For women navigating midlife and menopause, understanding the potential impact of supplements like ashwagandha during significant life stages, including potential pregnancies or while breastfeeding, is crucial. Making informed choices about what to put into your body requires careful consideration of available evidence.
This article aims to provide an evidence-based overview of ashwagandha’s safety profile during pregnancy and breastfeeding, drawing only from published research. We will explore what studies indicate, helping you approach this topic with clarity and caution.
Ashwagandha and Pregnancy: What the Research Says
The question of ashwagandha use during pregnancy is a common concern. While ashwagandha has garnered interest for various potential health benefits, its safety during gestation requires careful examination. Some traditional texts mention the use of certain Indian medicinal plants, including those that might contain compounds similar to ashwagandha, in relation to pregnancy, but modern scientific scrutiny is essential to confirm safety [1].
A prospective, randomized, comparative, open-label, 12-week study published in 2026 investigated the efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in pregnant women. It enrolled 70 women in their second trimester and gave 300 mg of root extract twice daily alongside standard hematinic therapy, against standard therapy alone; 63 completed. Haemoglobin rose slightly more in the ashwagandha arm (1.06 vs 0.78 g/dL, a between-group difference of 0.28 g/dL), perceived stress and several sleep measures improved, and no adverse events were recorded, with liver, kidney and thyroid markers unchanged [2]. Two limits matter before that is read as reassurance: the trial was open-label, so neither participants nor investigators were blinded, and it is a single study of 63 completers confined to the second trimester.
Additionally, preclinical studies in animal models offer insights into potential developmental effects. A 2025 study assessed the reproductive and developmental safety of Ashwagandha root extract in Wistar rats, contributing to our understanding of its biological impact during reproduction [3]. Another study from 2015 also evaluated the prenatal developmental toxicity of Withania somnifera root extract in Wistar rats [4]. These animal studies provide foundational data, though direct translation to human outcomes always requires caution.
Investigating Developmental Safety in Animal Models
Research in animal models is often a preliminary step in understanding the safety profile of substances during pregnancy. A 2025 study specifically focused on the reproductive and developmental safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in Wistar rats. This type of research helps identify any potential adverse effects on fetal development or reproductive health before human studies are conducted or more extensively reviewed [3].
Earlier research from 2015 also conducted a prenatal developmental toxicity evaluation of Withania somnifera root extract in Wistar rats. Such studies are designed to detect any signs of toxicity to the mother or developing offspring, including malformations, growth retardation, or behavioral changes [4]. The findings from these animal studies contribute to the overall picture of ashwagandha’s safety during critical developmental periods, although it’s important to remember that animal physiology can differ from human physiology.
Human Clinical Data on Ashwagandha and Pregnancy
While animal studies provide valuable preliminary data, human clinical trials offer the most direct evidence for safety and efficacy in people. A significant piece of evidence for ashwagandha’s use during pregnancy comes from a 2026 prospective, randomized, comparative, open-label, 12-week study. This research specifically examined the efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract when administered to pregnant women [2].
One open-label trial in 63 women does not establish that ashwagandha is safe in pregnancy. It reports no harm over twelve weeks on the markers it measured, which is not the same finding as an absence of risk, and it says nothing about the first trimester or about birth outcomes. A 2026 systematic review examined the specific concern that has long attached to this herb, its reputed teratogenic and abortifacient potential, and concluded that the evidence for either remains inconclusive: animal toxicology showed high tolerability at human-relevant doses, but the historical ethnobotanical reports underlying the warnings suffer from citation distortion and a lack of primary-source validation, and the World Health Organization and other regulators have raised concerns on that basis [5]. ‘Unresolved’ is the accurate word here, and it cuts both ways: the literature does not establish that ashwagandha is dangerous in pregnancy, and it does not establish that it is safe.
Ashwagandha and Breastfeeding: What is Known?
Information regarding ashwagandha’s safety during breastfeeding is another important consideration for new mothers. Substances consumed by a breastfeeding parent can potentially transfer to breast milk and, subsequently, to the infant. Therefore, understanding the excretion and effects of ashwagandha compounds in breast milk is paramount.
While some general reviews of ashwagandha supplements discuss its use, no published study has measured whether ashwagandha’s compounds pass into human breast milk, or what they would do to a nursing infant if they did. A PubMed search pairing the herb with breast milk, lactation or breastfeeding returns a small number of records, and every one of them is a narrative review, an animal study or an unrelated agricultural paper. This is a genuine blank in the literature rather than a mixed or reassuring result. The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics from 2021 provides a general overview of ashwagandha supplements, but may not delve into specific breastfeeding safety in detail [6].
Without explicit studies detailing its safety during lactation, caution is generally advised. The absence of specific evidence confirming safety for breastfeeding does not automatically imply risk, but it does highlight a gap in comprehensive data that would support its routine use during this period.
General Safety Considerations and Medical Guidance
Beyond pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s worth noting that ashwagandha is generally considered to have a favorable safety profile in the broader population when used appropriately. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2018, while focusing on male infertility, did not raise significant general safety concerns within its scope [7]. However, specific populations, such as pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, require distinct and more rigorous safety evaluations.
The use of any herbal supplement during pregnancy or breastfeeding should always be a decision made in consultation with a healthcare provider. They can offer personalized advice based on your individual health profile, the specific ashwagandha product you are considering, and the most current scientific understanding.
References
- Potential therapeutic use of Indian medicinal plants for preeclampsia management. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2025
- Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in pregnant women: a prospective, randomized, comparative, open-label, 12-week study. Frontiers in global women’s health, 2026
- Reproductive and developmental safety assessment of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in Wistar rats. Frontiers in pharmacology, 2025
- Prenatal developmental toxicity evaluation of Withania somnifera root extract in Wistar rats. Drug and chemical toxicology, 2015
- A Systematic and Ethnobotanical Review of Ashwagandha’s (Withania somnifera) Teratogenic and Abortifacient Potentials. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 2026
- Ashwagandha supplements. The Medical letter on drugs and therapeutics, 2021
- Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 2018
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice; consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
