A high-level international side event on Ashwagandha was held on the sidelines of the Second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The session was organised by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO GTMC), India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. It brought together global experts, regulators, researchers and policymakers to discuss the scientific, regulatory and safety landscape of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), a revered Rasayana herb in Ayurveda gaining international recognition for its adaptogenic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties.
Discussions focused on connecting traditional knowledge systems with contemporary scientific validation through rigorous preclinical and clinical research, safety assessment, pharmacovigilance and standardisation to support responsible global use. Presentations highlighted global benchmarks for identity, quality testing and therapeutic applications, regulatory perspectives, and the need for methodological rigor and robust evidence to inform regulatory decision-making.
An interactive panel addressed harmonisation of standards, reproducible efficacy and collaborative research to advance evidence-based Ashwagandha formulations, while ensuring traditional knowledge integrity.
The deliberations underscored the importance of sustained international cooperation to integrate Ashwagandha into conventional healthcare systems safely and scientifically, reflecting the broader objectives of WHO GTMC and the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit to advance evidence, safety and quality in traditional, complementary and integrative medicine.
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