24-Week Trial Finds Ashwagandha Safe for Liver and Kidneys
A major multicentre study reveals that daily Ashwagandha root extract shows no evidence of liver or kidney injury over a 24-week period.
A major multicentre clinical study has provided significant scientific backing for the safety of Ashwagandha, revealing that daily consumption of a standardised root extract over 24 weeks shows no evidence of causing liver or kidney injury. The findings, published in Frontiers in Medicine, offer much-needed clarity on the long-term tolerability of this widely used Ayurvedic herb.
Rigorous Scientific Testing
The study, titled “Safe prolonged prophylactic use and tolerability of Ashwagandha following COVISHIELD™ vaccination over 24 weeks: a multicentre randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial,” involved a massive collaborative effort. A multidisciplinary team of 45 researchers from nine prestigious institutions—including the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and the All India Institute of Ayurveda—conducted the research.
The trial was highly controlled, involving 1,200 healthy adults aged between 18 and 70 years. These participants, who had previously received doses of the COVISHIELD vaccine, were split into two groups:
- The Intervention Group: Received 500 mg of a standardised aqueous Ashwagandha root extract daily (equivalent to 4 grams of raw root powder).
- The Control Group: Received a matching placebo.
The study was monitored across seven different sites in India and was officially registered with the Clinical Trials Registry–India.
No Signs of Organ Damage
One of the most critical aspects of the trial was monitoring how the extract affected vital organ functions. Researchers closely tracked liver and kidney parameters throughout the 24-week period, with follow-ups continuing until week 28.
The results were reassuring for those using Ayurvedic supplements:
- Liver Health: Assessments of liver enzymes and bilirubin showed no signs of treatment-related hepatic injury.
- Kidney Health: Tests for creatinine and blood urea remained within normal physiological reference ranges, indicating no renal damage.
- Adverse Events: No serious adverse events were linked to the Ashwagandha intervention, and notably, no participant withdrew from the study due to side effects.
Of the initial 1,200 participants, 1,032 (86 per cent) successfully completed the entire duration of the study.
Impact on Immunity and Global Recognition
Beyond organ safety, the study also looked at how Ashwagandha might interact with vaccine-induced immunity. Dr. Arvind Chopra, the lead author and a distinguished scientist, noted that the extract did not interfere with the body's immune response. High levels of neutralising activity were maintained in both the Ashwagandha and the placebo groups.
“This large, multicentre, randomised clinical trial provides important evidence on the safety and tolerability of standardised Ashwagandha over 24 weeks,” Dr. Chopra stated, emphasizing the necessity of such rigorous testing for Ayurvedic preparations.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, highlighted that these findings strengthen the scientific foundation of Ayurveda. He noted that high-quality research like this supports the responsible use of Ayurvedic interventions in both local and global healthcare and wellness settings.