Stress & Vitality · Supplement Guide
Ashwagandha in Thailand
What ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) actually does, what the evidence shows for stress, cortisol and testosterone, and how to get a quality-checked extract safely in Bangkok. Reviewed by a licensed physician at a MOPH-registered men's health clinic.
- Best evidence: stress & cortisol
- Dietary supplement · sold OTC in Thailand
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Noppon Arunkajohnsak (Win)
Menscape Clinic
Last reviewed
11 July 2026
27.9%
Lower serum cortisol
vs placebo, in a 60-day trial
8–12
Weeks to assess effect
typical length of the trials
300–600
Milligrams a day
standardized root extract in studies
~15%
Testosterone signal
small trial in aging, overweight men
Key takeaways
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herbal adaptogen sold as a dietary supplement, not a registered medicine.
The strongest evidence is for stress: a 60-day controlled trial found roughly 27.9% lower serum cortisol versus placebo.
The testosterone data is modest and comes from small trials. It is not a treatment for low testosterone or erectile dysfunction.
Rare but real liver-injury cases have been reported, and product quality varies widely. A doctor should check it fits your health and medicines first.
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What ashwagandha is & how it works
Ashwagandha is the root of Withania somnifera, a shrub used in Ayurvedic tradition for centuries. Today it is sold as a dietary supplement, usually as a standardized root extract in capsules. It is classed as an adaptogen, a loose term for compounds thought to help the body cope with stress.
The best-understood effect is on the stress hormone cortisol. When you are under chronic stress, the HPA axis (the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal loop) keeps cortisol elevated, which can disturb sleep, mood, energy and, over time, hormone balance. Ashwagandha's active compounds, called withanolides, appear to blunt this response, and in controlled trials serum cortisol falls over about eight weeks.
It is important to be honest about the limits. The exact mechanism is only partly understood, the trials are mostly small and short, and effects vary a lot between people and between products. Ashwagandha is one option to support stress and general wellbeing. It is not a substitute for a medical work-up if you have low energy, low libido or suspected low testosterone.
Chronic stress raises cortisol
The HPA axis keeps cortisol elevated, which can disrupt sleep, mood and energy.
Withanolides act on the stress axis
Ashwagandha's active compounds appear to dampen the HPA stress response.
Cortisol trends down
In trials, serum cortisol fell by roughly a quarter over about 8 weeks.¹
Downstream effects
Better-measured sleep and stress scores, with a small, modest testosterone signal in some men.²
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Getting ashwagandha in Thailand
Thai FDA status
Ashwagandha is regulated by the Thai FDA as a dietary supplement (ผลิตภัณฑ์เสริมอาหาร), not as a registered medicine. Licensed products carry an FDA number and can be sold over the counter at pharmacies and health stores.⁶
How to get it through Menscape
Menscape does not keep ashwagandha on the shelf. After a doctor reviews whether it suits you, a standardized, quality-checked root extract (such as branded extracts KSM-66 or Sensoril) is sourced on request through our supplement channel for pickup or delivery.
Quality vs the grey market
Supplement quality varies enormously. Independent testing has found products that are underdosed, adulterated, or contaminated with heavy metals. Choose a standardized extract from a reputable, tested source rather than the cheapest online listing.
Regulatory note. Dietary supplements are not assessed by the Thai FDA for the treatment of any disease, and label claims are not the same as proven medical benefits. Quality and withanolide content differ between brands.
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Does it work? The evidence
The most consistent finding is for stress. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (64 stressed adults, 600 mg/day of a standardized root extract for 60 days), serum cortisol dropped by about 27.9% and perceived-stress scores by roughly 44% versus placebo. Later trials and reviews report similar reductions in stress and anxiety, plus improvements in measured sleep quality.¹
The testosterone picture is more modest. A small crossover study in ageing, overweight men found testosterone rose by around 15% versus placebo over eight weeks, and a separate study in men with fertility problems reported improved sperm parameters. These are small, specific groups, not proof that ashwagandha raises testosterone in healthy men, and it is not a treatment for low testosterone or erectile dysfunction.²·⁴
27.9%
Lower serum cortisol
600 mg/day for 60 days, vs placebo
~44%
Lower perceived stress
same trial, PSS score vs placebo
Chandrasekhar et al., 2012, randomised placebo-controlled trial in stressed adults. Trials are small and results vary between people and products.
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Side effects & who shouldn't take it
Common side effects
Usually mild and dose-related: drowsiness, stomach upset, loose stools, nausea or headache. Taking it with food and starting at a lower dose can help. Because it can be sedating, be careful combining it with alcohol or sleep aids.
Serious but rare
Case reports and drug-safety registries have linked ashwagandha to liver injury, sometimes needing hospital care. Stop it and see a doctor promptly if you notice yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, itching, or persistent nausea and fatigue.⁵
Not suitable for
Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Use caution or avoid if you have thyroid disease (it can raise thyroid hormones), an autoimmune condition (it may stimulate the immune system), liver disease, or if you are due for surgery. Not for under-18s.
Interactions
It can add to the effect of sedatives, thyroid medication, immunosuppressants, and drugs for diabetes or blood pressure. Tell your doctor about every medicine and supplement you take before starting.
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Alternatives & combinations
Lifestyle · first-line
Sleep, exercise, alcohol
The strongest levers for both cortisol and testosterone are consistent sleep, regular resistance exercise and cutting back on alcohol. No supplement outperforms these basics.
Medical · if testosterone is the concern
Blood test & assessment
If low libido, fatigue or mood is the real issue, get testosterone and related bloods measured. A doctor can then advise properly. Ashwagandha is not a substitute for that work-up.
Supplement · similar evidence
Rhodiola or L-theanine
Other adaptogens and calming supplements are sometimes used for stress, with similarly modest, small-trial evidence. A doctor can help you weigh them against ashwagandha.
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Message us on WhatsApp or LINE
A few minutes on your phone: your goals, health history and any medications or supplements. It is PDPA-protected.
Doctor or pharmacist review
A licensed clinician checks interactions, liver health and whether ashwagandha is sensible for you, or whether a blood test comes first.
Supplied on request
If it is appropriate, a standardized, quality-checked extract is sourced in for you through our supplement channel, for pickup or delivery. It is not kept on the shelf.
Follow-up
A review at 8–12 weeks to see whether it is helping, with liver or hormone blood tests if that is relevant to you.
The doctor decides. Starting a conversation is not a commitment. If ashwagandha is not right for you, or a blood test is the better first step, your clinician will say so and explain why.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Noppon Arunkajohnsak (Win)
Menscape Clinic, Bangkok
“Ashwagandha can take the edge off stress for some men, but it is a supplement, not a fix for low testosterone. If your energy or libido has dropped, get your bloods done first. Then we decide what actually helps.”
- Reviewed
- 11 July 2026
- Next review
- January 2027
- Editorial standard
- Each guide is checked against the Thai FDA label and the primary literature, then reviewed by a licensed physician.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I buy ashwagandha over the counter in Thailand?
Yes. It is sold as a dietary supplement over the counter at pharmacies and health stores. But strength, purity and dose vary a lot between products, and it can interact with medicines and affect the liver, so a doctor's check before you start is worthwhile.
Does ashwagandha actually raise testosterone?
The evidence is modest. A small crossover trial in ageing, overweight men found about a 15% rise versus placebo, but that is one specific group over eight weeks. It is not proof for healthy men, and it is not a treatment for low testosterone.
How long before I notice anything?
Most trials run 8 to 12 weeks, and that is roughly when effects on stress and sleep are assessed. If you notice nothing after about three months, it is reasonable to stop and review with your doctor.
Is ashwagandha safe for the liver?
For most people short-term use is well tolerated, but rare cases of liver injury have been reported and logged in drug-safety registries. Stop it and see a doctor if you get yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, itching, or ongoing nausea and fatigue.
Who should not take ashwagandha?
Avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and be cautious with thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, liver disease, or before surgery. It is not for under-18s. Always tell your doctor what else you take, as it interacts with several medicines.
What dose is used in the studies?
Most trials use 300 to 600 mg per day of a standardized root extract, often split into two doses and taken with food. A doctor can help you match a dose to a reputable, tested product.
Can ashwagandha treat erectile dysfunction?
No. Ashwagandha is not a treatment for erectile dysfunction. If ED is your concern, it usually has a specific and treatable cause, so it is worth being assessed by a doctor rather than relying on a supplement.
Is the ashwagandha sold online genuine?
Not always. Independent testing has found supplements that are underdosed, adulterated or contaminated with heavy metals. Choose a standardized extract from a reputable, tested source, which is why Menscape sources a quality-checked product on request.
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References
1. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(3):255-262.
2. Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Smith SJ. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in aging, overweight males. Am J Mens Health. 2019;13(2).
3. Salve J, Pate S, Debnath K, Langade D. Adaptogenic and anxiolytic effects of ashwagandha root extract in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study. Cureus. 2019;11(12):e6466.
4. Ambiye VR, Langade D, Dongre S, et al. Clinical evaluation of the spermatogenic activity of the root extract of ashwagandha in oligospermic males. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:571420.
5. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury — Ashwagandha. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Accessed July 2026.
6. Thai Food and Drug Administration — dietary supplement (ผลิตภัณฑ์เสริมอาหาร) regulations, Bureau of Food, fda.moph.go.th. Accessed July 2026.
7. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), U.S. NIH. Ashwagandha. Accessed July 2026.
This guide is educational information, not medical advice. Ashwagandha is a dietary supplement, not a registered medicine, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition. Talk to a licensed physician before starting it, especially if you take other medicines or have a health condition.
This guide is part of the Menscape longevity library
Explore the condition hubStressed, drained, or worried about low testosterone? Get it checked, not guessed.
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