15 Serious Side Effects Of Ashwagandha & Precautions To Take
Ashwagandha is one of the most used herbs in Ayurveda. It is scientifically known as Withania Somnifera. While it offers an array of health benefits, the side effects of ashwagandha are also documented. In people with allergies or autoimmune diseases, ashwagandha may cause adverse effects as it has immunomodulatory and hypoglycemic properties. There is also some evidence that it may cause abortions. In this article, you will read more about such negative effects of this herb. Scroll down to know more.
StyleCraze Trivia Ashwagandha combines two Sanskrit words – ‘ashwa,’ meaning horse, and ‘gandha,’ meaning smell. This alludes to the strong horse-like odor of the herb.
In This Article
What Are The Side Effects Of Ashwagandha?
1. May Be Harmful During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
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Ashwagandha is one of those herbs that can harm the baby or terminate pregnancy. According to reports by the Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center, ashwagandha can induce abortion (1).
The herb may also cause miscarriages. There is little information on the safety of ashwagandha during breastfeeding. Hence, stay on the safe side and avoid its use.
2. May Cause Liver Damage
Patients taking commercial herbal products containing ashwagandha were found to experience liver injuries (2). However, the herb’s mechanism in this regard is yet to be understood.
Related: Cirrhosis Of The Liver: Causes, Signs, Stages, & Treatments
3. May Lower Blood Sugar Way Too Much
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Studies show that ashwagandha can lower blood sugar levels (3). However, this may not be beneficial to someone on diabetes medication. The herb may lower blood sugar levels way too much. This causes other complications.
Studies showed hypoglycemic effects and effects on insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats (4), (5). Hence, those on diabetes medications may experience adverse effects with the intake of ashwagandha.
4. May Aggravate Hyperthyroidism
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Ashwagandha is known to increase thyroid hormone concentrations. Hence, those with hyperthyroidism may experience undesirable symptoms (6). Hyperthyroidism is a condition characterized by already excess levels of thyroid hormones in the serum.
Individuals diagnosed with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) must also consult their doctor before taking ashwagandha as the herb may interact with the associated medications.
Related: Thyroid Diet: Foods To Eat For Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
5. May Aggravate Autoimmune Diseases
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Ashwagandha extract is known to boost the immune system (7). This property may be a problem for individuals diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Medications taken for treating autoimmune diseases decrease immune system response, and supplementing them with ashwagandha may interfere with their effectiveness. More research is needed to understand the mechanism of ashwagandha on autoimmune diseases.
6. May Cause Gastrointestinal Issues
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Excess ashwagandha may irritate the gastrointestinal tract (2). Hence, those with stomach ulcers are suggested to avoid the herb. Constipation was another side effect seen in a group that took ashwagandha (8). The herb may also cause diarrhea and an upset stomach (2).
Related: 14 Home Remedies For Digestive Problems And Prevention Tips
7. May Cause Drowsiness
In rat studies, ashwagandha was found to have relaxing properties that might lead to drowsiness (9). Hence, someone on medications for insomnia may experience excessive sleepiness with the herb intake.
Ensure you don’t use the herb in conjunction with sleep medications like lorazepam, zolpidem, or alprazolam. Though the research about herb-drug interactions is limited, it is important to exercise caution.
Studies have also confirmed the sleep-inducing properties of ashwagandha (10). Taking the herb along with sedatives may lead to excessive drowsiness. Hence, consult your doctor.
8. May Lead To Erectile Dysfunction
As per researchers from the University of Ruhuna, ashwagandha root extract may cause erectile dysfunction and decrease male sexual performance (11). Though the herb is believed to be an aphrodisiac, this is something to be considered. More research on humans is needed to understand this phenomenon further.
9. May Causes Allergies
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some people may experience allergies due to ashwagandha. The reactions may include skin rashes, itchiness, inflammation, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing. People allergic to nightshades may also be allergic to ashwagandha. However, we need more research on this.
10. May Cause Fever
The use of ashwagandha may increase body temperature in some individuals. However, how this happens is yet to be understood. The elevated body temperature is said to return to normal in a few days. Information on this aspect is insufficient. If you have a high body temperature for any reason, consult your doctor before taking ashwagandha.
11. May Cause Bleeding
Ashwagandha may cause bleeding. Individuals with bleeding disorders are not recommended to take the herb. However, no concrete research supports this, except for anecdotal evidence.
12. May Cause Dry Mouth
Intake of excess ashwagandha may cause dry mouth in certain individuals. Though there is not enough research, it is better to exercise caution and consult your doctor if the condition arises.
Most of the side effects of ashwagandha are based on anecdotal evidence. While more research is ongoing, it is important to take precautions.
13. May Cause Kidney Damage
As per research, with its immunostimulatory effects, ashwagandha may lead to kidney allograft rejection (12). Therefore, people considering a kidney transplant should consult their doctor about the same.
14. May Lower Blood Pressure
While ashwagandha on its own might be beneficial for people with hypertension, its ability to lower blood pressure could prove fatal if combined with other hypertension-lowering drugs and medications. In addition, it could also prove dangerous for people with low blood pressure conditions (13). That’s why it is essential to consult your doctor before adding it to your wellness regimen.
Related: 15 Simple & Natural Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure At Home
15. May Induce Drug Interactions
If you are on any medication, you should consult a doctor before you include Ashwagandha in your wellness routine. Ashwagandha may result in drug interactions, especially with sedatives, immune suppressants, liver medications, diabetes, thyroid, cholesterol, or hypertension-related medications (4), (9), (10), (2),(7), (6).
Given the above side effects of ashwagandha, it is essential to consult a licensed medical practitioner before taking this herb in any form. Also, there are certain health conditions and situations wherein you should avoid ashwagandha altogether.
Who Should Not Take Ashwagandha
You should not include ashwagandha in your wellness routine in any form if you are dealing with any of the below health conditions.
- Pregnancy: Ashwagandha has not been widely studied for its effects on human pregnancies. It is therefore advised to avoid its consumption when pregnant.
- Hyperthyroidism: Ashwagandha may alter the normal functioning of the thyroid and may increase the thyroid hormones. This could be dangerous for people with hyperthyroidism (14). It may also interfere with the results of thyroid tests, so it’s important to inform your doctor if you are taking ashwagandha in any form.
- Prostate Cancer: Ashwagandha may potentially increase your serum testosterone levels which could be dangerous for people with prostate cancer (15).
- An Autoimmune Condition: Ashwagandha has immunostimulating properties, which can help boost the immune system (7). This may decrease the effects of immunosuppressant drugs generally used for managing autoimmune disorders.
- Diabetes: Animal studies suggest that Ashwagandha may decrease blood sugar levels (4), (5). While it’s still not yet established for humans, people with diabetes should consult with their doctor before taking ashwagandha.
- Liver Concerns: Ashwagandha, beyond its prescribed dose, may affect your liver health or aggravate pre-existing liver conditions (2). So you should consult your doctor before including it in your routine.
- Impending Surgery: In case of an upcoming surgery that requires anesthesia, you should stop taking ashwagandha at least two weeks ahead to avoid any potential drug interactions (16).
While most of the risks of ashwagandha may seem to be based on anecdotal evidence, it is still important to take precautions to avoid any adverse effects.
Precautions To Be Taken
It is important to take ashwagandha in the right dosage. Strictly follow medical advice to prevent any adverse reactions. Certain other precautions that one must take include the following:
- Ashwagandha root extract should be used only as a supplement as it is non-toxic in comparison to Withaferin A (the anticancer molecule).
- It is advisable to take ashwagandha with meals (or breakfast) with a full glass of water.
- As ashwagandha may increase the effects of certain drugs or medications, it is important to review the drugs or medications that you are taking before consuming them.
- Those who experience abdominal disorders after using ashwagandha should consult their doctor. Large doses of ashwagandha may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.
The ideal dosage of ashwagandha would be suggested by your doctor or healthcare provider. However, there are some recommendations you may want to know.
Recommended Dosage
- Powder (leaf): 1-2 teaspoons a day
- Root: 1-2 teaspoons a day
- Capsule: 1-6 g of the whole herb (by mouth) per day
- Tea: 3 cups of the whole herb per day (1-6 g)
- Tincture: 2-4 mL (by mouth), thrice a day
Stylecraze Says You can add honey, tulsi, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, or lemon to cut through the bitter taste of your ashwagandha tea.
Exceeding the dosage may cause side effects. There is less research to substantiate these dosage values. You may talk to your doctor for the exact dosage for you.
Infographic: What To Look For While Choosing Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is a widely used herb with many medicinal values. However, it also may cause side effects. Consuming contaminated or poor-quality products made of this herb may harm one’s health. The good news is – considering certain factors beforehand can help minimize the risk of these negative effects. Click on the infographic below to learn more.
Ashwagandha is a popular herb with many medicinal properties. It has been used for treating many ailments and has a long history in alternative medicine. However, one must also be aware of some of the side effects of ashwagandha. Excess intake of this herbal remedy may induce abortion, cause liver damage, lower blood sugar levels way too much, aggravate hyperthyroidism, and lead to autoimmune disease. Also, if you want to opt for ashwagandha supplements, get them from a reliable manufacturer. As it is not suitable for everyone, consult your doctor before using this herb.
