Ashwagandha
Food supplements containing preparations of ashwagandha, also known as sleeping berry, Indian ginseng or winter cherry, are available in conventional shops and online as powders, capsules, drops or teas. Ashwangandha (lat.: Whitania somnifera) is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is mainly the root of the plant or preparations thereof that are used. Recently, plant parts or herbal preparations from the root, but also from ashwangandha leaves, have been used in Europe in food supplements or tea drinks. Possible adverse effects of ashwagandha or Withania somnifera have hardly been
investigated in human studies to date. In view of the currently available findings, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) recommends that children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and people with an existing or previous liver disease in particular should not take ashwagandha preparations. Due to a lack of data and gaps in knowledge, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment also advises other sections of the general population to exercise caution when taking these preparations.
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