Clay, Soap & Other

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

B Limited clinical evidence

Ashwagandha root extracts have limited evidence for stress and sleep. Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding and liver disease; drug interactions are possible.

Sleep, Stress & MoodMen’s Health
Ashwagandha – Dried root pieces and powdered extract

Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim

Pregnancy⚠ Avoid
Breastfeeding⚠ Avoid
Children⚠ Avoid
Drug interactionsInteraction reported
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On this page

At a glance

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant whose root has a history of use in Ayurveda. Some short-term trials of specific standardized extracts suggest modest changes in perceived stress and sleep. Reports of liver injury and possible thyroid and medication interactions call for caution.

Parts used: roots
Key constituents: Withanolides (steroidal lactones), Alkaloids

Updated: October 24, 2026

Sources and research limitations appear below. The existence of a source does not mean every use has been clinically verified.

What is it used for?

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    Some randomized trials found lower perceived stress scores after short-term use of specific standardized ashwagandha extracts. Meta-analyses disagree on the size and consistency of this effect, and the findings do not apply to every product. [3][6][7]

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    A 2021 meta-analysis of five randomized trials found a small but statistically significant improvement in adult sleep outcomes with certain ashwagandha extracts; long-term evidence is lacking. [5][3]

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    Small human studies suggest that several months of ashwagandha supplementation may influence testosterone levels and measures of sperm quality in some men. Clinical relevance and generalizability remain unclear. [2]

How is it used?

Food

Clinical studies administered particular root extracts orally as capsules or tablets. Extracts vary in standardization, so study doses are not interchangeable across products and no universally safe daily dose has been established.

[3][4]

Tea

Dried ashwagandha root is also sold for herbal tea, but no clinically validated effective dose, standard brewing method, or safe duration has been established. Findings for extracts cannot automatically be applied to root tea.

[4][3]

Safety & interactions

  • Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are insufficient data on passage into breast milk or safety for nursing infants.
  • Children should avoid ashwagandha supplements because safety data are insufficient.
  • Avoid if you have current or previous liver disease. Rare but sometimes serious liver injury has been reported.
  • Stop use and seek medical assessment if jaundice, dark urine, pronounced fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or severe nausea and vomiting occur.
  • Not recommended for people with thyroid or autoimmune disorders, those awaiting surgery, or people with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
  • People taking thyroid hormones, sedatives, anti-seizure medicines, diabetes or blood-pressure medicines, or immunosuppressants should not use it without professional advice.
  • Most short-term studies lasted roughly 6–12 weeks; safety over many months or years is unknown. Plant parts and extraction methods differ by product.
[2][4][8][9]

Drug interactions

Drug interactions
Medicine / substanceEffectSeverity
Thyroid hormones and thyroid medicinesMay alter thyroid hormone levels; avoid unsupervised use, particularly in thyroid disease or during thyroid hormone therapy. [3][2]Moderate
Sedatives and anti-seizure medicinesMay increase drowsiness or have additive effects on the central nervous system. Obtain professional advice before combining them. [2]Moderate
Glucose-lowering medicinesMay have additional effects on blood glucose. Medical advice and glucose monitoring may be needed. [2][4]Moderate
Blood-pressure medicinesMay alter the effects of blood-pressure-lowering medicines; caution and monitoring are advisable. [2][4]Moderate
ImmunosuppressantsPotential effects on immune activity could make concurrent use unsuitable; consult the prescribing clinician. [2][4]Moderate

Side effects

  • Nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, or vomiting
  • Drowsiness, headache, and dizziness
  • Rash or other hypersensitivity symptoms
  • Rare but sometimes severe liver injury, including reported liver failure and transplantation
  • Changes in thyroid hormone levels and rare reports of thyrotoxicosis

⚕ When to see a doctor

  • If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
  • If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
  • If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs

Did you know?

The Sanskrit name ashwagandha is linked to the words for “horse” and “smell,” a reference to the root’s traditional description. Despite the name “Indian ginseng,” it is not true ginseng. [3][1]

Frequently asked questions

Does ashwagandha really reduce stress?

Some short-term trials reported lower stress scores, but a 2025 meta-analysis found no statistically significant improvement in perceived stress. Evidence is limited and results vary by extract.

Can ashwagandha improve sleep?

Studies of certain root and root-leaf extracts have reported small improvements in sleep quality and time to fall asleep. The same effect has not been established for every product.

How many milligrams of ashwagandha should I take?

Trials used different preparations and doses; some root extract studies investigated 300–600 mg per day. That is study information, not a personal dosage recommendation, and no universally safe dose is established.

Can ashwagandha damage the liver?

Yes. Rare liver injury, including severe cases, has been reported. Avoid it if you have liver disease; stop use and seek medical advice if jaundice or dark urine occurs.

Is ashwagandha safe with thyroid medication?

It may affect thyroid hormones and interact with thyroid medicines. People with thyroid disease should not use it without medical assessment.

Can ashwagandha be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

No. Health authorities advise avoiding it in both periods, and breastfeeding-specific safety data are lacking.

Does ashwagandha increase testosterone?

A few small trials found changes in testosterone and sperm quality measures, but evidence is limited and unsupervised use for hormonal effects is not advised.

Sources

Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval.

  1. Withania somnifera (L.) DunalRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Plants of the World Online · 2026 · Reference bookSource accessed:
  2. Ashwagandha: Usefulness and SafetyNIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health · 2023 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
  3. Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? — Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsNIH Office of Dietary Supplements · 2025 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
  4. Ashwagandha: food supplements with potential health risks (Communication 39/2024)German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) · 2024 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
  5. Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysisPLOS ONE · 2021 · Systematic reviewSource accessed:
  6. Effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on mental health in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsComplementary Therapies in Medicine · 2026 · Systematic reviewSource accessed:
  7. Dual impact of Ashwagandha: Significant cortisol reduction but no effects on perceived stress - A systematic review and meta-analysisNutrition and Health · 2025 · Systematic reviewSource accessed:
  8. Withania — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®)NIH National Library of Medicine / NCBI Bookshelf · 2024 · Official agency informationSource accessed:
  9. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and very rare risk of liver injuryAustralian Therapeutic Goods Administration · 2026 · Official agency informationSource accessed:

Cite This Page

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ashwagandha/

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