Yes — for cortisol reduction, there is real human evidence, and it is stronger than for most plant-based substances.

Several randomized, placebo-controlled studies have measured serum cortisol as an endpoint. Chandrasekhar et al. (Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine 2012) found, in 64 subjects taking 300 mg of standardized root extract twice daily over 60 days, a cortisol reduction of around 28%. Salve et al. (Cureus 2019) and Lopresti et al. (Medicine, Baltimore 2019) arrived at comparable results. This picture was confirmed meta-analytically, among others, by Akhgarjand et al. (Phytotherapy Research 2022).

Limitations: The studies are small, short and work with differently standardized extracts; some are financed by parties close to manufacturers. The results are robust enough for a classification, but not for a guarantee of efficacy.

Decisive is the safety situation. Since September 2024, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has warned against ashwagandha preparations due to reports of liver damage. Children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and people with liver diseases should avoid it entirely. Effects on thyroid function are also being discussed. The BfR calls for the root to be included in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No. 1925/2006 — the list of substances whose use is prohibited, restricted or under review. An EU working group is seeking a legally binding regulation for twelve substances, ashwagandha among them.

What we don't claim: In the EU, there is no authorized health claim for ashwagandha. We therefore do not attribute any effect to the substance and do not advertise with the studies mentioned. This text classifies the state of research — it is not a product claim.

Anyone considering ashwagandha should be aware of the contraindications and clarify its use with a doctor in the case of existing conditions or medication.