According to WebMD , stress-related health problems affect 43% of all adults and prompt 75-90% of all doctor visits. Many turn to adaptogen herbs like ashwagandha (withania somnifera), bacopa, or rhodiola rosea to help with chronic stress.
However, it is essential to note that the ingredient formulas of ashwagandha products can differ from brand to brand; providing the user with different potential benefits. Having a supplement that is designed for the chronic stress and hazards of today’s world will not only protect your immune system but will hopefully prevent stress induced side effects as well.
Here are the 10 best ashwagandha supplements of 2020
A note on price
General price ranges with dollar signs ($ to $) are indicated below. Just like on Yelp and Google Reviews, One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher price range.
Generally, prices range from $0.17–$0.97 per serving, or $11.99–$49.99 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop.
Most products require you to just take 1 capsule daily, but some may have a greater serving size.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $0.19 per serving
- $$ = $0.19–$0.39 per serving
- $$$ = over $0.39 per serving
Best liquid extract
1. Herb Pharm Certified Organic Ashwagandha Extract
- Users find that this tincture helps tremendously with their fatigue, even taking it with their daily morning coffee.
- The ease of use make it the perfect daily supplement; reduce stress and bring a sense of calm.
Price: $$
Capsules not your thing? Try this new alcohol free liquid ashwagandha root extract. Capsules can be annoying especially if you take a lot of them a day. Switching to a liquid extract will save you a lot of time and money as these products tend to be on the cheaper side. Besides this adaptogen works whether it’s in capsules or liquid form.
This product features a certified organic ashwagandha extract perfect for those who want a quality liquid withania somnifera from a reputable brand. Check out their other herbal extracts as they cover a majority of herbs.
Best KSM-66
2. Nutrabio KSM-66 Ashwagandha Extract
- Ashwagandha extract standardized to 5% withanolides
- Users report a stimulating and energizing effect, while still supporting healthy stress levels.
Price: $$
Many users of ashwagandha extract like to supplement with KSM-66 ashwagandha because it’s an extract which is standardized to 5% withanolides.
Bottom line, every capsule contains a standardized amount of withanolides. Helping to keep your supplementation controlled and routine.
Best Tablet
3. Garden Of Life Mykind Organics Ashwagandha
- Used for in Ayurvedic Medicine for thousands of years to relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration
- Ashwagandha root with high concentration of withanolides, to help fight inflammation and tumor growth .
Price: $$
Like quality? This ashwagandha root is certified organic,non GMO, and contains withanolide; higher potency exact responsible for a range of health benefits, from physical performance, and thyroid function, to cognitive function. Ashwagandha root tablets from Garden of Life is made with organic fruits and vegetables, each ashwagandha root (withania somnifera) tablet is dosed at 600 mg; a common nootropic dose of ashwagandha root used in brain function, endurance, and blood pressure studies.
This supplement comes in tablet form and is equipped with a Clean Tablet Technology Blend. Your immune system will thank you, the organic ashwagandha root extract is mixed with a small amount of ginger for it’s inflammatory properties and a Probiotic Blend for better bioavailability.
Your wellbeing depends on a good ashwagandha formula. The multiple clinical studies show casing the antioxidant properties abilities to aid your stress response; a calm mind is better at information processing and stress management.
The high potency, organic certification, and active ingredient formula in this ashwagandha product are ready to combat your stress levels. Who would have known this Indian adaptogen herb would have such sought after nootropic effects.
4. New Chapter Magnesium + Ashwagandha Vegetarian Tablets
- Contains magnesium which studies show may help relax and calm the body
- Formula contains ashwagandha
Price: $$
These ashwagandha tablets are made by a well known brand, New Chapter; this product is vegetarian, kosher, and certified gluten-free by NSF.
Combining ashwagandha and magnesium together can make for a potent relaxing and calming combination.
Ashwagandha can often relax the user, with it’s sleep-inducing properties that may improve sleep quality and insomnia.
Best Tea
5. Organic India Tulsi Ashwagandha Tea
- A caffeine free tea to restore and calm
- Contains a blend of powerful herbs like holy basil
6. Vahdam Herbal Tea Turmeric Ashwagandha
- Perfect tea for those on or off the keto diet
- Turmeric for extra added anti inflammatory effects
Best Powder
7. Navitas Superfood+Adaptogen Blend, Organic, Maca+Reishi+Ashwagandha
- Packed full of beneficial herbs like Reishi Mushroom Powder, Cacao Powder, and Ashwagandha Powder.
- Ashwagandha is known as an “adaptogen”, which can help the body cope with daily stress, and as a general tonic.
Price: $
Navitas Superfood + Adaptogen Blend also combines the immune system boosting power of maca, reishi mushroom and cacao, the gold standard of traditional medicine.
This potent adaptogen blend comes in 30 servings and made with only organic ingredients.
On their website, Navitas also mentions this formula is USDA organic, non-gmo, and vegan friendly.
8. Vega Shake, All-in-One, with Ashwagandha Extract, Turmeric Coconut8
- Ashwagandha extract standardized to 5% withanolides
- Users report a stimulating and energizing effect, while still supporting healthy stress levels.
Price: $$–$$$
Vega also offers an entire line of herbal supplements in powdered form, that target various components of health and well-being.
In addition to ashwagandha, each serving of this product contains various other beneficial ingredients.
For example, the Vega Shake, All-in-One, with Ashwagandha Extract, Turmeric Coconut8 product contains ingredients that have been shown to support rheumatoid arthritis, including ground ginger, and turmeric.
Although Vegas’ line of powders contain contain smaller amounts of ashwagandha than your typical Extra Strength product, many users enjoy the multi-ingredient blend.
Note that some of these combo supplements contain herbs that may interact with certain medications, so it’s best to check with your doctor before taking them.
Also users may experience different side effects, simply because the formula contains several herbs and fruits, like Spinach Powder, Acerola Cherry Juice Powder, Chard Powder, and Kale Powder.
Best Capsules
9. Himalaya Herbal Heathcare Organic Ashwagandha Caplets
- Higher dose of the active ingredients when compared to other brands
- Lab tested withanolides,the active ingredient attributed to mental and physical stress benefits
Price: $
This supplement contains 670 mg of ashwagandha root extract containing 2.96 mg of withanolides (0.0044%), the active ingredient said to hold a majority of ashwagandha’s beneficial properties.
The price tends to be lower than most other products simply because the ingredient profile contains several other ingredients that most highest quality brands choose to go without like Microcrystalline Cellulose, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate, Dicalcium Phosphate, all of which may effect the products shelf life and effectiveness.
Shop for Himalaya Herbal Heathcare Organic Ashwagandha Caplets online.
10. Organic India Ashwagandha
- Minimal ingredient formula without any chemical compounds.
- Best selling superfood that the brand, Organic India has to offer
Price: $
This USDA organic formulated ashwagandha supplement from Organic India is made with certified organic herbs and contains no other ingredients aside from the ashwagandha power and the capsule itself.
One serving of Organic India Ashwagandha recorded 800 mg of ashwagandha root extract containing 6.05 mg of withanolides (0.0075%).
The potency of this product may not match that of higher dosed extracts that contain more withanolides , but the quality, the high user reviews, and low price point make up for the lack of potency in each capsule.
FAQs
What is the best brand of Ashwagandha?
We've reviewed several different brands like Himalaya Ashwagandha, Organic India, and Now Foods. Currently we like Garden of Life's Ashwagandha tablets the best.
Which ashwagandha capsule is best?
Customers like the brand Organic India for it's cheap cost and decent quality. The brand also touts it's product may help with thyroid hormone and thyroid function.
How do I choose ashwagandha supplement?
Buying from the top brands is often the best start. They have the best quality control, quality assurance, and third party lab tests. The bigger the sports nutrition brand, the more money they have for quality control and quality assurance, which is important in herbal medicine, as scientific research is still limited and some risk of heavy metals.
What is the supplement Ashwagandha good for?
Most users supplement with ashwagandha for it's touted stress relief effects. Others pair it with theanine, green tea, green tea extract, and rhodiola for an increased therapeutic effect. Claims such as reducing body fat, increasing muscle mass, and increasing strength require more clinical research.
What is the best time to take ashwagandha?
It's recommended to take ashwagandha when you are feeling stressed or before a stressful event such as taking a school exam. Bodybuilders have reported taking ashwagandha before a workout to help with power output on their one rep max squat and bench press.
Does Ashwagandha need black pepper?
No. Black pepper is often touted to boost bioavailability, however the research to back those claims is lacking. Some diets like the carnivore diet even avoid black pepper all together. Products that don't contain black pepper in their formula are often more popular.
Who should not take ashwagandha?
The safety of ashwagandha in pregnancy, lactation, and autoimmune disease has been questioned in the popular literature and some other sources. If you're breastfeeding and/or have autoimmune disease, don't take ashwagandha.
Can you take ashwagandha to help relieve stress?
Studies with lab rats have suggested that ashwagandha may be helpful for reducing the effects of stress, however more research is needed to support these claims. Some studies also point to potential benefits for thyroid disease, but more clinical trail studies are needed on alternative medicine to help fight this medical condition.
Does Ashwagandha help immune system?
Ashwagandha stimulates the immune system and is considered a tonic or adaptogen—an herb with multiple actions that counteract the effects of stress and generally promote wellness. More clinical research studies are needed to confirm ashwagandha's ability to support heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental health.
Does Ashwagandha reverse GREY hair?
All the bioactive compounds within ashwagandha have not been rigorously studied and therefore any hair benefits cannot be confirmed. Currently there are not studies that support this claim and there are no studies showing ashwagandha's ability to reverse grey hair or hair loss.
Does Ashwagandha cause gas?
Given its long and broad history of use, the toxic potential of ashwagandha (withania somnifera) appears to be very low when used in typical doses. Some users have reported feeling bloated or gassy after taking ashwagandha extract. However, this herb and it's alkaloids have not been rigorously studied and therefore side effects cannot be confirmed.
The Bottom Line
With the myriad of dietary supplements and herbal products in the United States, it can be tricky to determine which products are worth spending your money on.
Buying from reputable retailers and looking for ashwagandha supplements made with high quality ingredients can ensure that you’re getting the product possible.
Checking the ingredient label and looking for products that certifications like USDA organic, non-gmo, and have undergone third-party testing can help with quality control.
Now, are you ready to buy ashwagandha supplements?