Where to Buy Ashwagandha in the UK – Is it Restricted?

The legal status of Ashwagandha in the UK has recently changed. This may be why it is difficult to find Ashwagandha supplements for sale in local stores in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

For thousands of years, ashwagandha root and berry were used in India’s traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwaganda is used to support health, energy levels, fertility and to boost levels of growth hormones.

As a traditional remedy, this herbal extract was used to support the body’s ability to resist physiological and psychological stress. It has been used as a natural remedy for fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Ashwagandha comes from a small evergreen shrub that is found in dry areas throughout India, in parts of Africa and in the Middle East. It is also known as Amangura, Asan, Indian ginseng, Clustered Wintercherry and by several other regional names.

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* ❯

Where to Buy Ashwagandha in the UK?

Ashwagandha is one of hundreds of herbal supplements whose sale was limited in the UK as of May 1, 2011. Under current law, these herbal supplements can only be sold by prescription or if registered by a licensed herbal practitioner.

Registration of an herbal supplement can cost between £80,000 and £120,000. Because of this, sales of ashwagandha in brick and mortar locations within the UK is effectively banned.

However, people can still find ashwagahnda for sale on the internet. You can buy ashwagandha online in the UK at retailers that include Amazon.co.uk.

Some of the brands of Ashwagandha for sale in the UK includes the following products:

• Organic India Aswagandha Capsules
• True Veda Organic Ashwagandha Veggie Capsules
• Simply Pure Organic Ashwgandha – This supplement provides 500 milligrams per serving
• Sevenhills Wholefoods Organic Ashwagandha Powder – This ashwagandha powder is available in 100 gram, 250 g and 500 g packages
• Swansom Ashwagandha 450 mg
• Solgar Ashwagandha Root Extract Vegetable Capsules
• Planetary Herbals Full Spectrum Ashwagandha – This supplement provides 570 mg per tablet
• Nature’s Answer Ashwaganda Alcohol Free – This supplement comes in liquid form in a 2 ounce bottle

This is not a complete accounting of Ashwagandha supplements offered for sale in the UK, but merely a representative list of the types of supplement formulations available.

Common Uses of Ashwagandha

In the UK and elsewhere, Ashwagandha is used as a general tonic to normalize and revitalize bodily function. It is considered an adaptogenic herb.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, other uses of ashwagandha include:

• Improving cognitive function
• As an aphrodisiac
• Decreasing inflammation
• Treating symptoms of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
• Correcting menstrual disorders
• Treating pain from fibromyalgia
• Preventing the effects of aging
• Treating infertility in men and women
• Treating hiccups
• Treating asthma

Many of the traditional uses of ashwagandha extract have not been validated by human research studies. According to the Natural Medicines Database, there is insufficient reliable evidence to rate the medicinal use of ashwagandha.

The berries of this plant are also used as a vegetarian alternative to coagulate milk to make cheese.

How to Use Ashwagandha Extracts

You can purchased ashwagandha extract in the UK in capsule or tablet form. You can also buy whole powdered, tea and liquid extract forms.

As a general tonic, one to six grams of the whole herb can be taken daily in a capsule. The herb is also given in two three gram doses of powder boiled in warm milk.

Other sources recommend preparing the supplement in a tea form. This is brewed by boiling or simmering one part ashwagandha root in 10 parts water for 15 to 30 minutes. The resulting liquid is taken in half to one ounce doses twice daily.

For diabetes, ashwagandha has been used in tests for thirty days. The dosage is unknown.

As a diuretic, powdered root has been taken for thirty days at an unknown dose.

As an antiaging supplement, powdered ashwagandha root has been used in .5 gram tablets, taken two tablets at a time, three times per day with milk.

In children, ashwagandha has been used to promote growth at a dose of two grams per day for a total of 60 days.

Ashwagandha Adverse Effects

Ashwagandha is rated as Possibly Safe by the Natural Medicines Database, when used orally for short periods of time. It has been used safely for up to 12 weeks at a time.

No severe adverse effects have been seen when using ashwagandha during clinical tests, even when taking high doses over long periods of time.

Ashwagandha may interact with a number of prescription medications. Because of this, people should be cautious when taking ashwagandha with the following:

• Drugs for hypertension
• Drugs for diabetes
• Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Ativan and Versed
• Sedatives and barbiturates. It is possible that ashwagandha may increase the effects of these drugs since ashwagandha also has a sedative effect
• Immonsuppressant drugs
• Thyroid medications
• Additionally, ashwagandha, may interact with herbs and natural supplements that have hypotensive or sedative effects

Ashwagandha is contraindicated during pregnancy, because the herb can have abortifacent effects. Its effects during breastfeeding are unknown, so it is not recommended that women who are breastfeeding take this supplement.

Ashwagandha Reviews in the UK

Ashwagandha reviews by UK residents are largely positive. The top-selling ashwagandha supplement on Amazon.co.uk has 191 reviews, 172 of which are five-star reviews.

Among verified purchase reviewers, opinions on the positive effects of ashwagandha include alleviation of depression and anxiety, stress relief and increased energy.

Some reviewers report taking ashwagandha in conjunction with other supplements, such as magnesium and rhodiola rosea.

Negative reviewers state that the supplement made symptoms of anxiety and depression worse. Several reviewers note that they were offered discounts on future purchases in exchange for five-star reviews of the product.

Some negative reviews mention side effects that include vomiting, sleep disruptions, diarrhea, aching joints and upset stomach. One reviewer reported that the supplement was, for them, ineffective.

If you live in the UK and want to buy an Ashwagandha supplement, first consult with a doctor to determine whether this product is appropriate for you. You can visit a registered herbalist to learn more about Ashwagandha and other ayurvedic herbs.

Rate This Article

(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5, rated)