ConsumerLab Finds Little Ashwagandha in Most Ashwagandha Supplements

White Plains, NY, May 23, 2024 — Ashwagandha is often promoted to decrease stress and anxiety, and improve sleep and cognition. However, ConsumerLab’s recent tests of popular ashwagandha supplements on the market found most contained far less ashwagandha than expected, based on measured amounts of withanolides, the key marker compounds in ashwagandha thought to be responsible for its effects. In fact, some products contained such small amounts of withanolides it’s not clear they would be effective.

Problems Found With Ashwagandha Supplements:

• Most did not contain expected amounts of ashwagandha: Eight of 13 ashwagandha supplements tested by ConsumerLab contained just 7.8% to 83% of the withanolides expected from their labels, with most containing less than half the expected amount. Of note, three of the eight supplements that failed testing contained the same, popular branded ashwagandha extract.
• Price was not an indicator of quality: The cost to obtain 6 mg of withanolides from the products ranged from just 6 cents to $1.77. More expensive products were no more likely to contain their expected amount of ashwagandha than less costly ones.
• Dose matters: Even among products that contained their expected amounts of ashwagandha, some contained a much lower dose of withanolides than has shown benefit in clinical trials.

Among products that passed all testing, ConsumerLab selected two Top Picks among ashwagandha supplements that provide doses of withanolides consistent with efficacy in clinical studies, and at a good value.

Interestingly, the seller of one of the ashwagandha products that failed to pass review by ConsumerLab has claimed that CL used an outdated USP method for testing, which is untrue: ConsumerLab.com used a current, peer-reviewed, validated USP method. This is discussed in the full report.

Access the Full Report:

If you are one of more than 100,000 ConsumerLab members who support ConsumerLab’s research, you can now access the full Ashwagandha Supplements Review.

The report includes test results and comparisons for thirteen ashwagandha products selected for testing by ConsumerLab, including extracts, powders, and combination products: Feel Good Organic Superfoods Ashwagandha Powder, Gaia Herbs Ashwagandha Root, Herb Pharm Ashwagandha – Alcohol free extract, Himalaya Organic Ashwagandha, Life Extension Optimized Ashwagandha, Nature’s Way Ashwagandha, Nootropics Depot Shoden, NOW Ashwagandha 450 mg, Organic India Ashwagandha, Pure Encapsulations Ashwagandha, Root2 KSM-66 Ashwagandha 300 mg, Swanson Ultimate Ashwagandha, and Youtheory Ashwagandha.

As discussed in the review, ashwagandha may modestly reduce anxiety, and improve physical and cognitive performance, but larger studies are needed to confirm these potential benefits. The review explains the differences between ashwagandha root powders and extracts, such as KSM-66 and Shoden, what to look for when choosing a product, dosage, and the best way to take ashwagandha supplements. It also discusses concerns with ashwagandha supplements, including reports of liver injury, other potential side effects, and drug interactions with ashwagandha supplements.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to continually updated reviews of nearly every popular type of dietary supplement and health food, answers to reader questions, and product recalls and warnings. ConsumerLab also provides independent product testing through its voluntary Quality Certification Program. The company is privately held and based in New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.