The liver processes substances absorbed from the digestive system, including compounds found in medicines and supplements. In rare cases, exposure to certain substances can cause drug- or herb-induced liver injury. Ashwagandha has been linked to a small but growing number of such cases. LiverTox, a database maintained by the US National Library of Medicine, notes that reported cases have typically involved jaundice and itching, with liver injury often appearing within weeks of starting the supplement. Most reported patients recover after stopping the product, although severe cases, including acute liver failure requiring transplantation, have also been documented.
