Ashwagandha (Asgandh) for Women: What Studies Show, Safety and Who Should Avoid It
By Khawaja Saad Aslam · · 3 min read
Quick answer: Ashwagandha (asgandh) is a shrub used for thousands of years in Ayurveda. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says some preparations may help with insomnia and stress, that evidence on anxiety is unclear, and that there is not enough evidence for other uses, including female infertility. It should be avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and is not recommended for people with thyroid disorders. We did not find a controlled trial of ashwagandha tea in PCOS.
Ashwagandha shows up in everything from sleep supplements to PCOS teas, often with large promises attached. This guide sticks to what a public health agency says about it, and keeps the safety information up front, because that part is rarely given enough space.
What it is
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, called asgandh in Urdu) is an evergreen shrub that grows in parts of India, Africa and the Middle East. Its roots contain compounds called withanolides, which have been linked in laboratory research to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. You will often see it described as an “adaptogen”. That is a traditional and marketing term for herbs said to help the body cope with stress, rather than a recognised medical category.
What the evidence covers
| Use | What NCCIH says |
|---|---|
| Insomnia and stress | Some ashwagandha preparations may be effective |
| Anxiety | Evidence is unclear |
| Male infertility | Limited evidence that 2 to 4 months of use may increase testosterone and sperm quality |
| Other conditions, including female infertility, diabetes and menopause | Not enough evidence to say whether it helps |
| Quality of the research | Many studies have had small sample sizes and used a variety of ashwagandha preparations, so results are hard to compare |
And for PCOS?
We did not find a controlled trial of ashwagandha tea in women with PCOS. Its place in blends like ours rests mainly on traditional use and on research into stress, not on PCOS trial results. Stress and hormones are linked, but that link is not proof that ashwagandha treats a hormonal condition, and we do not claim it does.
Safety: who should be careful
NCCIH describes ashwagandha as generally well tolerated in the short term, but lists several important cautions:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and not used while breastfeeding.
Thyroid: it is not recommended for people with thyroid disorders and may interact with thyroid hormone medicines.
Liver: although rare, there have been cases linking liver injury to ashwagandha supplements.
Medicines: it may interact with medicines for diabetes and blood pressure, immunosuppressants, sedatives, anticonvulsants and thyroid hormone medicines.
Duration: short-term use of up to about 3 months appears safe, but there is not enough information on long-term safety.
Side effects: can include drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhoea and vomiting.
If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, breastfeeding, have a thyroid or liver condition, or take any regular medicine, speak to your doctor before drinking a tea that contains ashwagandha. Our PCOS Glow Tea is one of those, and the full list of people who should check first is in who should avoid PCOS Glow Tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
For many adults, short-term use appears safe, but NCCIH says it should be avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and is not recommended with thyroid disorders. Check with your doctor if you take any regular medicine.
We did not find a controlled trial of ashwagandha tea in PCOS. NCCIH says there is not enough evidence for female infertility, and its main possible uses are insomnia and stress.
NCCIH lists drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhoea and vomiting, and notes rare cases of liver injury linked to supplements.
NCCIH says ashwagandha is not recommended for people with thyroid disorders and may interact with thyroid hormone medicines. Talk to your doctor before using it.
Sources
More on how we choose and describe sources is on our Editorial Standards page, and our Ingredient Research and Sources page summarizes the herb studies. This article is general information, not medical advice.
Written by
I focus on organic living, digital strategy, and health education. Through my articles on Organzo, I share practical insights on herbal teas, PCOS wellness, and natural remedies to make healthy living simple for everyone.
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