Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)—one of the most revered Rasayana herbs of Ayurveda—took centre stage at a high-level international side event organised on the sidelines of the 2nd WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, 2025, reinforcing India’s leadership in advancing traditional medicine through evidence-based global dialogue. The session reaffirmed the growing global consensus on responsibly integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern scientific frameworks.
The event, titled “Ashwagandha: From Traditional Wisdom to Global Impact – Perspectives from Leading Global Experts,” was organised by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO-GTMC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Modern Science
The session brought together eminent global experts, regulators, researchers and policymakers to examine the evolving scientific, regulatory and safety landscape surrounding Ashwagandha. With the herb gaining increasing international recognition for its adaptogenic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties, discussions focused on building robust bridges between ancient wisdom and contemporary scientific validation.
Experts unanimously stressed that the responsible global adoption of Ashwagandha must be underpinned by rigorous preclinical and clinical research, comprehensive safety assessments, pharmacovigilance, and internationally harmonised quality and standardisation protocols.
Global Perspectives from Leading Experts
Moderated by Dr. J.B. Gupta, Secretary, World Ashwagandha Council, the session featured keynote presentations by globally recognised authorities in herbal medicine and regulation.
-
Dr. Roy Upton, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, outlined global benchmarks for identity verification, quality testing and therapeutic applications, emphasising the importance of pharmacopeial standards for international acceptance.
-
Ms. Mari Lyyra, Head of Food and Feed, Medfiles Ltd, Finland, shared insights into the European regulatory landscape, highlighting growing acceptance of Ashwagandha within evidence-driven frameworks.
-
Dr. Ikhlas Khan, Director, National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, underscored the need for methodological rigor and reproducible evidence to guide regulatory decisions worldwide.
-
Dr. Geetha Krishnan, WHO-GTMC, addressed the delicate balance between scientific promise and precaution, stressing the importance of safety, surveillance and responsible integration.
Harmonising Standards and Strengthening Collaboration
An interactive panel discussion enabled candid exchanges on harmonising global standards, ensuring consistent efficacy, and fostering collaborative international research. Panelists highlighted that sustained cooperation among governments, research institutions, regulators and industry is essential to position Ashwagandha within conventional healthcare frameworks while preserving the integrity of traditional knowledge systems.
The session concluded with a shared consensus that Ashwagandha represents a powerful example of how traditional medicine can be integrated into modern health systems safely, scientifically and sustainably, when guided by evidence and global cooperation.
Aligning with the Broader WHO Vision
The deliberations echoed the broader objectives of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, which serves as a global platform for dialogue, cooperation and policy alignment on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. With a strong emphasis on evidence, safety and quality, the Summit continues to advance pathways for integrating traditional medicine into contemporary health systems worldwide.
Conclusion
The Ashwagandha-focused session marked a significant step in shaping a science-led global future for Ayurveda’s flagship herb. By bringing together diverse global perspectives, the dialogue reinforced India’s leadership and the shared international commitment to ensuring that traditional medicines like Ashwagandha contribute meaningfully to global health—anchored in scientific credibility, regulatory clarity and respect for ancient wisdom.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
