Ashwagandha is an herb reputed to have numerous health benefits, including stress relief, improved sleep quality, enhanced physical performance, and cognitive function support. See https://patient.info/features/diet-and-nutrition/ashwagandha
There appears to have been no research on use during breastfeeding and as such is generally not recommended during lactation. I am no expert or fan of herbal medicines I admit and would not be willing to express any other opinion outside of my professional expertise.
E-lactancia
E-lactancia comments “Given the lack of certain evidence of the efficacy of its indications and the rare but possible hepatic toxicity, its consumption is dispensable and more so during lactation, especially in cases of prematurity and during the neonatal period. Because of its possible sedative effect, bed-sharing (co-sleeping) is not recommended if this plant is consumed during lactation.” https://e-lactancia.org/breastfeeding/ashwagandha/product/ accessed January 2026.
LactMed
See also https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501905/ “Withania (Withania somnifera) roots and berries contain alkaloids, steroidal lactones, and saponins. It is called ashwagandha in ayurvedic medicine where it is sometimes used as a galactogogue. However, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use. Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counselling on modifiable factors that affect milk production. No data exist on the excretion of any components of Withania into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of Withania in nursing mothers or infants. In general, Withania is generally well tolerated in adults with occasional severe diarrhoea, skin burning, sedation and discoloration and allergic skin reactions. It should be used cautiously by patients with diabetes, hypertension or men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Because there is no published experience with Withania during breastfeeding, it should be avoided, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
