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Large Trial Finds 24 Weeks of Ashwagandha Well Tolerated
Researchers studied whether taking Ashwagandha for a long period caused health problems.
The study included 1,200 adults who had received a COVISHIELD vaccination.
Half received a daily Ashwagandha extract, while the others received a placebo.
The participants took these treatments for 24 weeks and were followed until week 28.
The researchers checked their liver and kidney test results.
These tests did not show treatment-related liver or kidney injury.
No serious side effects were blamed on Ashwagandha, and nobody left the study because of a side effect.
The vaccine-related immune response stayed strong in both groups.
The study found no meaningful difference in immunity between people taking Ashwagandha and those taking the placebo.
A multicentre trial found daily standardized Ashwagandha root extract was well tolerated over 24 weeks.
The study reported no treatment-related liver or kidney injury among 1,200 adults.
Participants received either 500 milligrams of extract or a matching placebo each day.
No serious adverse events were attributed to the intervention, and no participant withdrew because of an adverse event.
Virus-neutralizing activity exceeded 85% in both groups, with no statistically significant difference in vaccine-related immune response.
- Who
- A multidisciplinary team of 45 researchers studied 1,200 apparently healthy adults aged 18–70 who had received COVISHIELD vaccination.
- What
- The trial assessed the safety, tolerability and immune-response effects of a standardized aqueous Ashwagandha root extract taken for 24 weeks.
- Where
- The trial was conducted across seven study sites in India.
- When
- The study was published on August 20; participants received the intervention for 24 weeks and were followed through week 28.
- Why
- Researchers aimed to evaluate prolonged use and tolerability of Ashwagandha after COVISHIELD vaccination and assess whether it affected vaccine-induced immunity.
Key facts
- Participants
- 1,200 apparently healthy adults aged 18–70 years
- Intervention
- 500 milligrams of standardized aqueous Ashwagandha root extract daily
- Comparison
- A matching placebo
- Treatment period
- 24 weeks, with follow-up through week 28
- Safety findings
- No evidence of treatment-related hepatic or renal injury
- Serious adverse events
- Zero serious adverse events were considered attributable to the intervention
- Immune response
- Virus-neutralizing activity exceeded 85% in both groups, with no statistically significant difference
Quotes
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha
Secretary of India’s Ministry of Ayush
“High-quality clinical research strengthens the scientific evidence-base of Ayurveda and contributes to a deeper understanding of its potential within contemporary healthcare. The growing body of evidence from rigorous clinical studies is also supporting the responsible global utilisation of Ayurveda and its interventions across health and wellness settings.”
thehansindia.com
“Liver and kidney function parameters remained within the reported reference ranges, with assessments including liver enzymes, bilirubin, creatinine and blood urea showing no evidence of treatment-related hepatic or renal injury”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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