Talk:Withania somnifera

Selective Use of Source Material

I noticed that only adverse effects from the meta-analysis by Tandon and Yadav (2020) are cited, while the study also highlights potential positive effects. If the study is MEDRS compliant, and considered reliable enough to cite adverse effects, it should also include its positive findings. Alternatively, if the study is deemed insufficient, both the positive and negative findings should be omitted for neutrality and balance.

Furthermore, this article states, "Because the studies used different extract preparations, durations of use, doses, and types of subjects, it remains undetermined how ashwagandha may have effects in people, as of 2023." If this is true, then the same logic should prevail when publishing the adverse effects. Krackarot (talk) 21:33, 20 September 2024 (UTC)

Adverse effects are clinically observable and have been reported by numerous sources, including four reputable health sources in the article – Drugs.com, MedlinePlus, ODS-NIH, and the MSK Cancer Center. None of those sources would support a conclusive statement about clinical benefits, but rather the research to date is preliminary and of generally poor quality.

This publication and its claims of clinical benefit do not meet the standard of WP:MEDASSESS; the journal is not a clinical publication, and no national clinical association or regulatory authority has adopted the findings, indicating it is not a reliable source for any of the anti-disease claims made. Zefr (talk) 01:00, 21 September 2024 (UTC)

Zefr, I don't disagree that the journal may not meet WP:MEDASSESS standards, which is why I'm raising this on the talk page. My question is regarding why the study's findings were considered worthy of inclusion in this Wikipedia article. If the journal does not meet the standard, then none of its findings should be included. Krackarot (talk) 02:52, 21 September 2024 (UTC)

In the context of discussing adverse effects, it's a redundant source and could be removed. If you scan the archives, you'll see considerable discussion about "ethno-" and Ayurveda-based sources (as in this example), which are unreliable for encyclopedic medical content Zefr (talk) 04:49, 21 September 2024 (UTC)

Use as a food

The article does not at all mention what is probably the primary use of this item in the lands where it is commonly grown and sold in the markets - as a kind of food. Correctly or not, it is believed to be nourishing and fed to malnourished children and anemic women for this reason. The most well-known recipe is "Moon Milk", the powder added to warm milk and honey and drunk before bed, as many use herbal teas. Apparently, it is commonly an ingredient in the Hilbeh relish of Yemen. The entire plant, leaves, berries etc, is edible, related to tomatoes and may be grown about as easily. Considering how trendy this item has become, some expanded perspective might be reflected in this article. Drsruli (talk) 21:30, 16 November 2024 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: Endocrinology

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 7 January 2025 and 21 March 2025. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Roffk (article contribs).

— Assignment last updated by Okaford (talk) 16:37, 13 February 2025 (UTC)

Efficacy section

Zefr, would you be okay with an efficacy section in general? Short summaries from NIH pages perhaps? The hepatoxicity article is citing the anxiety/stress meta-analysis that you recently reverted as it’s only source for lack of efficacy (footnote 30).

Still new here and have appreciated your editorial direction. Trying to do all my editing in good faith. Thanks for your time! 2600:100C:B0AC:897:54F8:9E0A:19B4:1707 (talk) 04:55, 19 May 2025 (UTC)

There is no established efficacy for any condition. Following WP:ECREE, we would need a clinical guideline or systematic review in a reputable clinical publication - an unlikely source to occur because rigorous research would not be financed for an herb; see WP:MEDASSESS, top of pyramids. Zefr (talk) 18:34, 19 May 2025 (UTC)

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