FSSAI Latest Update on Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is called the king of herbs in Ayurveda and today it has become an essential part of the fitness industry. A major decision taken by the government has surprised both supplement companies and customers. Recently the use of its leaves has been banned.
The leaves of the Ashwagandha plant, often used to relieve stress and fatigue, have now been completely banned. This decision was not taken suddenly but serious scientific research and health concerns are involved behind it. Now only Ashwagandha roots will be allowed to be used in the products available in the market.
It has been found in many researches that Ashwagandha leaves contain elements called withanolides in large quantities. Especially the element called Vidiferin-A present in it can have a very negative effect on the body organs. According to experts, there is a possibility of serious damage to the liver due to excess of these elements. Apart from this, its side effects have also been seen in stomach problems and nervous system.
This is the reason why European countries like Poland and Hungary had already banned the use of these leaves. Consuming these leaves, which disturb the internal balance of the body, can also lead to uncontrolled thyroid levels. According to experts, the toxic elements present in the leaves can cause serious nerve diseases in the long run.
Even in Ayurvedic texts thousands of years old, the root of Ashwagandha has been described as safe and effective for internal consumption. According to the Ministry of AYUSH, traditionally the leaves were used only for skin application or external treatment. There is no solid scientific evidence or historical basis for consuming the leaves as food or supplements.
The root has been used for centuries and modern research also considers it completely safe when taken in the right amounts. The meaning of the word Ashwagandha is to the smell like horse sweat and taking it in the root form is said to bring similar strength to the body. That is why regulatory bodies have now allowed only root-based products.
In view of the increasing demand for Ashwagandha in the market, many companies were ignoring the rules to earn more profits. In fact, Ashwagandha leaves are about 100 times cheaper than its roots. To reduce their costs, companies were grinding the leaves along with the roots and mixing them into powder. This was a big mess with the health of the consumers because there was more risk of harm than benefit from its consumption. This trend especially increased when supplements became popular in the wellness industry.
After the implementation of the new rules, now every company making supplements will have to clearly write on their packets which part of the plant they have used. FSSAI has instructed the states to strictly monitor the products being sold in the market and legal action should be taken against the violating companies. This decision is beneficial for consumers because now companies will have to maintain transparency.
Experts say that this precautionary step will prove helpful in preventing major health problems in future. The government has made it clear that if any company is found using Ashwagandha leaves or their extracts, it will have to face heavy fines and punishment.
