What is ashwagandha for, and why is everyone suddenly talking about it?

Why is ashwagandha suddenly everywhere?

Because it is being promoted for many things at once. NCCIH, a US health agency, says ashwagandha supplements are now often promoted for stress and anxiety, sleep, and athletic performance. It has also been promoted for COVID-19, but NCCIH says there is not enough high-quality evidence for that.

When one ingredient is sold for too many purposes, that is a sign to slow down and read the evidence first.

What exactly is ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha, also called Indian ginseng, is an evergreen shrub with the scientific name Withania somnifera. It contains a group of compounds called withanolides. Supplements usually contain the root, the leaf, or root and leaf extracts.

Despite the nickname Indian ginseng, it is not Panax ginseng. For ginseng, read ginseng benefits.

What does research say about sleep and stress?

NCCIH says research shows some ashwagandha preparations may be effective for insomnia and stress. The evidence on anxiety is unclear.

For other uses such as asthma, athletic performance, cognitive function and diabetes, NCCIH says there is not enough evidence to tell whether it helps. Many studies had small sample sizes and used a variety of preparations, so one brand cannot be assumed to match what was studied.

If your main problem is sleep or stress, the basics still matter. See how to sleep better and how to reduce stress.

Who should be careful or avoid it?

According to NCCIH, ashwagandha may be safe when taken short term, up to 3 months. There is not enough information on long-term safety. Some people get drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhoea and vomiting. Although rare, there have been cases of liver injury linked to ashwagandha supplements.

• Avoid it during pregnancy and do not use it while breastfeeding.
• It is not recommended for people about to have surgery, or for people with autoimmune or thyroid disorders.
• It may interact with medicines for diabetes and high blood pressure, immunosuppressants, sedatives, anti-seizure medicines and thyroid hormone medicines.
• NCCIH also advises people with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer to avoid it.

Ashwagandha mixed with black seed: does it need KKM registration?

A combination product is still one product, and the pack in your hand needs to be checked on its own. Look for the MAL number and hologram on the pack, then check it on NPRA's product search. The steps are in how to check KKM registration.

For facts on black seed itself, read black seed benefits. This article does not refer to any product sold on this site and does not say that any of those products contain ashwagandha.

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