Pregnancy is full of questions, and when I was expecting, one that popped up was whether Ashwagandha—my go-to for stress relief—was safe to keep using. The idea of easing morning sickness or fatigue with a natural herb sounded appealing, but I knew better than to guess. I turned to expert opinions and recent research from 2023 to 2025, digging into sources like WebMD, Healthline, PubMed, and even a fresh 2025 safety review. The verdict? It’s complicated—most experts advise caution or avoidance due to limited data, though some challenge the risks. Here’s what I learned to help you navigate this if you’re pregnant or planning to be.
What Is Ashwagandha, and Why the Concern?
Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is an adaptogenic herb used for over 3,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine to manage stress and boost vitality, per Wikipedia. It works by lowering cortisol and promoting balance, which is why it’s popular for anxiety and sleep. But during pregnancy, the stakes are higher—any supplement could affect the baby. Healthline and WebMD stress that there’s not enough research on its safety in pregnant women, leading to warnings against use.
The Main Expert Advice: Avoid It for Safety
Most health authorities say no to Ashwagandha during pregnancy. WebMD states it’s “likely unsafe” when pregnant, citing potential risks like miscarriage or premature birth based on animal studies and traditional concerns. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) echoes this, recommending avoidance during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient human data.
A 2025 NIH fact sheet notes small studies show benefits for stress but highlights the lack of pregnancy-specific trials, urging caution. Consensus from expert reviews, like a 2024 PubMed analysis, strongly advises against it, pointing to possible harm to the fetus from hormone-modulating effects. For me, this was enough to pause—better safe than sorry when a little one’s involved.
Emerging Views: Challenging the Risks
Not everyone agrees it’s a hard no. A 2025 systematic review in NutraIngredients-USA challenged long-standing pregnancy risk claims, highlighting gaps in reproductive toxicity data. Experts like Dr. Mark Tallon argue that fears stem from misquoted 2009 WHO concerns about withanolides (Ashwagandha’s active compounds) potentially tightening blood vessels or affecting hormones. The review calls for more evidence-based regulation, noting no strong proof of abortifacient effects.
The American Herbal Products Association (AHP) in their 2022 Botanical Safety Handbook (updated 2025) categorizes Ashwagandha as Class 1—safe when used appropriately, with no evidence of miscarriage risk based on literature reviews and expert consensus. Herbal Doula’s 2025 guide agrees, saying critical reviews show it’s safe without abortifacient effects, though caution is always wise.
Even so, these views emphasize the need for more human studies—animal data isn’t definitive, and individual responses vary.
Potential Risks: Why Experts Are Cautious
The concerns boil down to a few key areas. A 2023 PubMed study suggested Ashwagandha might influence thyroid function or uterine contractions, potentially leading to complications. Healthline warns of inconsistent supplement quality, as the FDA doesn’t regulate herbs strictly, which could mean varying potency.
For breastfeeding, experts like NCCIH say skip it too, due to unknown transfer to milk. If you’re trying to conceive, some studies show fertility benefits for men, but for women, the data is mixed—stick to preconception use only.
My Experience: What I Did Instead
When I was pregnant, I stopped Ashwagandha after reading WebMD’s warning and chatting with my doctor. She agreed—limited evidence meant it wasn’t worth the risk. Instead, I leaned on prenatal-safe options like ginger tea for nausea and light walks for stress. Postpartum, I waited until breastfeeding ended before restarting, and it felt right. If you’re in the same boat, always loop in your OB-GYN—they know your health best.
Tips If You’re Considering It
If experts’ mixed signals leave you unsure:
- Talk to Your Doctor: Share your full health history; they can weigh personal risks.
- Start Nowhere: Most say avoid entirely during pregnancy—err on caution.
- Quality Matters: If resuming later, choose tested supplements, but not now.
- Alternatives Abound: Prenatal vitamins, yoga, or chamomile tea can help with stress safely.
The Bottom Line: Play It Safe
Experts largely say no to Ashwagandha during pregnancy—WebMD and NCCIH call it unsafe due to miscarriage risks and data gaps, while a 2025 review questions overblown fears but still urges more research. For me, the consensus was clear: pause until after. Pregnancy’s too precious for “maybe.” If you’re expecting, prioritize what’s proven safe and chat with your healthcare team. Here’s to healthy, stress-free journeys—for you and your little one.