However, more modern ashwagandha supplements are ashwagandha extracts that are labelled as Withania Somnifera extract. You should avoid taking it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have an autoimmune disease, unless advised otherwise by your GP. The exact dosage that you should take will depend on the brand and strength of supplement. You should always read the dosage directions prior to taking any supplement. Dr Dunner PhytoVitality Ashwagandha, Basil & Biotin Capsules is a two month supply of vegan capsules which uses a blend of beautifully balanced botanicals including the three main ingredients.

People who are taking medication for thyroid disease should also be careful when taking ashwagandha because it might increase thyroid hormone levels. Are there other conditions to consider? Ashwagandha may be unsafe if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, immunocompromised, soon undergoing surgery or have a thyroid condition. It’s also worth noting that some people who are allergic to nightshades or have certain grass allergies don’t tolerate ashwagandha well. If any of these situations apply to you, talk to your doctor or an integrative health specialist to determine whether it’s safe for you to take ashwagandha. Various parts of the ashwagandha plant are used for medicinal purposes, but it’s ashwagandha extract – which is an extract of the plant’s roots – that’s found in most supplements. 5 At least one clinical study indicates ashwagandha can benefit women experiencing sexual dysfunction [10] Dongre S, Langade D, Bhattacharyya S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:284154. . The administration of ashwagandha resulted in significant improvements in arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction, as self-reported by the participants. It also significantly improved the number of successful sexual encounters and improved metrics of distress around their sex lives and sexuality. 5. Boosts Fertility and Testosterone Levels in Men Sandhu JS, Shah B, Shenoy S, Chauhan S, Lavekar GS, Padhi MM. Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) on physical performance and cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy young adults. Int J Ayurveda Res. 2010;1(3):144-149.

How to use ashwagandha

Separately, in a stress-related ashwagandha study, researchers found the herb increased testosterone levels in male but not female participants [13] Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186. . Another study testing ashwagandha’s effect on muscle strength in men also measured a significant increase in testosterone [14] Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, Sinha SR, Bhattacharyya S. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:43. . 6. Sharpens Focus and Memory East Meets West Ashwagandha Complex Capsules are a convenient one per day supplement which can fit easily into a busy lifestyle. Simply take one in the morning with your breakfast, lunch or dinner. As a result, it’s believed to be effective at helping reduce levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. It may also therefore potentially help with anxiety and depression too.

Standard ashwagandha root extract tends to be taken in 450mg to 500mg capsules once or twice a day. The recommended guidance for adults is one a day, preferably with food or water. Research on ashwagandha continues to evolve as scientists around the world study its efficacy against a variety of ailments. This patented ashwagandha extract is high in both quality and concentration, helping to maintain the body’s normal mental balance, learning, memory and recall. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, a natural agent that reportedly helps the body cope with stress. It’s widely recognised for being a herbal medicine, as well as increasing energy levels and creating a general sense of wellbeing. Is ashwagandha safe? Ashwagandha is frequently referred to as ‘Indian ginseng’ because of its rejuvenating properties, even though botanically, ginseng and ashwagandha aren’t connected to each other. 4 What is ashwagandha extract?

Ashwagandha may help improve cognition, memory and the ability to perform motor responses after instruction. Small studies have found that, compared to a placebo, ashwagandha significantly improved participants’ reaction times during cognition and psychomotor tests (which measure the ability to respond to instructions and perform an indicated action) [15] Pingali U, Pilli R, Fatima N. Effect of standardized aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on tests of cognitive and psychomotor performance in healthy human participants. Pharmacognosy Res. 2014;6(1):12-18. . If you’re taking any medication, ask your GP before taking it, as ashwagandha’s impact on blood sugar and blood pressure levels may interfere with the dosage. Summary Ashwagandha is believed to be safe for most people to take, although its long-term effects are unknown.

The health benefits associated with ashwagandha are widespread and range from managing stress andblood sugar levels, to supportingconcentration, physical endurance and sleep quality. Salve J, Pate S, Debnath K, et al. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus. 2019;11(12): e6466.

What ashwagandha supplements are available?

The root extract used in this supplement is carefully tested and the resulting supplement is produced to superior quality standards.