If a friend sent you a news article this week with the words "ashwagandha" and "ban" in the headline, your first thought was probably about the supplement on your shelf. That's a fair instinct, and you deserve a clear answer.

India's Ashwagandha Ban Explained: Why The Menopause Co's Root-Only Formulas Are Unaffected

India's Food Safety and Standards Authority has restricted ashwagandha leaf in supplements. The root, which has thousands of years of Ayurvedic use behind it, stays fully permitted. Both of The Menopause Co's blends that contain ashwagandha use root extract only, so nothing about your supplement changes.

Here's what actually happened in India, what it means for ashwagandha as an ingredient, and why your blends from The Menopause Co are unaffected.

What India's FSSAI Actually Restricted About Ashwagandha

On 16 April 2026, India's Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) issued an advisory restricting the use of ashwagandha leaves in any form, whether crude, as an extract, or anything else, in food and supplement products. It followed a directive from India's Ministry of Ayush, the government department overseeing traditional medicine, telling manufacturers to use root only and to clearly identify plant parts on product labels.

The decision draws on a 2024 safety dossier on ashwagandha and research flagging higher concentrations of a compound called withaferin A in the leaf. India produces and exports most of the world's ashwagandha, so a decision made there shapes the raw material entering supplements everywhere.

The line being drawn isn't subtle. The leaf and the root are different parts of the plant, with different chemical profiles. The regulator has made clear that only one of them belongs in a supplement, and it's the one with the longest, best-documented track record.

Why Ashwagandha Leaf Was Flagged, And What It Means for Your Supplements

The compound at the centre of the concern is withaferin A. It's present in both root and leaf, but the leaf contains much more of it.

Where adverse reports have surfaced around ashwagandha in recent years, particularly in parts of Europe, they've involved leaf material, whole-plant extracts, or products where the plant part wasn't disclosed at all. Verified root-only preparations don't show the same pattern. Several European countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, and Sweden, have already restricted or warned on ashwagandha, and the UK is reviewing it now.

It's worth noting that not everyone in the industry agrees with India's decision. Some researchers argue that the leaf has a clean clinical safety record at supplement-level doses, and that setting limits on withaferin A would have been more proportionate than a blanket restriction. That debate is ongoing.

Regulators have responded to enough uncertainty that they've drawn a precautionary line, and that line happens to match traditional Ayurvedic practice exactly. The root has always been the part used therapeutically. The leaf was a more recent commercial input, cheaper and easier to source, and not what the tradition was built on.

	Ashwagandha Root	Ashwagandha Leaf
Withaferin A level	Low	High
Traditional use	3,000+ years (Ayurveda)	Limited
FSSAI status (2026)	Permitted	Restricted
Clinical evidence base	Extensive	Limited
Used in TMC blends	Yes (Libido & Energy)	No

Why Ashwagandha Root Extract Is Still Safe and Recommended

Ashwagandha root has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for more than 3,000 years. It's one of the most documented botanical traditions in the world, and it's been studied extensively in modern clinical trials, with hundreds of studies covering thousands of participants.

The 2024 safety dossier that prompted the FSSAI advisory specifically recommends root use for health benefit. Recent research from ingredient manufacturer Kerry found their standardised ashwagandha extract safe at up to 4,000 mg per kg per day in a 90-day animal trial, roughly 19 times the standard human dose. That was for an extract containing both root and leaf; root alone has an even wider margin of evidence behind it.

Regulators that have looked closely at the ingredient, including Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration, permit ashwagandha root extract in listed complementary medicines. India's advisory now joins them in explicitly endorsing root use.

When you separate the conversation by plant part, the picture clears up quickly. The root is where the tradition lives, where the modern evidence sits, and where regulators are comfortable.

Why the Root vs Leaf Distinction Matters for Women Navigating Menopause

Ashwagandha is one of the original adaptogens for menopause, a category of plants traditionally used to help the body cope with stress. For women navigating menopause, that's relevant, because stress, fatigue, disrupted sleep, and changes in libido are some of the most commonly reported experiences during the transition.

Ashwagandha root is associated, both traditionally and in modern research, with:

• Stress resilience and a calmer nervous system
• Reduced tiredness and improved energy
• Hormonal support
• Libido and sexual wellbeing

None of which is to say that any single ingredient is a complete answer. Ashwagandha is part of a wider toolkit.

For stress, regular movement, even a short daily walk, and protecting your wind-down time before bed can make a real difference. For energy, hydration, balanced meals through the day, and sleep quality matter more than most people realise. For intimacy, open conversation with a partner, water-based lubricants if dryness is part of the picture, and pelvic floor exercises all support comfort and connection.

Supplements work best when they sit alongside the basics, not in place of them.

How The Menopause Co Uses Ashwagandha (Root, Always)

Two of our blends contain ashwagandha, and both use root extract exclusively.

Libido contains 150 mg of ashwagandha root extract (10:1), alongside shatavari root, Korean ginseng, tribulus, and supporting nutrients. It's formulated for women experiencing changes in desire, arousal, or comfort during intimacy, common experiences during menopause, and nothing to feel embarrassed about. You can read more about how menopause affects libido and desire in our dedicated guide.

Energy contains 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract (10:1), alongside Siberian ginseng, guarana, CoQ10, and a B-vitamin complex. It's formulated for sustained vitality, for when fatigue has started to feel like a daily companion rather than an occasional visitor. Worth noting: Energy contains guarana, which is a natural source of caffeine, so most women take it in the morning, particularly if they're also taking our Sleep blend at night. If low energy is something you're navigating, this blend may help.

We chose root extract not because regulators told us to. We chose it because that's where the tradition, the evidence, and the safety record live. The Indian advisory doesn't change anything about our formulas, it confirms the choice we'd already made.

What India's Ashwagandha Advisory Means for Your Supplements

If you're already taking Libido or Energy, nothing changes. Same formula, same root extract, same sourcing standards.

If you're considering them, this is a good moment to know exactly what you're buying. Whatever supplement you take, from us or anyone else, it's reasonable to expect the label to specify the plant part. "Ashwagandha root extract" tells you something. "Ashwagandha extract" on its own leaves a question worth asking the manufacturer.

We do this work so reading the news doesn't have to be part of your menopause routine. If anything in this article raises a question we haven't answered, our team is contactable directly, and we'd rather hear from you than wonder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has ashwagandha been banned?

No. India's FSSAI has restricted ashwagandha leaves and leaf extracts in supplements. Ashwagandha root and root-based extracts remain fully permitted, and the root is the part with thousands of years of traditional use behind it.

Why was the leaf restricted?

Ashwagandha leaves contain higher concentrations of a compound called withaferin A. Regulators flagged possible safety concerns at elevated levels, particularly around the liver. The root contains far less of this compound and has a much longer track record of safe use.

Does this affect any of The Menopause Co's products?

No. Our Libido and Energy blends both use ashwagandha root extract only. The Indian advisory has no impact on our formulas, our sourcing, or our standards.

Which of The Menopause Co's blends contain ashwagandha?

Two. Libido contains 150 mg of ashwagandha root extract (10:1), and Energy contains 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract (10:1). Both have used root from day one.

Is ashwagandha root extract safe?

Ashwagandha root has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 3,000 years and is supported by hundreds of clinical studies. You can read more about ashwagandha's role in menopause support in our full ingredient guide. It's permitted by regulators including Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration and, now explicitly, India's FSSAI. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or managing a health condition, speak with your healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.

How can I tell if a supplement uses root or leaf?

Check the label. A reputable supplement will specify the plant part, usually as "ashwagandha root extract" or "Withania somnifera root extract." If the label only says "ashwagandha extract" without further detail, it's worth contacting the manufacturer to ask.

Should I stop taking my supplements from The Menopause Co?

No. The advisory doesn't change anything about our formulas. As with any supplement, if you have specific health concerns or are starting new medication, please speak with your healthcare professional.

Explore our root-based blends: Libido and Energy. New to The Menopause Co? Foundation is the recommended starting point for women looking to support hormone balance and overall wellbeing through menopause.