Ashwagandha dangerous? – the Ayurvedic super herb under the microscope

Ashwagandha has been one of the most popular herbs in Ayurveda for centuries. A true classic, full of promises of balance, energy, and loving support during stressful times.

But lately, a different voice has also been heard. Newspaper headlines, scientific articles, and a possible ban in Europe are raising questions. Is Ashwagandha dangerous or is Ashwagandha safe? And what are we supposed to believe now?

In this blog, we take you through it step by step. What is going on? How reliable are the concerns? And – perhaps most importantly – can you still safely use Ashwagandha?

Reports of liver damage: Is Ashwagandha dangerous?

Since 2023, a number of cases of possible liver damage following the use of 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 food supplements (6).

That sounds intense – but as with everything in herbal medicine, this requires nuance. After all, what do the studies really say? And to what extent is Ashwagandha dangerous according to these studies?

Research from India: caution is advised, but context is everything

Most cases linking Ashwagandha to liver damage come from India. In a study of Philips et al. 2023 (1) Eight patients with liver damage who had used Ashwagandha were examined. Of these patients, one 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, medication, alcohol use, or underlying diseases?

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 medicines (3). This makes it difficult to place the blame one-to-one on the herb itself and shows that the question of whether Ashwagandha is safe cannot yet be answered unequivocally.

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, which increases the likelihood of interactions.

Important: according to the renowned review of Andrade et al. 2019 (4) Liver damage from herbs is relatively rare and difficult to prove, because symptoms often appear late and there are many individual differences in sensitivity.

Just as with medicines, liver reactions to herbs can be idiosyncratic—in other words, unpredictable and person-specific. A small proportion of users may experience a hypersensitivity reaction, while the vast majority experience no symptoms. This makes the picture surrounding 'Ashwagandha dangerous' versus 'Ashwagandha safe' complex.

What is the current status? Is Ashwagandha banned?

No, at this moment Ashwagandha is still not forbidden in the Netherlands or the EU. However, the European Commission has made a proposal for a ban, based on the cases mentioned. According to trade association NPN, this proposal is premature and based on limited scientific evidence (6).

Therefore, no final decision has been made yet, and various parties are advocating for additional research before a ban is implemented.The question of whether Ashwagandha is safe therefore remains, for now, primarily a matter of careful use.

Can you use Ashwagandha safely?

Yes, you can safely use Ashwagandha – provided you do so sensibly. Here are a few practical guidelines:

• Choose a reliable brand. Ensure that the supplement has been tested for purity and comes from controlled sources.
• Use only the root. Traditionally, only the root of the Ashwagandha plant is used. The leaves contain other substances (such as withaferine A) that may be more harmful.
• Be extra careful if you have liver problems. Do you have a history of liver disorders or are you taking medication that puts a strain on the liver? Then consult a doctor or phytotherapist.
• Pay attention to dosage and duration. Do not take more than recommended and take a break if using for a long period.

By following these guidelines, you reduce the risk of Ashwagandha becoming dangerous due to contamination or misuse.

What does age-old tradition say?

Ashwagandha – also known as Withania somnifera – has deep roots in Ayurveda, the traditional health system of India that has existed for thousands of years. Within this system, Ashwagandha is considered a so-called Rasayana – a class of plants traditionally used to support general health. 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). In this context, the herb was rarely used in isolation: it was part of a holistic approach in which diet, lifestyle, and other herbs also played a role.

The leaf of the plant was hardly used in classical Ayurveda, partly due to the stronger effect of certain constituents, such as withaferine A. In the modern supplement world, the leaf is sometimes added to increase the concentration of active ingredients – a development that deviates from traditional use.

In other words: Ashwagandha is not a recently discovered super herb, but a proven remedy within a broader system of knowledge and care. That historical context teaches us that powerful is not the same as risk-free, and that thoughtful application is essential when considering the question of whether Ashwagandha is safe.

Finally: stay critical, but also calm

Is Ashwagandha a dangerous herb? Not necessarily. But it is no candy either. Like any powerful substance, it requires responsible use.

Do not be guided by fear, but neither by blind trust. Choose quality, be aware of your own health situation, and always consult a professional if in doubt.

References:

1. Philips CA, Valsan A, Theruvath AH, et al. (2023). *Hepatol Commun.* 7(10): e0270.
2. Philips CA, Ahamed R, Rajesh S, et al. (2020). *World J Hepatol.* 12(9): 574–595.
3. Philips CA, Augustine P, Rajesh S, et al. (2019). *J Clin Exp Hepatol.* 9(2): 268–272.
4. Andrade RJ, Chalasani N, Björnsson ES et al. (2019). *Nat Rev Dis Primers.* 5(1): 58.
5. [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/)
   
6. [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/)