10 Ashwagandha Side Effects Which You Must Know
Traditional uses for ashwagandha, often known as the winter cherry or Indian ginseng, include alternative therapies such as Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
As an adaptogen, this medicinal plant may assist your body in adjusting to emotional, mental, and physical pressures.
Ashwagandha has been used to treat stress, anxiety, low testosterone, and other medical conditions.
It is generally regarded as safe. Ashwagandha is a potent plant, and taking too much of it might have negative side effects.
In this article, we will be looking at some of the side effects associated with Ashwagandha.
Side Effects Of Ashwagandha
Here are some of the side effects of Ashwagandha-
Low Blood Pressure
Ashwagandha may lower blood pressure in those with high blood pressure. For persons with high or low blood pressure, this impact may pose an issue.
People with high blood pressure, especially those taking prescription pharmaceuticals to treat this condition, may suffer a pharmacological interaction with ashwagandha or experience an unexpected decline in blood pressure.
Ashwagandha may produce dangerously low blood pressure in those who already have low blood pressure.
Although some people would benefit from a supplement that decreases blood pressure, for others, this ashwagandha side effect can be harmful.
A lot of people who have hypertension, or high blood pressure, take a prescription drug under the supervision of their primary care doctor to lower their blood pressure.
If you combine these medications with ashwagandha, your blood pressure may fall even lower.
Because of this, you should always see a doctor before introducing a new supplement to your regimen.
You Could Have Digestive Problems
Taking ashwagandha may cause nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and other digestive problems.
The fact that this might not be as much of a problem if you take the medication by prescription is a plus.
When used as instructed, ashwagandha is a safe herb.
It may produce nausea or stomach discomfort when used in doses that are higher than those recommended or in greater quantities.
Might Make You Drowsy And Sleepy
Ashwagandha was discovered to have calming qualities in animal experiments, which may cause drowsiness.
As a result, using the herb may cause someone taking sleeping pills to become overly sleepy.
Make sure you do not combine the plant with benzodiazepines like alprazolam, zolpidem, and lorazepam.
Despite the paucity of knowledge on herb-drug interactions, vigilance must be used.
Many doctors have also supported the benefits of ashwagandha for promoting sleep.
The herb may cause extreme drowsiness if used alongside sedatives.
Might Decrease Thyroid Functionality
Some people may find this to be good news, especially those who suffer from diseases like hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which are characterized by reduced thyroid activity.
For those who already have hyperthyroidism or a high thyroid function, it can be harmful.
People with subclinical hypothyroidism (thyroid levels that weren’t low enough for a hypothyroidism diagnosis) were examined.
The two major thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were restored to normal levels in individuals who took ashwagandha root extract.
Doctors speculate that the cortisol-lowering properties of ashwagandha may be responsible for this impact, but more insight is needed to validate this.
When thyroid function isn’t low enough to reach the blood level cutoffs for actual hypothyroidism but is still causing symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss, Withania somnifera may be beneficial in treating the condition.
This side effect of ashwagandha could potentially be problematic for persons whose thyroids are already overactive because they are being treated with medication that reduces their thyroid hormone output.
If hyperthyroidism is unchecked, increased thyroid hormone levels can cause thyrotoxicosis, a dangerous disorder that can cause a variety of illnesses, including heart failure.
Maybe Harmful During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
There is a list of certain foods to avoid during pregnancy, and ashwagandha also comes under that list, as it could end a pregnancy or harm the unborn child.
Ashwagandha may cause abortions, and could be adversarial for breastfeeding mothers.
May Affect Autoimmune Diseases
It is known that ashwagandha extract strengthens the immune system. People who have autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis may have issues with this feature.
Treatments for autoimmune illnesses reduce the immune system’s response, and adding ashwagandha to a regimen may lessen its efficiency.
The mechanism of action of ashwagandha on autoimmune disorders requires further insights.
Stomach Ache
For certain people with sensitive stomachs, the leaf and root forms of Ashwagandha may be unpleasant, and taking large doses of it may also cause vomiting or diarrhea.
The information on the potential side effects of ashwagandha is vague and lacks clinical clarity.
If you have diabetes, liver disease, digestive issues, or ulcers, many herbalists advise against using Ashwagandha.
Many adults, men, women, and children have used it without incident for a very long time. However, given the risks, Ashwagandha should only be used as directed by a physician.
Hypotension
Avoid this herb if you have a condition of extremely low blood pressure. Prescription drugs are frequently used by people with hypertension to reduce blood pressure.
Taking ashwagandha together with them, however, may cause your blood pressure to drop too low. Therefore, before using it with other medications, talk to your doctor.
Might Lead To Dry Mouth
A select population may experience dry mouth if they take too much ashwagandha.
Even though there isn’t enough proof, it’s preferable to proceed with caution and see a doctor if the issue materializes.
Most of the negative effects of ashwagandha are based on rumors. However, extreme caution must be taken for your safety.
Miscarriages
Before taking any supplements, be sure to discuss them with your doctor if you are expecting them.
Even though you could feel stressed out at this time, you should avoid consuming this herb.
Ashwagandha has a lot of advantages, however, some of its ingredients can cause miscarriage.
Conclusion
Ayurvedic medicine ashwagandha has a variety of positive health effects. But modern science hasn’t fully embraced it yet.
Although ashwagandha has many benefits, it also has several negative effects.
It cannot be substituted by any of the doctor’s prescribed remedies.
Nevertheless, this herb is regarded as a fantastic health supplement that supports a strong immune system.
To achieve the finest benefits, only use it as needed. Consult your doctor if you want to use this herb in your treatment regimen.
It could diminish the therapeutic effects or result in certain undesirable side effects.