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Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera root

Threats to Ashwaganda safety ~ responding to new reports of liver damage?

In light of the recent reported idiosyncratic cases of liver toxicity and even death possibly linked to the use of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) I would like to share this excellent article written by Simon Mills.

Threats to ashwagandha safety: How do we respond to new reports of liver damage?
By Simon Mills

I will continue to prescribe Ashwaganda in my practice whilst being mindful of the following to ensure minimum risk and to proactively engage with any threat to it’s use:

  1. Ensure supplies of ashwagandha are assured as root only, without added leaf, and otherwise to avoid high withanolide products.
  2. Avoid prescribing ashwagandha in patients with severe liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
  3. Avoid ashwagandha if the patient is regularly taking paracetamol (Tylenol).

Thank you, Andrea

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