes abortion. The Ayush expert committee cites rat studies showing no maternal or foetal toxicity at up to 2000 mg/kg/day of root extract.[3, 20, 2, 22]
  • Hormones: Trials report rises in testosterone and DHEA-S in men. NCCIH says people with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer should avoid ashwagandha.[12, 10, 3]
  • Other cautions: NCCIH says ashwagandha is not recommended before surgery or for people with autoimmune or thyroid disorders. It also notes possible interactions with diabetes, blood-pressure, immunosuppressant, sedative, anticonvulsant and thyroid medicines. ANSES advises against use when driving or operating machinery, or together with CNS-depressant drugs, because trials report drowsiness.[3, 20]
  • Denmark: The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration states that products containing ashwagandha are illegal to sell as food (including supplements) in Denmark. It cites a DTU risk assessment that included the root and reported negative effects on sex hormones and reproduction, plus possible effects on metabolism and the immune and central nervous systems. The ban took effect in April 2023 and followed the 2020 DTU assessment, which concluded that no safe intake level could be set.[18, 19, 2]
  • France and other EU states (ANSES opinion, 19 April 2024): ANSES could not set a toxicological reference value. It recommends that pregnant women; people with thyroid, liver or heart disease or hyperandrogenism; and people on sedative or CNS-depressant treatment avoid ashwagandha supplements. By precaution, it extends this to breastfeeding women and under-18s. ANSES also reports that Germany's BfR recommended placing the root on List C of Annex III of Regulation (EC) 1925/2006. It adds that the Dutch RIVM (2024) advised the whole population, especially pregnant women, not to consume Withania products, and that Poland sets a maximum dose for root in supplements.[20]
  • India's response: In 2024 the Ministry of Ayush published a safety dossier and an expert committee report chaired by hepatologist Prof. S.K. Sarin. The committee concluded that the studies and case reports behind the DTU concerns were inconclusive and that evidence supports the safety of ashwagandha root. It criticised the DTU report for lacking scientific scrutiny and stressed correct species identification and quality control. It also states that no adverse drug reactions linked to ashwagandha had been reported under India's ASU&H pharmacovigilance programme.[21, 22]
  • Leaf vs root in India: A Ministry of Ayush advisory dated 6 Oct 2021 (L.11011/9/2021-DCC) advised manufacturers not to use ashwagandha leaves in Ayush products. On 15 April 2026 the Ministry directed that only roots be used and that leaves are 'strictly prohibited' in Ayush drugs and products. The order cites safety concerns about higher reactive withanolides, particularly withaferin A, in leaves, and requires plant parts to be stated on the label (Rule 161, Drugs Rules 1945). FSSAI issued a parallel advisory dated 16 April 2026 on food and supplement products. On 12 May 2026 the Karnataka High Court stayed both the FSSAI advisory and the Ayush directive, but only for the eight companies in the two petitions (led by Sami-Sabinsa Group and Kerry Inc), until the next hearing, listed for 8 June 2026. We found no later ruling as of October 2026; for everyone else the restriction stands.[23, 24]
  • Heavy metals: No ashwagandha-specific heavy-metal or contaminant data were reviewed for this monograph (gap).

Quality

Identity, standards and adulteration

  • API identity: dried mature roots of Withania somnifera Dunal, collected in winter, washed and cut into short pieces. Roots are straight and unbranched, buff to grey-yellow with longitudinal wrinkles. The fracture is short and uneven, the odour characteristic, and the taste bitter and acrid.[1]
  • API limits: foreign matter not more than 2%; total ash not more than 7%; acid-insoluble ash not more than 1%; alcohol (25%)-soluble extractive not less than 15%. The copy consulted prints 'Nil' for water-soluble extractive, so check this against the official PCIM&H edition. Assay: not less than 0.2% total alkaloids (gravimetric, Dragendorff precipitation).[1]
  • Leaf substitution: ANSES reports published cases where supplements labelled as root or root extract were adulterated with ashwagandha leaves (rich in alkaloids) or other plants. It calls for systematic checks of the plant parts used. Commercial extracts studied in trials include root-only extracts (e.g. KSM-66) and root-plus-leaf extracts (e.g. Sensoril, Shoden).[20, 2]
  • Standardisation: Extracts are commonly standardised to withanolide content (e.g. ≥5% or 2.5% withanolides, or withanolide glycosides). Differences in extraction and standardisation make it hard to compare studies or set doses. Several pharmacopoeias set standards for the root and root extracts.[2, 20]
  • The Ayush expert committee calls for stringent quality control and accurate species identification. The 2026 Ayush order requires the plant part to be stated on the label.[21, 23]

Manufacturing

How Ashwagandha is made into medicines

In Ayurvedic practice in India, ashwagandha root is used as a dried powder (churna; the API dose is 3-6 g of powder) and in classical compound formulations listed in the API: Ashwagandharishta (a fermented liquid, arishta), Ashwagandhadi Leha (an avaleha or confection) and Balashwagandha Lakshadi Taila (a medicated oil)[1]. It is also widely sold as capsules and tablets of standardised root extracts. LiverTox describes typical capsule or tablet strengths of 150-600 mg of extract[4], and trials have used aqueous or hydroalcoholic root extracts[2]. The API monograph specifies no shodhana (purification) step for the root. It describes preparation as washing the winter-collected roots and cutting them into short pieces before drying[1]. Under the Ministry of Ayush order of 15 April 2026, only the root (crude, extract or any other form) may be used in Ayush products, and the plant part must be stated on the label[23].

Prabhat makes churnas, tablets, capsules, kwaths, syrups and oils under AYUSH GMP for brands across India. See churna, tablet and capsule manufacturing, or white label products.

FAQ

Common questions about Ashwagandha

Why did Denmark ban ashwagandha?

Denmark's food authority made ashwagandha products illegal to sell as food or supplements in 2023. It relied on a 2020 DTU risk assessment that reported possible effects on sex hormones, reproduction, thyroid and the nervous system, and concluded that no safe intake level could be set[18, 19]. India's Ministry of Ayush later published an expert review calling those concerns inconclusive for the root[21].

Is ashwagandha bad for your liver?

Liver injury linked to ashwagandha is considered rare. LiverTox nonetheless rates it a 'likely' cause of clinically apparent liver injury, usually appearing 2-12 weeks after starting, with jaundice and itching, and resolving 1-4 months after stopping[4]. Severe and fatal cases have been reported mainly in people with existing liver disease, so LiverTox advises people with cirrhosis or advanced liver disease to avoid it[4, 17].

Does ashwagandha affect the thyroid?

Small studies found that ashwagandha root extract raised T3/T4 and lowered TSH, and there are a few case reports of thyrotoxicosis that resolved after stopping[14, 15, 2]. For this reason NCCIH says it is not recommended for people with thyroid disorders, and ODS flags a possible interaction with thyroid medication[3, 2].

Is ashwagandha leaf banned in India?

For Ayush (Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani) products, yes. A Ministry of Ayush order dated 15 April 2026 directs manufacturers to use only the root and states that leaf use in any form is strictly prohibited[23]. FSSAI issued a parallel advisory for food and supplement products. In May 2026 the Karnataka High Court stayed the advisory and the Ayush directive, but only for the eight companies that challenged them, pending further hearing; for all other manufacturers the restriction stands[24].

Does ashwagandha help you sleep?

A 2021 meta-analysis of five randomised trials (400 adults) found a small but significant improvement in sleep with ashwagandha extract compared with placebo. The effect was larger in people with insomnia, at doses of at least 600 mg/day, and after at least 8 weeks[6]. The trials were small and short, and long-term safety data are limited[6, 2].

Can you take ashwagandha during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

US NCCIH says ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and not used while breastfeeding. France's ANSES advises pregnant and breastfeeding women against ashwagandha supplements[3, 20]. The concern stems largely from traditional reports of abortifacient use, which the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia disputes for the root, but human safety data in pregnancy are lacking[2].

References

Sources

  1. Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Volume I. Monograph No. 10: Asvagandha (Root), Withania somnifera Dunal. Source.
  2. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated 2 May 2025. Source.
  3. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Ashwagandha: Usefulness and Safety. Last updated March 2023. Source.
  4. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Ashwagandha. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Updated 3 Dec 2024. Source.
  5. Akhgarjand C, Asoudeh F, Bagheri A, Kalantar Z, Vahabi Z, Shab-Bidar S, Rezvani H, Djafarian K. Does Ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2022;36(11):4115-4124. PMID: 36017529. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7598.
  6. Cheah KL, Norhayati MN, Husniati Yaacob L, Abdul Rahman R. Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2021;16(9):e0257843. PMID: 34559859. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257843.
  7. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(3):255-62. PMID: 23439798. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.106022.
  8. Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186. PMID: 31517876. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000017186.
  9. Langade D, Thakare V, Kanchi S, Kelgane S. Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;264:113276. PMID: 32818573. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113276.
  10. Smith SJ, Lopresti AL, Fairchild TJ. Exploring the efficacy and safety of a novel standardized ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract (Witholytin®) in adults experiencing high stress and fatigue in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Psychopharmacol. 2023;37(11):1091-1104. PMID: 37740662. doi: 10.1177/02698811231200023.
  11. Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, Sinha SR, Bhattacharyya S. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:43. PMID: 26609282. doi: 10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9.
  12. Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Smith SJ. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. Am J Mens Health. 2019;13(2):1557988319835985. PMID: 30854916. doi: 10.1177/1557988319835985.
  13. Durg S, Shivaram SB, Bavage S. Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine. 2018;50:247-256. PMID: 30466985. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.11.011.
  14. Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. PMID: 28829155. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0183.
  15. Gannon JM, Forrest PE, Roy Chengappa KN. Subtle changes in thyroid indices during a placebo-controlled study of an extract of Withania somnifera in persons with bipolar disorder. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014;5(4):241-5. PMID: 25624699. doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.146566.
  16. Björnsson HK, Björnsson ES, Avula B, Khan IA, Jonasson JG, Ghabril M, Hayashi PH, Navarro V. Ashwagandha-induced liver injury: A case series from Iceland and the US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network. Liver Int. 2020;40(4):825-829. PMID: 31991029. doi: 10.1111/liv.14393.
  17. Philips CA, Valsan A, Theruvath AH, Ravindran R, Oommen TT, Rajesh S, Bishnu S, Augustine P; Liver Research Club India. Ashwagandha-induced liver injury-A case series from India and literature review. Hepatol Commun. 2023;7(10):e0270. PMID: 37756041. doi: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000270.
  18. Fødevarestyrelsen (Danish Veterinary and Food Administration). Ashwagandha i kosttilskud og drikkevarer [Ashwagandha in food supplements and beverages]. Source.
  19. McKeown M. Why did Denmark ban Ashwagandha? McGill University Office for Science and Society. 2 Jun 2023. Source.
  20. ANSES. Avis relatif aux risques liés à l'utilisation des préparations de Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal dans les compléments alimentaires. Saisine n° 2021-SA-0077. Maisons-Alfort, 19 April 2024. Source.
  21. Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. Press Statement: Expert Review Confirms Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal). 2024. Source.
  22. Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Report of the Expert Committee constituted by Ministry of Ayush. Published by CCRAS, New Delhi; 2024 (revised). Source.
  23. Ministry of Ayush (Drug Policy Section), Government of India. Letter T-13020/4/2022-DCC-Part(2), 15 April 2026: Mandatory use of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) roots in Ayush products. Annexed to FSSAI advisory on non-use of ashwagandha leaves in food products. Source.
  24. Plumber M. Karnataka High Court stays FSSAI advisory banning use of Ashwagandha leaves in health supplements. The Indian Express. 14 May 2026. Source.
  25. Kalaivani P, Siva R, Gayathri V, Langade D. Mutagenicity and safety evaluation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root aqueous extract in different models. Toxicol Rep. 2024;12:41-47. PMID: 38222494. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.12.005.

How this page was written. Every statement links to a source we opened. PubMed IDs were checked against the NCBI database. Human studies are kept apart from laboratory and animal work, and null results are included. Read our method.

Author: Aashish Passi, Managing Director, Prabhat Ayurvedic Pharmacy. Last updated: 16 October 2026. Spotted an error? Email info@prabhatayurvedicpharmacy.in.

This page is educational and summarises published research. It is not medical advice and is not a claim for any product. Talk to a qualified doctor before using any herbal medicine, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medicines or have a medical condition.

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