Ashwagandha has become one of the internet's favourite wellness supplements, promoted on TikTok and social media for everything from stress and sleep to hormonal health. But for one 44-year-old UK mother, taking the herb was followed by a medical emergency that left her with acute liver failure and brain damage.

Lois Kinder, from Cheshire, had been taking two ashwagandha gummies a day for around a year after coming across the supplement on social media. She later developed yellowing of her skin and eyes and was found collapsed at home. Doctors diagnosed her with acute liver failure, and she eventually required an emergency liver transplant. She suffered three cardiac arrests during the operation and was deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period, resulting in brain damage.

According to her husband, Ollie, doctors treating Kinder believed the ashwagandha supplement had contributed to her liver problems. However, because this is a complex individual case and the family is awaiting further medical investigation, it is more accurate to describe the supplement as a suspected cause, rather than proof that ashwagandha caused her liver failure.

What Is Ashwagandha and Why Is Everyone Taking It?

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, is a plant traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. It is now widely sold as a dietary supplement and is commonly promoted online for stress, anxiety and sleep.

Research suggests that some preparations may help with stress and insomnia, but studies have generally been small and have used different preparations and doses. There is also not enough evidence to determine whether ashwagandha is helpful for several other conditions for which it is promoted, including menopause, athletic performance and cognitive function.

That distinction matters because a supplement being popular online does not necessarily mean that its benefits or long-term safety have been firmly established.

Can Ashwagandha Cause Liver Problems?

Liver injury associated with ashwagandha appears to be rare, but it has been reported.

The US National Institutes of Health says several cases have linked ashwagandha supplements with liver injury. Reported symptoms have included yellowing of the skin or eyes, itching, nausea, tiredness and abdominal discomfort. The exact relationship can be difficult to establish because some products contain multiple ingredients and their contents are not always independently verified.

The UK's Committee on Toxicity is currently reviewing the safety of ashwagandha after the Food Standards Agency received an increasing number of incidents involving food supplements between February 2021 and December 2024. Its discussion paper notes that ashwagandha-containing supplements have been linked with reported cases of liver injury, including severe jaundice and itching.

The committee has also highlighted an important problem with herbal supplements: even products marketed as single-herb supplements can contain complex mixtures of plant compounds, while differences in plant parts, extraction methods, concentrations and possible contamination can make it difficult to identify exactly what caused an adverse reaction.

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Who Should Be Careful With Ashwagandha?

Liver injury is not the only potential concern.

Ashwagandha can cause milder side effects such as stomach upset, loose stools, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. Its long-term safety also remains unclear, with the NIH noting that evidence mainly covers use for up to around three months.

The supplement may also affect thyroid function and interact with certain medicines, including some treatments for diabetes and high blood pressure, sedatives, anti-seizure medicines, immunosuppressants and thyroid hormone medication.

The NIH advises against using ashwagandha during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is also not recommended for people with autoimmune or thyroid disorders, those preparing for surgery and people with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

This does not mean that everyone who takes ashwagandha will experience side effects. Rather, the evidence suggests that its effects can vary between people and products, making it important to consider individual health conditions and other medicines.

What Are the Warning Signs to Watch For?

Kinder's case highlights why certain symptoms should not simply be dismissed as part of taking a wellness supplement.

Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes can be a sign of jaundice and should receive medical attention. Other symptoms associated with reported ashwagandha-related liver injury include dark urine, itching, nausea, tiredness and abdominal discomfort.

Anyone who develops concerning symptoms after starting a supplement should speak with a healthcare professional and provide details of everything they are taking, including herbal products and over-the-counter supplements.

It is also important not to assume that a supplement is harmless simply because it is labelled as natural.

Ashwagandha may have potential benefits for some people, particularly for stress and sleep, but its long-term safety is not fully understood. Rare cases of liver injury have been reported, and UK authorities are currently examining the safety of ashwagandha supplements.

Lois Kinder's experience is a serious reminder that supplements can have real biological effects. Her case does not prove that ashwagandha was solely responsible for her liver failure, but it does highlight why people should consider their individual health conditions, medications and the potential risks before adding a popular wellness supplement to their routine.

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