Ashwagandha Monographs Provide Quality Control (QC) Guidance

Monographs on Withania somnifera, made available from the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and American Botanical Council, provide insight for ingredient buyers on key issues around this adaptogenic botanical.

Heather Granato, VP, Partnerships & Sustainability

March 14, 2018

1 Min Read
Ashwagandha Monographs Provide Quality Control (QC) Guidance

When purchasing botanical ingredients, it’s critical to be aware of issues around sourcing, quality control, testing protocols and more. In many cases, this means using publicly available and reviewed monographs that have been developed by expert organizations.

Ashwagandha Advantage is pleased to offer access to two such monographs—one from the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) and the other from the American Botanical Council (ABC).

AHP’s monograph, “Ashwagandha Root (Withania somnifera): Analytical, Quality Control and Therapeutic Monograph,” was originally published in 2000. The 28-page monograph includes full nomenclature and history; botanical, macroscopic and microscopic identification; commercial sources and cultivation; and analytical guidance and information on constituents. The section on therapeutic applications has a focus on studies related to ashwagandha’s adaptogenic effects, with additional insight into its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and cardioactive effects. This monograph also includes a section focused on its traditional Ayurvedic indications and preparations. AHP (herbal-ahp.org) is seeking industry support to conduct an update of the monograph.

ABC’s herb profile, “Ashwagandha,” was published in HerbalGram in 2013 (99:1-7). The monograph has an extensive section on the history and cultural significance of ashwagandha; insight around the regulatory status and authorized uses in cosmetics, foods, medicines and supplements; and a focus on the research around ashwagandha’s health effects, including immune support, endurance and men’s health. It concludes with a section around future outlook, noting the challenges the herb has faced due to the EU’s regulatory framework but the potential it holds for growth around the world.

About the Author

Heather Granato

VP, Partnerships & Sustainability, Informa Markets, Food EMEA division

Heather Granato is a 30-year veteran of the natural products industry, currently serving as vice president, partnerships & sustainability, in the Food EMEA division of Informa Markets. She is based in London, and leads efforts related to industry partnerships and broader sustainability initiatives for the Vitafoods and Food ingredients brands. She has been a presenter at events including SupplySide, Vitafoods, Food ingredients, Natural Products Expo, the Natural Gourmet Show and the Folio: Show. Her publishing experience includes Natural Products Insider, Food Product Design, Vitafoods Insights, Country Living's Healthy Living, Natural Foods Merchandiser, Delicious Magazine and WomenOf.com. Granato serves as the founding president of Women In Nutraceuticals, a global non-profit founded in 2022 focused on empowering women in the nutraceutical industry; she is also on the board of directors for the Organic & Natural Health Association. From 2016 to 2022, she was a vice president on the national governing board of Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity. Granato was named to the FOLIO: 100 list of top media professionals in 2018, and was selected as a 2015 Top Woman in Media by FOLIO:. She received the 2014 Visionary Award and the 2018 Journalistic Excellence Award from the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA); and was honored with the CEO Merit Award for Content from Virgo in 2014. Granato graduated magna cum laude from the University of Richmond, Virginia, in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

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