India, March 18 -- With the growing attention given to traditional, herbal medicines in recent years, ashwagandha has been popularised in the market as a supplement that provides multiple health benefits. However, there has been a growing concern about the herbal remedy harming the liver over time.

To help us understand the true nature of the substance, Dr Shubham Vatsya, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Fortis Vasant Kunj, Delhi, took to Instagram on March 17 and explained both the benefits and possible side effects.

The scientific name of ashwagandha is Withania somnifera. According to the Cleveland Clinic website, it is an evergreen shrub that is found in India, Africa, and parts of western Asia.

Ashwagandha is scientificall...