Allnutrition Ashwagandha KSM

Ashwagandha· evidence: Limited

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a root used in Ayurvedic tradition. Branded extracts such as KSM-66 and Sensoril have been tested in a number of small, short trials, mostly looking at self-reported stress, sleep and exercise measures. Results are encouraging in some studies but the trials are small, often funded by extract makers, and rarely last longer than 8 to 12 weeks.

There are no authorised health claims for ashwagandha in Great Britain, so we make no claims about what it does.

Safety has had more attention recently: the UK Committee on Toxicity reviewed ashwagandha in 2024 and Denmark has restricted its sale, mainly because of reports of liver injury and possible effects on thyroid hormones and pregnancy.

Typical dose: Studies have mostly used 250 to 600 mg a day of a standardised root extract.

Safety: Do not use if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding. Speak to your GP first if you have a thyroid condition or take thyroid medicine, have liver disease, an autoimmune condition, or take sedatives, blood pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing medicines. Rare cases of liver injury have been reported: stop and see a doctor if you notice yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine or tummy pain. Avoid before surgery.

Research we looked at:
Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) (2024). Statement on the potential risks from the consumption of ashwagandha in food supplements.
LiverTox: Ashwagandha. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH).
Lopresti AL et al. (2019). An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine 98(37):e17186.