Archive · 28 Sep 2026
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.
- When
- The study was published on August 20; participants received the intervention for 24 weeks and were followed through week 28.
- Where
- The trial was conducted across seven study sites in India.
- Why
- Researchers aimed to evaluate prolonged use and tolerability of Ashwagandha after COVISHIELD vaccination and assess whether it affected vaccine-induced immunity.
- 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