---

The latest issue of the Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JDRAS), a research publication of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) carries an editorial criticising Denmark’s ban on Ashwagandha. 

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) decided to ban Ashwagandha based on a 2020 report by the Technology University of Denmark (DTU) which claims, among other things, that Ashwagandha can cause abortions in humans. The DVFA’s official website states: “Do not eat Ashwagandha or supplements containing Ashwagandha because its root has negative effects on sex hormones and reproduction for both men and women. In addition, the plant can affect the metabolism, the immune system, and the central nervous system.”

Addressing this, the guest editorial of JDRAS points out that the DTU report has several technical, scientific, and ethical pitfalls. 

“This report does not seem to be peer-reviewed, and the credentials of the authors, funding sources, and conflict of interests are not disclosed. The report refers to a few articles from predatory journals in its sketchy literature review and it draws conclusions from studies on whole plants, stems, leaves, and fruits/berries, clearly irrelevant to this case. The report also lacks systematic evidence synthesis to support the decision to ban Ashwagandha,” the editorial says. 

“The DTU report cites an ethnobotanical survey and preclinical animal studies to claim the abortifacient effects of Ashwagandha in humans. However, the ethnobotanical survey has been disproved by subsequent research which reported no evidence of maternal or fetal toxicity even from high doses of the Ashwagandha root extract. Despite numerous studies substantiating the feto-maternal safety of Ashwagandha roots, it is not known why the DTU report has cited poorly conducted studies. Claims regarding hormonal, reproductive, immunological, and neurological risks pointed out in the DTU report are similarly flawed,” the editorial says. 

“The American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook (BSH) has affirmed the reproductive safety of Ashwagandha in 2022. More than 500 scientific papers have been published on the safety and activity of Ashwagandha since the DTU report of 2020. This new body of evidence shows that the DTU report is redundant, irrational, and calls for an update,” the editorial points out. 

“The DTU report fails on scientific and ethical aspects. Regulatory agencies, especially in the food and drug domains, typically have stringent procedures for approving substances/products for health benefits. The DVFA should have followed a similar stringent procedure for banning Ashwagandha. However, this is not the case. Generally, the conclusions drawn by the DTU report are far from the truth, rather closer to deception,” it says. 

“The DVFA is a responsible regulatory agency from a progressive country such as Denmark. The DVFA decision could have cascading consequences, potentially extending beyond the ambit of science and regulation into geopolitics or economics. A prestigious institution such as DTU should have exercised greater caution in preparing this report, given its potential impact on public health. The DVFA should reconsider the ban in the light of the extensive scientific literature supporting the safety and efficacy of Ashwagandha roots,” the editorial concludes. 

---

Related Articles

Kerala Tourism holds road shows in Europe

Kerala receives award for ‘Best Honeymoon Destination’

Treating alcoholism

Sobha Hermitage Home Away from Home

Vaajeekarana for procreation

Alcohol The good and the bad