{"id":202704,"date":"2025-06-21T14:10:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T14:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/202704\/"},"modified":"2025-06-21T14:10:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T14:10:14","slug":"5-potential-serious-side-effects-of-ashwagandha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/202704\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Potential Serious Side Effects of Ashwagandha"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Ashwagandha provides many benefits that affect both your physical and mental health, and it\u2019s been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. While ashwagandha supplements are generally well-tolerated, there are some potentially serious side effects to know before taking them.<\/p>\n<p>  1. Liver Injury  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> The most dangerous side effect of ashwagandha supplements you should be aware of is liver injury.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> \u201cThere is increasing recognition of herb-induced liver injury associated with ashwagandha, particularly with prolonged use,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/daniel-abazia-5abab610\/\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daniel T. Abazia, PharmD, BCPS, CPPS<\/a>, clinical associate professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers Health, told Verywell.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_8-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> \u201cWhile most cases resolve after discontinuation, severe outcomes\u2014including acute-on-chronic liver failure and death in patients with pre-existing liver disease\u2014have been reported,\u201d he added.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_10-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Since the long-term safety of ashwagandha is unknown, it is recommended to supplement for no longer than three months,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/samantha-dieras-dcn-rd-cdn-cdces-a6470068\/\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Samantha Dieras, DCN, RD, CDN<\/a>, director of ambulatory nutrition services at Mount Sinai Health System, told Verywell.<\/p>\n<p>  2. Drowsiness  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_13-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> This may not be surprising since ashwagandha has been linked to improved sleep quality, but somnolence, or a state of drowsiness or sleepiness, is a <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/ashwagandha-benefits-for-women-8776598\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">common side effect of ashwagandha supplements<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_15-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Though the effect is usually mild, it\u2019s good to keep in mind that you may feel a little more fatigued than normal after starting the supplements, Abazia said.\n<\/p>\n<p>  3. Vomiting  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_18-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> It\u2019s rare, but ashwagandha supplements may cause vomiting for some people, according to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zumpano-julia-4757482a\/\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Julia Zumpano, RD<\/a>, a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_20-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Your chances of getting sick may rise if you take more than the recommended amount of the supplements.\n<\/p>\n<p>  4. Loose Stool  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_23-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Ashwagandha supplements can also affect your bathroom habits. \u201cLoose stool is among the most common mild and transient adverse effects\u201d of ashwaganda supplements, Abazia said.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_25-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Ashwagandha supplements may cause direct irritation to the intestinal mucosa, which could lead to stomach upset in some people.\n<\/p>\n<p>  5. Nausea  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_30-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Some people experience nausea when taking ashwagandha supplements, but most of the time it remains mild. Nausea is one of the less common side effects associated with ashwagandha, Abazia said.\n<\/p>\n<p>  Who Should Not Take Ashwagandha Supplements?  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_33-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Ashwagandha supplements can be <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/these-supplements-can-interfere-with-your-medications-7501468\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dangerous to people who take certain medications<\/a> or live with certain health conditions.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_35-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;Patients with pre-existing chronic liver disease are at highest risk for developing serious adverse effects, including herb-induced liver injury, with long-term or high-dose use of ashwagandha supplements,\u201d Abazia said.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_37-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Before taking ashwagandha supplements, you should speak with a pharmacist about your other medications to ensure you won\u2019t experience any dangerous reactions.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_39-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> \u201cAshwagandha is known to <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/immunosuppressants-4846160\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">interact with immunosuppressants<\/a>, sedative medications, <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/thyroid-disease-medications-3231845\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">thyroid medications<\/a>, and diabetes medications,\u201d Dieras said. Pregnant women should also avoid ashwagandha, as should men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, she added.\n<\/p>\n<p>What This Means For You<\/p>\n<p>Ashwagandha has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, and there are many known benefits of taking ashwagandha supplements. They can support both your physical and mental health, but they can also cause uncomfortable and, in rare cases, dangerous side effects.<\/p>\n<p><img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/maggieoneill-16204cf3e01b424bbbd66733f6fb4668.jpeg\" width=\"144\" height=\"144\" alt=\"Maggie O'Neill\" class=\"lazyload author-bio__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" data-expand=\"300\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"author-bio__bio-text\">\nBy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/maggie-o-neill-8399986\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maggie O&#8217;Neill<\/a><br \/>\n<br \/>O\u2019Neill is a reporter who covers new medical research and addiction. She previously worked at SELF\u00a0magazine and Health.com, and she was a 2020 fellow at the Association of Health Care Journalists.\n<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for your feedback!<\/p>\n<p>What is your feedback?<\/p>\n<p> Helpful<\/p>\n<p> Report an Error<\/p>\n<p> Other<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ashwagandha provides many benefits that affect both your physical and mental health, and it\u2019s been used for centuries&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":202705,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4315],"tags":[105,4326,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-202704","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-medication","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114721759178022418","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=202704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202704\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/202705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=202704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=202704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=202704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}