Is ashwagandha safe in South Africa?
Ashwagandha is not risk-free. Most users tolerate it, but rare cases of liver injury are documented, and Denmark banned it in food supplements in 2023. Avoid it in pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver or thyroid disease and with sedatives. In South Africa it is sold unregistered, so extract strength varies by brand. Stop and see a doctor if you develop jaundice, itching or dark urine.
- Björnsson et al. 2020 described five ashwagandha liver-injury cases: onset 2 to 12 weeks, recovery in 1 to 5 months, no liver failure.
- Denmark banned ashwagandha in food supplements in 2023, and the Netherlands' RIVM advised against use in 2024.
- Trials commonly use 300 to 600 mg a day of standardised root extract for 8 to 12 weeks.
- As of October 2026, South African ashwagandha capsules cost about R5 to R13 per serving, and only two of five brands we checked state withanolide content.
What is the evidence on safety?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herbal root extract studied for stress, sleep and anxiety, usually at about 300 to 600 mg a day of standardised root extract for 8 to 12 weeks. The trials are mostly small, short and often industry-funded, so evidence is emerging, not strong.
The main safety signal is drug-induced liver injury. A 2020 case series from Iceland and the US DILIN network described five cases: onset 2 to 12 weeks after starting, a cholestatic or mixed pattern, and recovery over 1 to 5 months with no liver failure. A separate case series from India, with a literature review, reported further cases. Ashwagandha may also affect thyroid hormones.
What have regulators done?
| Country or body | Action |
|---|---|
| Denmark | Banned it in food supplements (2023) |
| Netherlands (RIVM) | Advised against use (2024) |
| UK Food Standards Agency | Ran a call for evidence |
| EU | Review under consideration in 2026 |
| India | Banned leaf use in April 2026, followed by court stays |
We found no South African ban or SAHPRA action on ashwagandha as of October 2026. Regulation here is in transition: SAHPRA classifies such products as Category D complementary medicines, but as of August 2026 no complementary medicines had been registered, and unregistered products must carry a statement that SAHPRA has not evaluated them (how supplements are regulated).
Who should avoid it?
Do not use it, or speak to your doctor first, if you are:
- pregnant or breastfeeding
- living with liver disease or a history of liver injury
- being treated for a thyroid disorder or autoimmune disease
- taking sedatives or benzodiazepines, or immunosuppressants
- due for surgery
- under 18
Stop and seek medical care if you develop yellow eyes or skin, itching, dark urine or abdominal pain.
What does the South African shelf look like?
Labels vary widely, so capsule counts are not like-for-like. As of October 2026 at Faithful to Nature:
- Incredible Living KSM-66 states 500 mg of root extract at 5% withanolides (R395 for 30, R13.17 a day).
- Sfera Ashwagandha states 500 mg at not less than 7% withanolides (R311 for 60, about R10.37 per two-capsule serving).
- Soaring Free lists 500 mg of Withania somnifera without stating extract type or withanolide content (R5.32 per serving at the special price).
- PrimeSelf lists "600mg" without explaining whether this is extract or capsule weight.
Only Incredible Living and Sfera state their standardisation, which is the minimum disclosure you should expect.
Does ashwagandha suit athletes?
The AIS does not list it in Group A, and SAIDS flags herbal and "testosterone" products as higher risk. Herbal blends carry contamination risk, and drug-tested athletes remain strictly liable (see supplements and liver injury risk). Natural does not mean safe. If you want to try ashwagandha, choose a disclosed single-extract product, start short-term, and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Read also what SAHPRA Category D means.
Products mentioned, with dated prices
| Product | Size | Price | Servings | R per serving | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soaring Free Potent Plants Ashwagandha 90 capsules | 90 capsules | R239.20-R299 (special vs regular)Faithful to Nature, Oct 2026 | 45 | R5.32 | not stated |
| Sfera Bio Nutrition Sfera Ashwagandha 60 capsules | 60 capsules | R311Faithful to Nature, Oct 2026 | 30 | R10.37 | not stated |
| Incredible Living Ashwagandha KSM-66 30 capsules | 30 capsules | R395Faithful to Nature, Oct 2026 | 30 | R13.17 | not stated |
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Related questions
- Which supplements are linked to liver injury?
- Are supplements regulated in South Africa?
- What is SAHPRA Category D?
- Which supplements are not safe during pregnancy in South Africa?
- Which supplements actually work and which are a waste of money?
Sources
- Björnsson et al. 2020, Ashwagandha-induced liver injury: case series from Iceland and the US DILIN (Liver International 40:825)
- Ashwagandha-induced liver injury: a case series from India and literature review (PubMed)
- NutraIngredients (Jul 2026): Timeline, will authorities de-throne the king of herbs? (ashwagandha regulatory actions)
- Spotlight (14 Aug 2026): Inside the Box with Dr Andy Gray, are complementary medicines effectively regulated in South Africa?
- Australian Institute of Sport Supplement Framework, Group A
Educational information only, not medical advice. Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or registered dietitian before using supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, taking medication, or living with kidney, liver or heart disease.
Cite this page: Healthnews24, “Is ashwagandha safe in South Africa?”, updated 27 October 2026, https://www.healthnews24.co.za/answers/is-ashwagandha-safe-south-africa/. Plain-text version: /answers/is-ashwagandha-safe-south-africa.md