{"id":1016984,"date":"2026-06-10T06:39:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T06:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1016984\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T06:39:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T06:39:16","slug":"why-is-ashwagandha-becoming-the-go-to-remedy-for-many-south-africans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1016984\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is ashwagandha becoming the go-to remedy for many South Africans?"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Cape Town wellness studios to Durban pharmacies, ashwagandha has surged into the mainstream at remarkable speed. Once a niche Ayurvedic herb, it is now being snapped up in capsules, teas and powders across South Africa.<\/p>\n

Users say it helps with stress, sleep burnout, but the sudden boom raises urgent questions. Why are so many people turning to this ancient root<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Bonga Chiliza, associate professor, chief specialist and head of the department of psychiatry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), told IOL that the herb may have a role in alleviating mild mental health symptoms, but warned that its popularity is being driven by broader social pressures.<\/p>\n

“It’s quite a useful medicinal plant for people with mild depression and anxiety, stress, depression, anxiety. And we think it does help reduce stress, depression, anxiety in mild cases in some people. There’s certainly some evidence of that,” he said.<\/p>\n

He links the boom to worsening mental health trends.<\/p>\n

“The reason why is probably all the fad at the moment is because many people have stress and depression, anxiety. Since post Covid-19 we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people with depression, anxiety that are seeing psychiatrists in our country.<\/p>\n

“Certainly, people who have never seen a psychiatrist before, and of course people that have seen psychiatrists before relapsing during Covid-19”<\/p>\n

According to Grand View Research, South Africa is the largest consumer and importer of ashwagandha<\/a> in the Middle East and Africa region. The local market generated about USD 9.1 million in revenue in 2024 and is projected to grow to approximately USD 15.7 million by 2033, driven by the continued rise of wellness trends.<\/p>\n

Studies led by \u2060Wits University show that 25.7% of the South African population, more than a quarter of all citizens, show clinical symptoms of moderate to severe depression.<\/p>\n

“Mental illness significantly impairs overall health. And, of course, Covid-19 worsened depression and anxiety, with fear, uncertainty and social and economic disruptions arising during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

“Although mental health care was considered an essential service during the lockdown period in South Africa, restrictions on physical contact, in-person consultations, transport, and financial restrictions made access to facilities difficult. Thus, those seeking treatment could not access comprehensive care,” said Dr Ashleigh Craig, one of the reasearchers.<\/p>\n

Chiliza added that pressure on services has increased. “It seems that the demand for psychiatrists is certainly on the rise. We don’t have much data. But certainly, I think one of the reasons why people are raving about it is because people probably need to take some kind of supplement or over-the-counter medication for it.”<\/p>\n

But he cautioned that access and dosing remain poorly regulated.<\/p>\n

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) classifies ashwagandha<\/a> as an unregistered medicine under Category D: Complementary Medicines, requiring specific labelling on retail products and adherence to safety guidelines.<\/p>\n

Under Regulation 7.04, permitted uses for it include relief of sleeplessness and fatigue, while contraindicating use for individuals with thyroid disorders or autoimmune conditions.<\/p>\n

“The trick with it, like other medications that are over the counter, is that it’s not prescribed by a specific doctor, and therefore we don’t really know the correct dose of the medication.<\/p>\n

“I think if you listen to social media posts and stuff, it looks like people are taking very varied different types of it, preparations and doses and different ways of doing it. So that’s one of the difficulties,” he added.<\/p>\n

Chiliza warned of interaction risks. We also know that like other herbal things, medications or tablets or muthis that people take, they do have some drug-drug interactions with other medications\u2026 you may find that people are perhaps on other medications\u2026 and then it has a drug interaction and makes the person sick.”<\/p>\n

He emphasised that those who use the herb educate themselves on treatment safety.<\/p>\n

“I would caution very much against anyone stopping the antidepressants to take this ashwagandha. I think that if one does want to do that, it\u2019s always good to go see your prescribing physician and ask them how you can safely get off your antidepressants first before trying out any of these supplements.<\/p>\n

“It is a medication even though it\u2019s a plant, even though you get over the counter, it does affect your systems. It is processed like other medications in the liver.”<\/p>\n

A man in his late 20s, who asked to remain anonymous, described a disorienting experience after trying ashwagandha for the first time, saying the effects were far stronger than he expected.<\/p>\n

“I went to buy it during lunch at work and then I took two. And then it was during the knock off time in the afternoon. And then when I went home in a taxi, I just felt like I was in another world or another country,” he said.<\/p>\n

He added that the sensation became more intense as the effects set in. “My mind was no longer there, but I didn’t even know what was happening with me. I just felt like I could just get out of the taxi and just walk to anywhere in the country. That\u2019s what I felt.”<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the following day’s experience, he said “And then the following day when I took it again. I took two again. And then I got into a taxi. So, when I got to the stop, I just felt like no man, I’m not okay. I was so dizzy. I just felt like I would collapse anytime soon\u2026 I was just dizzy.”<\/p>\n

However, he added that he continued taking it and he grew out of the initial side effects.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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