Ashwagandha Supplements Compared
We currently recommend 4 Ashwagandha supplements. The table below lines them up on what each label actually states: the form, how much is in a serving, how many capsules or servings are in the bottle, and how the extract is standardized. Under the table, each product has its own section on when and how to take it and what it pairs well with.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a shrub whose root has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic. It's usually described as an adaptogen, and most modern research looks at stress and sleep, using extracts standardized for compounds called withanolides.
| Product | Form | Serving | Count | Standardization | Also notable | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutricost KSM-66 Ashwagandha | Capsule | 600mg | 60 | KSM-66, 5% withanolides | With BioPerine | Amazon |
| NOW KSM-66 Ashwagandha | Capsule | 600mg | 90 | KSM-66 | Solvent-free extraction | Amazon |
| Tribe Organics KSM-66 Ashwagandha | Capsule | — | 120 | KSM-66, 5% withanolides | Organic | Amazon |
| Himalaya Organic Ashwagandha | Caplet | 670mg | 60 | Root powder + extract | USDA Organic | Amazon |
How to choose a Ashwagandha supplement
Typical dosage: Root extracts such as KSM-66 are typically taken at 300mg to 600mg per day, once or split into two doses, often in the evening. Studies usually ran for 6 to 12 weeks, so judge it over weeks rather than days.
Things to know: Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk to a doctor first if you have a thyroid condition, liver problems or an autoimmune condition, or take sedatives or medication for blood sugar or blood pressure. Rare cases of liver injury have been reported, so stop and seek advice if you notice yellowing skin or dark urine.
Serving sizes aren't always comparable between products. A concentrated extract and a whole-herb powder can list very different milligram amounts for a similar effect, so compare the standardization column, not just the serving.
Ashwagandha
Nutricost KSM-66 Ashwagandha
600mg KSM-66 root extract per capsule, standardized to 5% withanolides, with BioPerine. 60 capsules.
- Form
- Capsule
- Serving
- 600mg
- Count
- 60
- Standardization
- KSM-66, 5% withanolides
- Also notable
- With BioPerine
When to take it
Take one capsule a day, at the same time each day. Many people take ashwagandha in the evening because of its reputation for relaxation and sleep; others prefer the morning. Studies ran for 6 to 12 weeks, so judge it over weeks rather than days.
How to take it
Each capsule is a full 600mg serving of KSM-66. Take it with a meal and a glass of water, which helps if it upsets your stomach. It includes BioPerine (black pepper extract), so check with a pharmacist if you take medications, as black pepper extract can affect how some drugs are absorbed.
What to combine it with
Some people pair evening ashwagandha with morning Rhodiola Rosea, which has a reputation for fighting fatigue. L-Theanine is another calming option; if you take both, start one at a time so you can tell what each does. Don't combine ashwagandha with sedatives or sleep medication without medical advice.
Ashwagandha
NOW KSM-66 Ashwagandha
600mg KSM-66 root extract per veg capsule, extracted without alcohol or chemical solvents. 90 capsules.
- Form
- Capsule
- Serving
- 600mg
- Count
- 90
- Standardization
- KSM-66
- Also notable
- Solvent-free extraction
When to take it
Take one capsule daily, in the evening or morning. Give it several weeks of consistent use before deciding whether it helps.
How to take it
Each veg capsule provides 600mg of KSM-66 root extract, the serving most KSM-66 research used. Take it with food and water. If you're new to ashwagandha, some people start every other day for the first week to see how they feel.
What to combine it with
For a calm-but-alert daytime routine, some people use L-Theanine; for evenings, ashwagandha on its own is the usual choice. Avoid doubling up with other products that already contain ashwagandha, which is common in stress and sleep blends.
Ashwagandha
Tribe Organics KSM-66 Ashwagandha
Organic KSM-66 root extract standardized to 5% withanolides, made without alcohol or chemical solvents. 120 capsules.
- Form
- Capsule
- Count
- 120
- Standardization
- KSM-66, 5% withanolides
- Also notable
- Organic
When to take it
Take it once a day at a consistent time, morning or evening. Effects in studies built up over 6 to 12 weeks.
How to take it
Follow the serving size on the label and take it with a meal. This is an organic KSM-66 root extract standardized to 5% withanolides, so it's comparable to the extract used in most ashwagandha research.
What to combine it with
Often used alongside Rhodiola Rosea (morning) and on its own in the evening. If you take thyroid medication, talk to your doctor first, because ashwagandha may raise thyroid hormone levels.
Ashwagandha
Himalaya Organic Ashwagandha
670mg organic root powder and root extract per caplet, USDA Organic, in an amber glass bottle. 60 caplets.
- Form
- Caplet
- Serving
- 670mg
- Count
- 60
- Standardization
- Root powder + extract
- Also notable
- USDA Organic
When to take it
Take one caplet daily, usually in the morning or evening with food. Like other ashwagandha products, it works gradually over weeks.
How to take it
Each caplet is 670mg of organic ashwagandha root powder and root extract. Take it with a meal and a full glass of water. Because it's a blend of powder and extract rather than a pure KSM-66 extract, its strength isn't directly comparable to KSM-66 products.
What to combine it with
Pairs naturally with other gentle daily herbs; Himalaya also makes an organic Bacopa that some people take alongside it. Avoid combining it with other ashwagandha-containing blends.
Read more about Ashwagandha
How to Choose an Ashwagandha Supplement: KSM-66, Withanolides and Dosage →
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