Withania somnifera · Root
Ashwagandha
Traditional + some evidenceIts Sanskrit name means 'smell of the horse', said to describe both its aroma and the strength it was thought to give. It is a classic Ayurvedic rasayana herb.
Traditionally used for
- Traditionally used in Ayurveda to support strength, vitality and rest
What research says
NCCIH reports a number of small studies on ashwagandha for stress and sleep with some positive results, but long-term safety is not well understood.
How people use it
- Root powder in warm milk with honey (traditional Ayurvedic preparation)
- Standardized capsules from tested brands
Safety and interactions
- Rare liver injury has been reported
- Avoid in pregnancy
- Talk with your doctor if you have thyroid disease or take sedatives or thyroid medicine
Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using ashwagandha as a supplement, especially with prescription medicine, in pregnancy or before surgery.
Sources
Reviewed October 25, 2026. Evidence tier: Traditional + some evidence: Long traditional use; human research is limited, small or mixed. How we rank evidence.