SynthesisPhytotherapy research : PTR2026
A Systematic and Ethnobotanical Review of Ashwagandha's ( Withania Somnifera ) Teratogenic and Abortifacient Potentials.
Synthesis in Phytotherapy research : PTR, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- A Systematic and Ethnobotanical Review of Ashwagandha's ( Withania Somnifera ) Teratogenic and Abortifacient Potentials.Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2026Pooled it
- Is Ashwagandha an Abortifacient?Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2026Article
- Back to the Roots: Safety and Tolerability of Standardised Ashwagandha (Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, commonly known as ashwagandha, has been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for its adaptogenic properties and therapeutic potential and has been investigated for its benefits related to sleep and stress management by Western medicine. However, concerns regarding its teratogenic and abortifacient effects have emerged following reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and regulatory bodies. This systematic and ethnobotanical review critically evaluates these claims by assessing ashwagandha's toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics, and available safety data. A comprehensive literature review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted to identify studies on its reproductive toxicity, molecular interactions, and traditional usage. Historical ethnobotanical reports suggest potential abortifacient effects, but citation distortion and lack of primary source validation raise concerns regarding the validity of such claims. Toxicological studies in animal models demonstrate high tolerability, with no significant reproductive toxicity observed at doses relevant to human consumption. Human clinical studies also show no adverse effects on thyroid function, hormonal balance, or reproductive health. Altogether, evidence supporting significant teratogenic or abortifacient activity remains inconclusive. This review highlights the need for standardized, high-quality research addressing fertility and developmental outcomes in controlled conditions. Given the widespread use of ashwagandha as a dietary supplement ingredient and traditional medicine, a balanced and evidence-based approach is required to assess its safety, ensuring that regulatory actions are informed by robust scientific data rather than historical speculation.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.