Ashwagandha: When to Take It & How to Track It

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub used in Ayurvedic medicine, and its root extracts are sold for stress, anxiety and sleep. Some small studies suggest certain extracts may help with stress and sleep, but the evidence on anxiety is unclear, many studies are short, and products differ widely. Ashwagandha appears to be tolerated for up to about 3 months, but its long-term safety is not known, and rare cases of liver injury have been reported. It can also affect the thyroid. If you and your doctor decide to try it, tracking each dose and any side effects gives you an honest record.

When to take Ashwagandha: general timing information

• Ashwagandha may be safe short term (up to about 3 months), but long-term safety has not been established. [1]

• It might interact with thyroid hormone medicines, sedatives, immunosuppressants, anti-seizure medicines, and diabetes and blood pressure medicines. Ask a pharmacist before combining them. [1]

• It is not recommended for people with thyroid disorders, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or before surgery. [1]

• Rare cases of liver injury have been linked to ashwagandha. Stop and contact a clinician if you notice dark urine, yellow skin or nausea. [2]

• Possible side effects include drowsiness, stomach upset and diarrhea, which is worth knowing if you take it near bedtime or with other sedating medicines. [1]

How to set a Ashwagandha reminder in Pillzy

1. 1

   Tap + in Pillzy and add the exact ashwagandha product and extract named on the label.

2. 2

   Choose the frequency on the label and set a time.

3. 3

   Add a note with the date you started, since safety data mostly cover a few months of use.

4. 4

   Use the notes on each dose to log sleepiness, stomach upset or anything unusual.

5. 5

   Review your history with your doctor, especially if you take thyroid medicine.