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Ashwagandha supplements reviewed by ConsumerLab.com

Summary

  • Does ashwagandha work?

    Preliminary studies suggest that ashwagandha may help reduce anxiety, improve physical and cognitive performance, and have other benefits. However, larger studies are needed for confirmation.
  • How to choose an ashwagandha supplement?

    When choosing an ashwagandha product, look for a root powder or a root extract containing, respectively, at least 0.3% and 1.5% of withanolides — key marker compounds which may also play a role in the herb's activity.
  • How much ashwagandha to take:

    Daily dosage for a root powder is typically 1 to 6 grams (1,000 mg to 6,000 mg). For extracts it is 500 mg to 1,500 mg. A daily dose should provide at least 6 mg of withanolides — typically between 10 mg and 30 mg has been used in most studies.
  • What did CL's tests of ashwagandha supplements find?

    Many products contained lower amounts of withanolides than expected and only 56% of the products selected for testing were Approved. The amount of withanolides in a suggested daily serving ranged from just 0.57 mg to as much as 95.3 mg. The cost to obtain 6 mg of withanolides ranged from just 7 cents to $1.24. Price was not an indicator of quality. (See What CL Found).
  • Best ashwagandha supplements?

    Several products were Approved for Quality and provide doses of withanolides consistent with efficacy in clinical studies. Among these, one product was selected as a Top Pick, offering superior strength and at low cost for withanolides. Several additional products represent good, well-priced alternatives.
  • Ashwagandha safety and side effects:

    Ashwagandha is generally well tolerated but headache and gastrointestinal or allergic reactions can occur. Although rare, liver injury can occur. Ashwagandha may potentially lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and affect thyroid hormone levels. It should not be used by women or who are pregnant or nursing. For more details, see Concerns and Cautions.

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Alphabetical list of ashwagandha supplement brands compared in this review

View Larger Image 6173_small_GNC-Ashwagandha-Small-2018.jpg

GNC Herbal Plus Ashwagandha

View Larger Image 6183_small_Himalaya-Ashwaghanda-Small-2018.jpg

Himalaya Ashwagandha

View Larger Image 6187_small_JarrowFormulas-Ashwaghanda-Small-2018.jpg

Jarrow Formulas Ashwagandha

View Larger Image 6188_small_LifeExtension-Ashwaghanda-Small-2018.jpg

Life Extension Optimized Ashwagandha Extract

View Larger Image 6189_small_NaturesAnswer-Ashwagandha-Small-2018.jpg

Nature's Answer Ashwagandha

View Larger Image 6174_small_NaturesWay-Ashwagandha-Small-2018.jpg

Nature's Way Standardized Ashwagandha 4% Withanolides

View Larger Image 6182_small_OrganicIndia-Ashwaghanda-Small-2018.jpg

Organic India Ashwagandha

View Larger Image 6184_small_PlntByV-Ashwagandha-Small-2018.jpg

plnt by V [Vitamin Shoppe] Ashwagandha

View Larger Image 6175_small_ProHealth-Ashwaghanda-Small-2018.jpg

ProHealth Optimized Ashwagandha

View Larger Image 6177_small_PureEncapsulations-Ashwagandha-Small-2018.jpg

Pure Encapsulations Daily Stress Formula

Puritan's Pride Ashwagandha

View Larger Image 6178_small_Solaray-Ashwagandha-Small-2018.jpg

Solaray Ashwagandha

View Larger Image 6185_small_Solgar-Ashwaghanda-Small-2018.jpg

Solgar Ashwagandha Root Extract

View Larger Image 6179_small_SundownNaturals-Ashwagandha-Small-2018.jpg

Sundown Naturals Stress Support

View Larger Image 6186_small_Vitacost-Ashwagandha-Small-2018.jpg

Vitacost Ashwagandha Complex

View Larger Image 6180_small_VitaminWorld-Ashwaghanda-Small-2018.jpg

Vitamin World Ashwagandha Extract

You must be a ConsumerLab.com member to get the full ashwagandha test results and reviews for 15 supplements including extracts, root powders, and combination products. Nine of these were selected for review by ConsumerLab.com and six others passed the same testing in CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program. In the review, you'll learn:
  • ConsumerLab's Top Pick for ashwagandha based on quality, purity, dose, and value
  • Which products passed or failed our tests and why
  • How ashwagandha supplements compare on ingredients, dosage, amounts of withanolides, and cost
  • Ashwagandha dosage for specific uses, such as reducing anxiety and improving memory  
  • The amount of withanolides in each ashwagandha supplement and dosage to look for
  • How ashwagandha root powders and root extracts differ, and what they have been shown to do
  • Clinical information about whether ashwagandha works for anxiety and improving memory
  • Price comparisons showing how to get the best ashwagandha at lowest cost
  • Safety, side effects, and potential drug interactions with ashwagandha

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Additional Information
Tested through CL's Quality Certification Program prior to, or after initial posting of this Product Review.