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Ashwagandha's Global Rise: How WHO Experts Are Shaping Its Future

Ashwagandha was the star of a major side event at the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit. Leading international experts gathered to discuss how to bridge ancient Ayurvedic knowledge with modern science. They stressed the critical need for strong clinical evidence and clear safety standards for global use. The talks concluded with a shared goal of responsibly integrating this powerful herb into mainstream healthcare worldwide.

Key Points: WHO Summit Charts Ashwagandha's Future with Global Experts

  • Global experts emphasized rigorous clinical research and safety assessments for Ashwagandha
  • Discussions focused on harmonizing international standards for quality and efficacy
  • The session highlighted balancing traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific validation
  • Panel called for sustained cooperation to integrate Ashwagandha into conventional healthcare
2 min read

Global experts chart Ashwagandha's future at WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit

Global experts at the WHO summit discuss scientific validation, safety, and regulatory pathways for Ashwagandha's integration into modern healthcare systems.

"The need for methodological rigour and robust evidence to inform regulatory decision-making. - Dr Ikhlas Khan"

New Delhi, December 17

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), one of Ayurveda's most revered Rasayana herbs, took centrestage at a high-level international side event held on the sidelines of the 2nd WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, 2025, reaffirming India's leadership in advancing traditional medicine through evidence-based global dialogue.

The session, titled 'Ashwagandha: From Traditional Wisdom to Global Impact - Perspectives from Leading Global Experts,' was organised by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO-GTMC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush at Bharat Mandapam here.

It brought together eminent global experts, regulators, researchers and policymakers to deliberate on the evolving scientific, regulatory and safety landscape surrounding Ashwagandha.

With Ashwagandha gaining growing international recognition for its adaptogenic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties, the discussions focused on strengthening the bridge between traditional knowledge systems and contemporary scientific validation. Experts underscored the importance of rigorous preclinical and clinical research, safety assessment, pharmacovigilance and standardisation to support its responsible global use, a release said.

Moderated by Dr JB Gupta, Secretary, World Ashwagandha Council, the session featured keynote presentations by leading international authorities.

Dr Roy Upton of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia highlighted global benchmarks for identity, quality testing and therapeutic applications. Mari Lyyra, Head of Food and Feed at Medfiles Ltd, Finland, shared perspectives on Europe's regulatory environment and the growing acceptance of Ashwagandha.

Dr Ikhlas Khan, Director of the National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, emphasised the need for methodological rigour and robust evidence to inform regulatory decision-making. Dr Geetha Krishnan of WHO-GTMC addressed the balance between promise and precaution in the global adoption of Ashwagandha.

An interactive panel discussion enabled candid exchanges among experts on harmonising standards, ensuring reproducible efficacy and fostering collaborative research to advance evidence-based Ashwagandha formulations. The session concluded with a shared consensus on the need for sustained international cooperation to position Ashwagandha within conventional healthcare frameworks while preserving the integrity of traditional wisdom.

The deliberations reflected a growing global commitment to integrating traditional medicine into contemporary health systems in a safe, scientific and sustainable manner, in line with the broader objectives of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit.

The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit provides a global platform for dialogue, cooperation and policy alignment on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, with a strong emphasis on evidence, safety and quality, the release said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Excellent initiative by the Ministry of Ayush. Standardisation and rigorous clinical trials are the key. We must ensure the quality of Ashwagandha products in the market matches the standards discussed at such global forums. Too many sub-standard brands out there.
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David E
As someone who has incorporated Ashwagandha into my wellness routine after moving to India, I'm glad to see this dialogue. The focus on evidence-based research is crucial for global acceptance. Hope this leads to clearer guidelines worldwide.
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Ananya R
While this is a positive step, I hope the "preserving the integrity of traditional wisdom" part isn't lost. Sometimes, in the quest for scientific validation, the holistic principles of Ayurveda get reduced to just isolating active compounds. The system is more than that.
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Karthik V
Great to see Finland and US experts involved. Global harmonisation of standards will boost exports and create huge economic opportunities for Indian farmers and manufacturers. This is a smart soft power move.
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Sarah B
The point about "balance between promise and precaution" by Dr. Krishnan is so important. Natural doesn't always mean safe for everyone. Proper dosage and awareness of interactions with modern medicine is needed. More power to such balanced discussions.

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