Ashwagandha
Context:
Ashwagandha took centre stage at a high-level international side event held on the sidelines of the 2nd WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, 2025.
There has been a scientific surge regarding the herb, with the number of studies exploring its medicinal use doubling between 2019 and 2024
About the Herb:
The Scientific name is Withania somnifera.
It is one of Ayurveda's most revered Rasayana herbs.
The herb is gaining international recognition for its adaptogenic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties.
Key Health Benefits (Based on clinical trials):
A systematic review identified that Ashwagandha supplementation resulted in significant stress and anxiety reduction compared to placebo groups.
Randomized controlled trials found that the extract significantly improved sleep quality in adults, especially those diagnosed with insomnia.
The extract was also noted to enhance mental alertness upon waking.
Global Standardization:
Experts at the WHO summit emphasized the need for harmonising standards and ensuring reproducible efficacy.
The focus is on safety assessment, pharmacovigilance, and standardisation to support its responsible global use and integration into conventional healthcare systems.