{
  "slug": "ashwagandha",
  "name": "Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)",
  "alternate_names": [
    "Withania somnifera",
    "Indian ginseng",
    "Winter cherry",
    "Withanolides",
    "KSM-66",
    "Sensoril"
  ],
  "mechanism": [
    "HPA-axis modulation with downregulation of serum cortisol (chronic-stress RCTs report ~20-30% mean morning cortisol reduction)",
    "GABA-A receptor positive modulation (proposed anxiolytic mechanism)",
    "NF-κB / IKKβ inhibition reducing TNF-α / IL-6 / COX-2 inflammatory signaling (withaferin A, withanolide D)",
    "Lipophilic free-radical scavenging / antioxidant activity of withanolide triterpenoids",
    "Mild modulation of testosterone/LH and thyroid T3/T4 axes (small-RCT signal, not hormone replacement)"
  ],
  "target": [
    "Cortisol / HPA axis",
    "GABA-A receptor",
    "NF-κB",
    "Testosterone / LH",
    "TSH / T4",
    "Oxidative stress markers"
  ],
  "use_case": [
    "stress / cortisol markers (research-context)",
    "anxiety symptom scales (research-context)",
    "sleep quality markers (PSQI / sleep onset)",
    "exercise performance / muscle strength markers",
    "male reproductive / semen-quality markers",
    "cognitive / memory test performance"
  ],
  "body_system": [
    "ENDO",
    "MOOD",
    "SLEEP",
    "NEURO",
    "MUSCULO",
    "REPRO",
    "ANS"
  ],
  "evidence_tier": "A",
  "evidence_anchor_pmid_count": 4,
  "dosage_range": "300-600 mg/day standardized root extract (KSM-66 full-root ≥5% withanolides · 6-8 wk for stress/sleep, 8-12 wk for exercise/male markers; Sensoril root+leaf ≥10% at 125-250 mg/day is a separate, non-interchangeable evidence line) — educational reference, not a dosing recommendation",
  "safety_notes": "Generally well tolerated in 6-8 wk RCTs (AE rate ~placebo, mild GI upset <5%). Rare hepatotoxicity (DILI) case signals: Iceland MAST 2023, Netherlands Lareb 2024, Björnsson 2020 DILIN case series (PMID 31991029) — causality not fully established but a documented safety signal (avoid 100% safe framing). Contraindicated in pregnancy / trying-to-conceive / lactation and in hyperthyroidism / Graves disease; caution with sedatives, thyroid, immunosuppressant medication and hormone-dependent prostate cancer. Not for under-18.",
  "regulatory": {
    "fda": "DSHEA dietary supplement; KSM-66 holds self-affirmed GRAS (sponsor panel, NOT an FDA no-questions GRN letter, so FDA approved is never accurate); structure/function claims only with mandatory disclaimer; FDA warning letters issued against disease claims",
    "efsa": "Marketable as a food supplement in several member states (recognized traditional food-use history, not Novel Food) but NO authorized Art.13/14 health claim; 2024 EU Heads of Food Safety Agencies recommended an Article 8 Novel Food assessment over hepatotoxicity / reproductive / thyroid concerns; member-state policies differ",
    "anvisa": "Prohibited as food / food supplement (ANVISA RE no 3.669/2022 bans commercialization, import, advertising and use of Withania somnifera); exception: individualized pharmacy compounding under RDC 67/2007 with a qualified prescription"
  },
  "authorized_claims": [],
  "ingredient_hub_url": "https://asxan.ai/ingredients/ashwagandha/",
  "related_goal_slugs": [
    "cognitive-support",
    "longevity-stack"
  ],
  "related_lifestyle_slugs": [
    "high-stress",
    "athletic-performance"
  ],
  "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
  "schema_version": "nc-public-v0.2",
  "api_version": "nc-public-v0.3",
  "_meta": {
    "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
    "ip_axes_disclosed": {
      "public_axes": [
        "mechanism",
        "target",
        "use_case",
        "body_system",
        "evidence_tier",
        "dosage_range",
        "safety_notes",
        "regulatory",
        "authorized_claims"
      ],
      "ip_axes_not_exposed": [
        "proprietary_formula_ratios",
        "clinical_protocol_internals",
        "rnd_pipeline_compounds",
        "supplier_specific_grade_specifications",
        "unpublished_endpoint_data"
      ],
      "rationale": "asxan.ai surfaces the educational, evidence-tier-disclosed slice. Formula composition, clinical-protocol internals, and RnD pipeline data are intentionally outside this public surface."
    }
  }
}