Experts Discuss Global Use Of Ashwagandha At WHO Summit In Delhi

With medicinal plant Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) gaining global recognition for its adaptogenic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties, eminent experts, regulators, researchers and policymakers recently at an event in Delhi deliberated on the evolving scientific, regulatory and safety landscape surrounding one of the Ayurveda’s most revered Rasayana herbs.

The session, titled “Ashwagandha: From Traditional Wisdom to Global Impact – Perspectives from Leading Global Experts,” was held on the sidelines of the ongoing 2nd WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, 2025, reaffirming India’s leadership in advancing traditional medicine through evidence-based global dialogue.

The global event is being organised by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO-GTMC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush in the national capital.

The discussions focused on strengthening the bridge between traditional knowledge systems and contemporary scientific validation with experts underscoring the importance of rigorous preclinical and clinical research, safety assessment, pharmacovigilance and standardisation to support its responsible global use.

Moderated by Dr. JB. Gupta, Secretary, World Ashwagandha Council, the session featured keynote presentations by leading international authorities. Dr. Roy Upton of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia highlighted global benchmarks for identity, quality testing and therapeutic applications.

Mari Lyyra, Head of Food and Feed at Medfiles Ltd, Finland, shared perspectives on Europe’s regulatory environment and the growing acceptance of Ashwagandha. Dr. Ikhlas Khan, Director of the National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, emphasised the need for methodological rigor and robust evidence to inform regulatory decision-making.

Dr. Geetha Krishnan of WHO-GTMC addressed the balance between promise and precaution in the global adoption of Ashwagandha.

Calling the debate as a need of the hour as interest in traditional medicine grows globally, Dr Rakesh Yadav, Professor, Department of Ayurveda Medicine, All India Institute of Ayurveda, Delhi told The Health Outlook, “Extensive clinical trials are underway to better understand Ashwagandha’s mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Research groups across the world – including in the United States and Europe – continue to evaluate its adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory actions.”

He said Ashwagandha is known for its role as an anti-inflammatory agent, supporting its traditional use in conditions like arthritis. Researchers have also examined its potential as an adjuvant therapy alongside conventional treatment for critical illnesses, including certain cancers, as well as supportive use in tuberculosis management.

“Scientifically, the herb’s activity is attributed mainly to its biologically active constituents known as withanolides, such as withaferin A and withanolide B.”

However, in Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is not administered as an isolated extract; rather, the whole plant is traditionally used – commonly in the form of powder (churna), decoction, or medicated ghee – reflecting a holistic approach that values the synergy of all plant components, said Dr Yadav.

As per the data from the PubMed website, by March 2025, over 1,911 studies have been published so far around Ashwagandha, marking a significant rise in recent years in scientific exploration around the herb.

Recognising the increasing scientific interest in and around Ashwagandha, the Ministry of Ayush has published a comprehensive safety dossier on the herb to aid scientists and scholars. Also, to address safety-related aspects of the herb, an expert committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Chancellor, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, was constituted, and the report of the committee has also been published. These publications aim to provide scientifically validated information about Ashwagandha’s safety, efficacy, and therapeutic potential.

A recent systematic review analysing five randomised controlled trials with 400 participants found that Ashwagandha extract significantly improved sleep quality in adults, especially those diagnosed with insomnia. The extract was also noted to enhance mental alertness upon waking and reduce anxiety levels.

Furthermore, several clinical trials suggest that Ashwagandha extracts may help alleviate stress and anxiety. A 2021 systematic review identified seven studies involving 491 adults from India, revealing that Ashwagandha supplementation for 6 to 8 weeks resulted in significant stress and anxiety reduction compared to placebo groups.