Linnea Zielinski and Mike Bohl, MD, MPH, at Healthguide, believe that people with diabetes should not take ashwagandha because it may cause them to become hypoglycemic.
Who should not take ashwagandha? These groups of people
Written by Linnea Zielinski
Reviewed by Mike Bohl, MD, MPH
LAST UPDATED JULY 10, 2020
Certain groups of people should avoid using ashwagandha, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those who have a medical condition like diabetes, high or low blood pressure, stomach ulcers, autoimmune disease, or thyroid disorders.
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If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is sometimes referred to as “Indian ginseng” or “winter cherry.” Withania somnifera belongs to the nightshade family of plants, and its suspected active ingredients include alkaloids, steroidal lactones, saponins, and withanolides.
Ashwagandha is commonly used in the form of traditional Indian medicine known as Ayurvedic medicine or simply, Ayurveda, and is a member of the family of medicinal plants known as adaptogens. Adaptogen herbs and roots may help balance physical, mental, and emotional stresses in the body—in short, they may aid your body in adapting to various stressors.
VITALS
Ashwagandha (also called “Indian ginseng” or “winter cherry”) is traditionally used in alternative medicine, like traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
As a member of the adaptogen family of medicinal plants, it may help your body adapt to physical, mental, and emotional stressors.
Ashwagandha is generally considered safe and has been used for stress, anxiety, low testosterone, and other medical conditions.
Certain groups of people should avoid using ashwagandha, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those who have a medical condition like diabetes, high or low blood pressure, stomach ulcers, autoimmune disease, or thyroid disorders.
Ashwagandha has been used to help with stress, anxiety, low testosterone, diabetes, skin diseases, epilepsy, and autoimmune diseases, among other health problems (NIDDK, 2019). However, the scientific data is limited and more research is needed to determine the health benefits and appropriate use of ashwagandha.
