**Executive Summary**
The event titled "Global Experts Chart the Future of Ashwagandha at WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit" was held on the sidelines of the 2nd WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, 2025. Organized by the WHO-GTMC in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, the session aimed to foster global dialogue on the evolving landscape of Ashwagandha, emphasizing scientific validation and regulatory considerations. A key objective was to integrate traditional medicine, specifically Ashwagandha, into contemporary healthcare systems safely and sustainably.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose and Organization:**
* The session was organized by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO-GTMC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
* It aimed to promote dialogue on Ashwagandha's role in traditional and modern medicine.
* **Discussion Focus:**
* Discussions centered on bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific validation.
* Experts emphasized the importance of rigorous research, safety assessment, and standardization for responsible global use of Ashwagandha.
* The session addressed the regulatory landscape and growing acceptance of Ashwagandha, particularly in Europe.
* The need for methodological rigor and robust evidence to inform regulatory decision-making was highlighted.
* **Outcomes and Consensus:**
* An interactive panel discussion facilitated exchanges on harmonizing standards and fostering collaborative research.
* Participants reached a consensus on the need for sustained international cooperation to integrate Ashwagandha into healthcare frameworks while preserving traditional wisdom.
* **Summit Objectives:**
* The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit provides a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and policy alignment on traditional medicine.
* It emphasizes evidence, safety, and quality.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Global Experts, Regulators, Researchers, and Policymakers**
* **Impact:** Informed about the latest research, regulatory perspectives, and the growing global commitment to integrating Ashwagandha into healthcare.
* **Action Required:** Contribute to the development of harmonized standards, participate in collaborative research, and support policy alignment for the safe and effective use of Ashwagandha.
**Stakeholder: WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO-GTMC) & Ministry of Ayush**
* **Impact:** Play a leading role in advancing traditional medicine through evidence-based global dialogue and fostering international cooperation.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide a platform for dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to integrate traditional medicine into contemporary health systems.
**Stakeholder: Healthcare Systems**
* **Impact:** Provides frameworks for integrating traditional medicine while ensuring safety and scientific standards.
* **Action Required:** Adopt integrating traditional medicine practices while adhering to the quality, safety and efficacy framework.
**Stakeholder: General Public**
* **Impact:** Increased access to the benefits of traditional medicine while safeguarding their interests.
* **Action Required:** Have to adopt traditional medicine practices which adhere to scientific standards and prescribed by healthcare professionals.
Key Entities Referenced
WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit: A global platform for dialogue, cooperation and policy alignment on traditional medicine, with an emphasis on evidence, safety and quality.
WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO-GTMC): An organization that collaborated with the Ministry of Ayush to organize the Ashwagandha session.
Ashwagandha: A revered Rasayana herb in Ayurveda, focus of the event for its global integration in healthcare.
Ministry of Ayush: Collaborated with WHO-GTMC in organizing the event to promote Ashwagandha.
New Delhi: Location of the event held at Bharat Mandapam.
AYUSH
Global Experts Chart the Future of Ashwagandha
at WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit
प्रव तथ: 17 DEC 2025 7:22PM by PIB Delhi
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), one of Ayurveda’s most revered Rasayana herbs, took centre stage at
a high-level international side event held on 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 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. 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. Ms. 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, emphasised 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 deliberations reflected a growing global commitment to integrating traditional medicine into
contemporary health systems in a safe, scientific and sustainable manner, in line with the broader
objectives of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit.
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.***
SR/GS/SG
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इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही