Ashwagandha is a popular herbal supplement used for stress and sleep, but some people worry it might harm pregnancy. Researchers reviewed all available scientific studies and historical records about ashwagandha’s safety during pregnancy. They found that while old traditional texts mentioned potential risks, modern scientific studies in animals and humans don’t show clear evidence of harm. The researchers say we need better, more careful studies to be completely sure, but current evidence suggests ashwagandha is likely safe when used at normal doses.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether ashwagandha, a popular herbal supplement, can harm a developing baby or cause miscarriage
  • Who participated: This wasn’t a study of people—instead, researchers looked at all existing studies, animal tests, and historical records about ashwagandha and pregnancy safety
  • Key finding: Animal studies and human research show no clear evidence that ashwagandha causes birth defects or miscarriage at doses people normally use, though historical claims about these risks exist
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, ashwagandha appears to be likely safe based on current evidence, but you should always talk to your doctor before using any supplement during pregnancy

The Research Details

This was a systematic review, which means researchers carefully searched through all published scientific studies, animal research, and historical records about ashwagandha and pregnancy safety. They followed strict guidelines (called PRISMA) to make sure they looked at the information fairly and didn’t miss important studies. The researchers examined three main areas: how ashwagandha moves through the body, how it affects cells and organs, and what safety information exists from both modern science and traditional medicine practices.

The team looked at toxicology studies (tests of how poisonous something is), animal research, and human clinical trials. They also investigated old ethnobotanical records—historical accounts of how traditional healers used ashwagandha. This combination of modern science and historical research helped them get a complete picture of the safety question.

This type of research is important because ashwagandha is used by millions of people worldwide, including some who might be pregnant. When there are safety concerns, it’s crucial to look at all available evidence carefully rather than relying on rumors or old stories. By reviewing everything together, researchers can give people accurate information to make informed decisions with their doctors.

This review followed strict scientific standards (PRISMA guidelines) designed to prevent bias and ensure thorough research. The researchers were careful to check whether old historical claims were actually based on real evidence or just repeated stories. They noted that many traditional claims lacked original sources, which is an important finding. The review examined both animal studies and human research, which strengthens the conclusions. However, the researchers themselves point out that more high-quality human studies specifically looking at pregnancy outcomes would make the evidence even stronger.

What the Results Show

The main finding is that ashwagandha appears to be safe during pregnancy based on current scientific evidence. Animal studies—which are the first step in testing safety—showed that ashwagandha has high tolerability, meaning the body handles it well even at high doses. These animal studies found no significant problems with reproduction or fetal development at doses similar to what humans use.

Human clinical studies also showed no harmful effects on hormones, thyroid function, or reproductive health. This is important because if ashwagandha were truly dangerous during pregnancy, we would expect to see problems in these areas. The fact that human studies don’t show these problems suggests the supplement is likely safe.

However, the researchers found something interesting about the historical claims: many old stories about ashwagandha causing miscarriage couldn’t be traced back to original sources. Instead, these claims seemed to have been repeated from book to book without anyone checking if they were actually true. This is called ‘citation distortion,’ and it’s a common problem in traditional medicine information.

The review found that ashwagandha is well-tolerated by the body at normal doses, with few side effects reported in human studies. The researchers also noted that ashwagandha has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, and while this doesn’t guarantee safety, it does suggest that serious problems would likely have been noticed by now. The review highlighted that ashwagandha’s active compounds interact with the body in ways that don’t appear to cause the problems some people worry about.

This review brings together information that was scattered across many different studies and historical sources. Previous concerns about ashwagandha came mainly from traditional medicine texts and WHO warnings, but this systematic review shows that when you look at actual scientific evidence, the picture is different. The researchers found that modern scientific studies don’t support the serious safety concerns that had been raised. This doesn’t mean ashwagandha is perfect—all supplements carry some risk—but it suggests the level of concern may have been higher than the evidence warrants.

The biggest limitation is that there aren’t many high-quality human studies specifically looking at ashwagandha use during pregnancy. Most of the evidence comes from animal studies, which don’t always predict what will happen in humans. The researchers also noted that many historical claims about ashwagandha couldn’t be verified, so we can’t be completely sure whether those old concerns were based on real observations. Additionally, this review looked at ashwagandha in general, but different products may have different quality and purity levels, which could affect safety. Finally, the review couldn’t look at every possible effect on pregnancy because some studies simply haven’t been done yet.

The Bottom Line

Based on current evidence, ashwagandha appears to be likely safe at normal doses, but pregnant women should consult their doctor before using it (moderate confidence level). For women trying to become pregnant, ashwagandha doesn’t appear to interfere with fertility based on available studies (moderate confidence level). Women who are breastfeeding should also check with their healthcare provider before using ashwagandha, as less research exists on this situation (lower confidence level).

This research matters most for pregnant women, women trying to become pregnant, and women who are breastfeeding. It’s also relevant for healthcare providers who advise patients about supplement safety. People with thyroid conditions should care because the review specifically looked at thyroid safety. However, this research doesn’t apply to people who aren’t pregnant or planning pregnancy—for them, different safety considerations may apply.

If you’re considering ashwagandha for stress or sleep during pregnancy, you wouldn’t see immediate harm, as the research suggests it’s likely safe. However, benefits like improved sleep or reduced stress typically take 2-4 weeks to appear with ashwagandha, just like with other supplements. The important thing is that safety concerns don’t appear to develop over time either.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using ashwagandha during pregnancy with doctor approval, track daily dose taken (in mg), time of day, and any symptoms or concerns in a health journal within the app. This creates a record to discuss with your healthcare provider.
  • Users can set a reminder to take ashwagandha at the same time daily and log it in the app. They can also use the app to track what they’re taking it for (stress, sleep) and rate improvements weekly to see if it’s actually helping them.
  • Create a monthly check-in reminder to review ashwagandha use with your healthcare provider. Use the app to track any new symptoms or concerns and share this log during prenatal appointments. Set alerts to discuss supplement use at each doctor visit.

This review summarizes scientific research about ashwagandha safety during pregnancy, but it is not medical advice. Pregnancy is a unique condition where any supplement use should be discussed with your doctor or midwife before starting. While this research suggests ashwagandha is likely safe, individual circumstances vary, and your healthcare provider knows your specific health situation best. Do not start, stop, or change any supplement use during pregnancy without consulting your healthcare team. If you have concerns about ashwagandha or any other supplement, contact your doctor immediately.