The ancient Ayurvedic herb Ashwagandha found itself in the global health limelight this week, as world experts gathered in New Delhi to debate the future of traditional healing systems. The focal point was the 2nd WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, 2025, where the safe integration of herbs like Ashwagandha into modern medical frameworks became a key topic of discussion.
Summit Inauguration and High-Level Focus on Ashwagandha
The prestigious summit was officially opened on Wednesday, December 17, at the Bharat Mandapam. The inauguration was led by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda, with Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav also present. This three-day global scientific congregation, running until December 19, is set to conclude with an address by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Within this context, a significant side event organized by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre and the Ministry of Ayush placed Ashwagandha under intense scrutiny. Scientists, regulators, and policymakers from various nations examined its skyrocketing international popularity for managing stress, boosting brain health, and enhancing immunity. The core challenge discussed was harmonizing centuries of traditional wisdom with the demands of contemporary scientific validation.
India's Global Push and Collaborative Research
Addressing the international audience, Minister Prataprao Jadhav outlined India's strategic efforts to expand global cooperation in traditional medicine. He highlighted concrete steps India is taking, including offering 104 scholarships annually to foreign nationals and signing 26 country-level memoranda of understanding.
Furthermore, India collaborates with more than 50 institutions worldwide, has established Ayush Chairs in 15 universities, and set up Ayush Information Cells in 43 countries. Jadhav emphasized that collaborative international research is building a robust evidence base, citing ongoing Ashwagandha trials in the United Kingdom, Guduchi studies in Germany, and Ayurveda-based diabetes research in Latvia.
The Path to Global Acceptance: Standards and Safety
Speakers at the summit unanimously stressed that for Ashwagandha to achieve wider global acceptance, it must pass through the same rigorous filters as modern medicine. While its traditional use provides a trusted foundation, experts warned that as these products reach markets beyond India, they must meet stringent quality and safety benchmarks.
The need for rigorous clinical research, standardised formulations, and strong safety monitoring was deemed non-negotiable. International regulators shared insights on how markets in Europe and the United States are evaluating Ashwagandha, pointing to an urgent need for clear dosage guidance and reliable quality testing to combat misuse and misinformation.
A New Era for Traditional Medicine
The consensus among participants was clear: sustained global collaboration is the only way to ensure that the benefits of Ashwagandha reach people safely, without compromising the credibility of Ayurveda. This discussion marks a pivotal shift in global health philosophy, where traditional medicine is increasingly viewed not as an informal alternative, but as a credible, evidence-based partner in public healthcare.
The summit in New Delhi has set the stage for a more integrated future, where ancient herbs like Ashwagandha are validated by modern science, creating a holistic and effective healthcare model for the world.
