Ashwagandha in Australia Regulatory Status & Where to Buy

In Australia, Ashwagandha can be purchased as a dietary supplement without a prescription. Supplements that contain Ashwagandha have been approved for sale by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is responsible with regulating natural supplements that are purported to have medicinal value.

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is a small shrub that grows to between four and five feet high in dry areas of India, Africa and the Middle East. It is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine in India to promote longevity and vitality.

The roots and berries of this small bush have been used in traditional cultures to treat a wide range of conditions that include asthma, stress and anxiety, fibromyalgic, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The name “ashwagandha” translates as “smells of horse,” which refers to the fresh root’s aroma. This herb also has a number of regional names which include clustered winter cherry, Indian Ginseng and others.

Ashwagandha

Adaptogen

Stress

Mood

Sleep

How It Works:

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves concentration, fatigue & sleep
• Protects against oxidative stress

Dosage:

Between 300 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

Top Ashwagandha Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Is Ashwagandha Legal in Australia?

In Australia, supplements that are purported to have medicinal benefits or uses are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Ashwagandha is considered a “complementary medicine”, because it is a plant or herbal material with a clearly established identity and traditional use.

It is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), which means that it is considered a “lower risk medicine”, with less of a risk of side effects.

Despite this, Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera extract) is not widely sold in Australian health supplement stores. You will also not find this ingredient for sale on Amazon in Australia.

However, it is possible to buy it from a small number of online specialty stores or to import Ashwagandha pills from other countries for personal use. It is available from international and domestic sites that include eBay, Chemist Warehouse and XtremeHerbs.com.au.

Where to Buy Ashwagandha in Australia

While you may not be able to walk into a local pharmacy and purchase ashwagandha tablets or powder in Australia, you can buy this supplement in a number of forms online.

A number of websites offer different forms of this supplement for sale. You can buy ashwagandha tea in Australia, as well as capsules, liquid extracts, powder and dried root.

The website Herbosophy.com.au sells 600 mg capsules that contain 100% dried Withania Somnifera root for $24.50 AUD. The website happyherbcompany.com also sells an AphrodiTea blend that combines ashwagandha extract with Maca, Tribulus, Mucuna Pruriens, Ginkgo Biloba, Horny Goat Weed, Damiana, Muira Puama, Siberian Ginseng, Liquorice and Vanilla.

The website Australian Gardener offers ashwagandha in dried herbal form, as well as seeds for those who would like to grow their own plant at home.

Purported Benefits of Ashwagandha

Ashwgandha is commonly used as a general tonic. It is also used to battle physical and psychological stress.

In Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha is considered to be an adaptogen, said to promote homeostasis in the body. Adaptogens are believed to boost whole-body health in non-specific ways. Other purported uses of ashwangadha include:

• Improving cognitive function
• Decreasing inflammation
• Treating symptoms of arthritis, both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
• Correcting menstrual problems
• Fighting the effects of aging
• Treating hiccups
• As an aphrodisiac
• Shrinking tumors
• Treating asthma

Many of Ashwagandha traditional uses have not been thoroughly researched in human clinical trials. Research in many areas is still considered preliminary.

Research in rats indicates that ashwagandha has anticoagulant properties. In studies on people who have type 2 diabetes, daily use of ashwagandha reduced blood sugar.

Other studies have shown that ashwagandha can help to lower cortisol levels, boost thyroid function, support a positive mood and promote mental performance.

In one study, a combination herbal supplement that contained Ashwagandha extract was given to children with ADHD. Those given the supplement saw significant improvements in attention, cognition and impulse control compared to the placebo group. However, more studies are needed to determine the effects of giving Ashwagandha on its own to children with ADHD.

How to Take Ashwagandha

The right dose and method of taking ashwagandha depends on the intended effects. Ashwagandha can be taken in a liquid extract, as a tea or in capsule or tablet form. Recorded dosages of ashwagandha used in research studies include:

• As a general tonic and adaptogenic supplement, one to six grams of ashwagandha can be taken per day in capsule form. The herb can also be taken in milk in two three gram doses throughout the day.
• As an anti-aging supplement, one gram was administered three times per day with milk.
• The dried root can be boiled in water for 15 to 30 minutes at a dosage of one-part root in 10-parts water. Ashwagandha tea is then consumed in doses of one half to one ounce, taken twice per day.
• To promote growth in children, two grams are taken each day for a period of 60 days.
• As a diuretic, an unknown amount was taken for a period of thirty days.
• In a study on diabetes, an unknown amount was taken for a period of thirty days.

Ashwagandha Side Effects and Safety

Withania Somnifera is considered a low-risk complementary medicine in Australia, which means that regulators in Australia do not believe it poses a serious health risk.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, Ashwagandha extract is rated as Possibly Safe when used orally in appropriate dosages. In clinical tests, ashwagandha has been taken with no significant adverse effects.

In one report, a 32-year-old patient developed thyroid issues after taking ashwagandha to treat chronic fatigue. Her symptoms ceased when she stopped taking ashwagandha.

A number of user reviews contain anecdotal reports of adverse side effects. Several users reported that symptoms of anxiety and depression got worse. Some users reported joint pain. A number of users experienced sleep disturbances. A number also experienced gastrointestinal issues such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Cases of hemolytic anemia, which results in the breakdown of red blood cells, were reported after people ingested ashwagandha pills. However, the particular product used in this case was found to be of a very low quality and was contaminated with arsenic, lead, mercury and chromium.

Women who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant should not take ashwagandha as the herb may cause spontaneous abortion in some cases. It is not known whether ashwagandha passes into breast milk; for this reason, it is not recommended that women who are breastfeeding take ashwagandha.

This herb may interact with a number of medications. These include:

• Drugs for hypertension
• Drugs for diabetes
• Sedatives
• Barbiturates
• Immonosuppressant drugs
• Beozodiazepines such as xanax and valium
• Immunosuppressant drugs

Online reviews of ashwagandha supplements are largely positive. Users who gave favorable reviews mention benefits that include elevated mood, reduced stress and anxiety and increased energy. A handful of reviewers report a mildly intoxicating effect that was relaxing in nature.

Before buying Ashwagandha in Australia, consult with a doctor to decide whether this supplement is appropriate for you or not.

Rate This Article

(6 votes, average: 4.17 out of 5, rated)