Ashwagandha dangerous? - Ayurvedic super herb
Ashwagandha has been one of Ayurveda's most popular herbs for centuries. A true classic, full of promises of balance, energy, and loving support during stressful times.
But lately, a different perspective has also been heard. Newspaper headlines, scientific articles, and a potential ban in Europe are raising questions. Is Ashwagandha Dangerous or Is Ashwagandha Safe? And what are we to believe now?
In this blog post, we'll take you step by step. What's going on? How valid are the concerns? And—perhaps most importantly—is it still safe to use ashwagandha?
Liver Damage Reports: Is Ashwagandha Dangerous?
Since 2023, several cases of potential liver damage after using ashwagandha supplements have been described in the medical literature. These cases have caused concern—among both consumers and policymakers. The European Commission is even considering a ban on ashwagandha in dietary supplements (6).
That sounds dramatic – but as with everything in herbal medicine, it requires nuance. What do the studies really say? And to what extent is ashwagandha dangerous according to these studies?
Research from India: Caution advised, but context is everything
Most cases linking Ashwagandha to liver damage come from India. In a study by Philips et al. 2023 (1) Eight patients with liver damage who had used Ashwagandha were studied. One of these patients died, and another received a liver transplant. That is certainly worrying.
However, it remains a small number, and there are many uncertainties. Was it actually ashwagandha that caused the damage? Or were there other factors, such as contaminated supplements, other herbs, medications, alcohol use, or underlying illnesses?
Like Philips et al. also emphasize in their review 2020 (2): Many cases of herb-related liver damage come from unregulated products, which are often contaminated with heavy metals, bacteria, or even medications (3). This makes it difficult to place the blame squarely on the herb itself and shows that the question of whether Ashwagandha is safe remains to be answered conclusively.
And in other countries? Japan, the US, Europe?
A small number of cases of liver damage have also been reported outside India, such as in Japan and the United States. In these cases, as in India, there is speculation about a link with ashwagandha, but the causality is often unclear. Many patients used multiple supplements simultaneously, increasing the risk of interactions.
Important: According to the renowned review of Andrade et al. 2019 (4) Herbal-induced liver damage is relatively rare and difficult to prove because symptoms often appear late and there are many individual differences in sensitivity.
Just like with medications, liver reactions to herbs can also be idiosyncratic—that is, unpredictable and individual. A small percentage of users may experience a hypersensitivity reaction, while the vast majority experience no symptoms. This complicates the question of whether ashwagandha is dangerous versus safe.
What's the current status? Is ashwagandha banned?
No, at this time Ashwagandha is still not prohibited in the Netherlands or the EU. The European Commission has, however, proposed a ban based on the aforementioned cases. According to the trade association NPN, this proposal is premature and based on limited scientific evidence (6).
So no final decision has been made yet, and several parties are calling for additional research before a ban is imposed.The question of whether Ashwagandha is safe remains, so for now it is mainly a matter of careful use.
Can you use Ashwagandha safely?
Yes, you can use ashwagandha safely—as long as you use it wisely. Here are a few practical guidelines:
- Choose a reputable brand. Make sure the supplement has been tested for purity and comes from verified sources.
- Use only the root. Traditionally, only the root of the ashwagandha plant is used. The leaves contain other substances (such as withaferin A) that may be more harmful.
- Be extra careful if you have liver problems. If you have a history of liver disease or are taking medications that strain the liver, consult a doctor or herbalist.
- Pay attention to dosage and duration. Do not take more than recommended and take a break from prolonged use.
By following these guidelines, you reduce the chance of Ashwagandha becoming dangerous through contamination or misuse.
What does the age-old tradition say?
Ashwagandha – also known as Withania somnifera – has deep roots in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian health system that has existed for thousands of years. Within this system, Ashwagandha is considered a Rasayana – a class of plants traditionally used to support general well-being. Wellbeing and recovery after exhaustion or illness.
The root of the plant is the part considered most valuable in Ayurvedic texts. It was prescribed by trained Vaidya's (Ayurvedic physicians), who tailored its application to a person's unique constitution (dosha). The herb was rarely used on its own: it formed part of a holistic approach in which diet, lifestyle, and other herbs also played a role.
The plant's leaves were rarely used in classical Ayurveda, partly due to the stronger effects of certain ingredients, such as withaferin A. In the modern supplement world, the leaves are sometimes added to increase the concentration of active ingredients – a development that deviates from traditional use.
In other words, ashwagandha isn't a recently discovered super herb, but a proven remedy within a broader system of knowledge and care. This historical context teaches us that potency doesn't necessarily mean risk-free, and that thoughtful application is essential when determining whether ashwagandha is safe.
Finally, remain critical, but also calm
Is ashwagandha a dangerous herb? Not necessarily. But it's no candy either. Like any powerful drug, it requires responsible use.
Don't be guided by fear, but also not by blind faith. Choose quality, be aware of your own health situation, and when in doubt, always consult a professional.
Source references:
- Philips CA, Valsan A, Theruvath AH, et al. (2023). *Hepatol Commun.* 7(10): e0270.
- Philips CA, Ahamed R, Rajesh S, et al. (2020). *World J Hepatol.* 12(9): 574–595.
- Philips CA, Augustine P, Rajesh S, et al. (2019). *J Clin Exp Hepatol.* 9(2): 268–272.
- Andrade RJ, Chalasani N, Björnsson ES et al. (2019). *Nat Rev Dis Primers.* 5(1): 58.
- [Herbal Reality – Threats to Ashwagandha Safety](https://www.herbalreality.com/herbalism/safety/threats-to-ashwagandha-safety-how-do-we-respond-to-new-reports-of-liver-damage/)
- [NPN – Proposal to ban Ashwagandha based on limited evidence] (https://www.npninfo.nl/nieuws-en-persberichten/nieuwsbericht/voorstel-verbod-ashwagandha-gebaseerd-op-beperkt-wetenschappelijk-bewijs/)
