NewzVille Desk
Ashwagandha, one of Ayurveda’s most revered Rasayana herbs, took centre stage at the sidelines of the 2nd WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, 2025, reaffirming India’s leadership in advancing traditional medicine through evidence-based global dialogue.
The session, titled “Ashwagandha: From Traditional Wisdom to Global Impact – Perspectives from Leading Global Experts,” was organized by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO-GTMC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
It brought together eminent global experts, regulators, researchers and policymakers to deliberate on the evolving scientific, regulatory and safety landscape surrounding Ashwagandha.
With Ashwagandha gaining growing international recognition for its adaptogenic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties, the discussions focused on strengthening the bridge between traditional knowledge systems and contemporary scientific validation.
Experts underscored the importance of rigorous preclinical and clinical research, safety assessment, pharmacovigilance and standardisation to support its responsible global use.
Moderated by Dr. J.B. Gupta, Secretary, World Ashwagandha Council, the session featured keynote presentations by leading international authorities. Dr. Roy Upton of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia highlighted global benchmarks for identity, quality testing and therapeutic applications.
Mari Lyyra, Head of Food and Feed at Medfiles Ltd, Finland, shared perspectives on Europe’s regulatory environment and the growing acceptance of Ashwagandha.
Dr. Ikhlas Khan, Director of the National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, emphasized the need for methodological rigor and robust evidence to inform regulatory decision-making.
Dr. Geetha Krishnan of WHO-GTMC addressed the balance between promise and precaution in the global adoption of Ashwagandha.
An interactive panel discussion enabled candid exchanges among experts on harmonising standards, ensuring reproducible efficacy and fostering collaborative research to advance evidence-based Ashwagandha formulations.
The session concluded with a shared consensus on the need for sustained international cooperation to position Ashwagandha within conventional healthcare frameworks while preserving the integrity of traditional wisdom.
The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit provides a global platform for dialogue, cooperation and policy alignment on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, with a strong emphasis on evidence, safety and quality.
