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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ashwagandha

34 replies

sunshinewithrain · 13/07/2023 15:26

Posting in AIBU for traffic .....

Has anyone ever taken it?

I tried it in recommendation for mood and energy levels and I swear it's making me feel depressed, sluggish, major brain fog.....😫

I've googled it and it does appear some people have an adverse reaction but obviously wanted to see if the wealth of knowledge that it Mumsnet have any opinions on it! 🤣

My partner has tried it and thinks it's marvellous I might add, but I really feel it should come with a health warning!!!!
I've tried taking it twice..... once was in the morning, then I next took it a few days later at night, but still felt awful and sluggish most of the following day despite a good sleep.

Opinions? Experiences???

OP posts:
Vegetus · 13/07/2023 15:28

I take it every night. Seems to help my anxiety levels but could just be a placebo. No adverse reactions anyway.

OneTC · 13/07/2023 15:43

I have it frequently in tea and notice nothing particularly good or bad.

How much do you take?

Ihatepickingausername3 · 13/07/2023 15:48

I didn’t feel much of anything taking it. It made no difference to me

Glitterandunicorns · 13/07/2023 15:48

I take it every afternoon and feel it helps me with anxiety and stress.
How much do you take, and in what form?

whitemoonstone · 13/07/2023 17:44

I tried it and it made no difference to me at all.

MotherofTerriers · 13/07/2023 17:48

I take it and find it very helpful. But I take it regularly every day - I think it takes a while to "settle down" so one or two tablets aren't going to have a helpful impact I think

Delatron · 13/07/2023 17:54

I swear by it for anti-stress/anxiety especially at certain times of the month. I take it in the evening though. I don’t think morning is a good time. If it’s not working for you another good adaptogen that is calming is holy basil.

For energy I take Schisandra. In the morning.

It’s probably a case of trial and error and working out what works for you. For example I never get on with CBD oil - supposed to be relaxing and helps you sleep and it did the opposite for me!

LittleMissHappiness · 13/07/2023 18:14

It might be an idea to see a kinesiologist to test for how well you respond to it. I wasn't responsive to it for some reason so other adaptogens that my body did respond to were suggested instead. Basically one size doesn't fit all.

Sprinkles211 · 13/07/2023 21:47

I wasn't a fan didn't seem to do alot for me compared to 5htp.

EBearhug · 13/07/2023 21:51

I've had it in Pukka teabags, but it's only one of a number of ingredients, so probably quite dilute, and I only tend to have hot drinks in the depths of winter, and I don't particularly remember any effect.

So that's helpful. 😁

Awrite · 13/07/2023 21:56

I overheard two young fit chaps in the sauna talking about all their supplements. One young chap loved it, the other had the same response as you.

greenspaces4peace · 13/07/2023 22:03

My yogi dd recommended it as a sleep aid vs melatonin. Can’t really say it was noticeably helpful BUT magnesium has been a godsend. Fairly high dose as I’m senior and post menopause.

Awrite · 13/07/2023 22:09

Oh yes, I take magnesium every day. High dose too.

CostelloJones · 14/07/2023 20:43

I swear by it - it doesn’t make me sleepy personally.

after a a couple of weeks it significantly made a difference for anxiety/panic attacks

are you sure it’s the ashwagandha? Are you taking anything else/is it a supplement with something else? Only because I thought it was one of those things that needs a little time to build up in your system to feel a difference therapeutically

EmmaEmerald · 14/07/2023 20:44

I had the same response, stopped after three days.

EmmaEmerald · 14/07/2023 20:45

I mean, I stopped taking it. Very careful what I take now. I have spent a lot of money on herbal stuff.

Peacefully123 · 04/04/2025 16:27

hello!

has anyone had any extra menstrual bleeding while taking ashwaganda?

thanks!

Lemonvalley · 27/04/2025 16:13

Yes @Peacefully123 . I started taking ashwagandah about a week ago and two days ago started spotting and am now having a period flow. This despite having just finished my normal monthly period just a few days prior. I am blaming the ashwagandah

sunshinedaises · 27/04/2025 16:17

How long does it take to notice the effects? I’ve been taking it for 5 weeks but not noticed any difference

Secondguess · 27/04/2025 16:20

A&e doctors have reported seeing more cases of liver damage due to this supplement. One issue of course is that supplements aren't regulated like medicines, so you have to trust the quality, contamination levels etc of the product you're buying.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10002162/
In recent years, cases of liver damage caused by ashwagandha herbal supplements have been reported from different parts of the world (Japan, Iceland, India, and the USA). Here, we describe the clinical phenotype of suspected ashwagandha-induced liver injury and the potential causative mechanism. The patient was admitted to the hospital because of jaundice. In the interview, it was reported that he had been taking ashwagandha for a year.

Liver Dangers of Herbal Products: A Case Report of Ashwagandha-Induced Liver Injury - PMC

In recent years, cases of liver damage caused by ashwagandha herbal supplements have been reported from different parts of the world (Japan, Iceland, India, and the USA). Here, we describe the clinical phenotype of suspected ashwagandha-induced ...

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10002162/

Delatron · 27/04/2025 17:39

That’s a worry. I know you are supposed to have regular breaks when on it.

alittleprivacy · 27/04/2025 17:51

I take it in the evenings if I'm particularly stressed, like during an out of the ordinary type of stress where I can almost feel my high cortisol levels. Or if I have had the type of late night workout where I feel very hyped up in the last hours before bed.

I don't take it regularly as I absolutely get anhedonia (a general loss of joy and motivation) if I take it for more than a couple of weeks. However I take maca regularly and definitely feel ongoing benefits from it. It took away my 'long covid' after my first infection as it regulated my thyroid and I think it's great for my stage in life, which I assume is premenopausal.

Delatron · 27/04/2025 18:01

alittleprivacy · 27/04/2025 17:51

I take it in the evenings if I'm particularly stressed, like during an out of the ordinary type of stress where I can almost feel my high cortisol levels. Or if I have had the type of late night workout where I feel very hyped up in the last hours before bed.

I don't take it regularly as I absolutely get anhedonia (a general loss of joy and motivation) if I take it for more than a couple of weeks. However I take maca regularly and definitely feel ongoing benefits from it. It took away my 'long covid' after my first infection as it regulated my thyroid and I think it's great for my stage in life, which I assume is premenopausal.

Ooh this is interesting. Currently suffering from post-viral fatigue after Covid. How much maca do you take and at what time of day?

Dr13Hadley · 27/04/2025 18:09

I found it made no difference but I have adhd so my brain is wired differently; for example, I can drink coffee and then fall asleep so……..
Lion’s mane on the other hand has made a massive difference to my anxiety and brain fog.

Picklepower · 27/04/2025 18:15

I take it and it also helps with my anxiety and mood

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