The hashtag #Ashwagandha has a whopping 675+ million views.1 Why is an ancient herb the latest viral health trend on TikTok?
One reason: It offers powerful support for occasional stress, which we can all use these days.* And that’s not all. Keep reading to explore the many health benefits of ashwagandha. Plus, discover its origins and explore Solaray's potent new ProSorb Ashwagandha formula, expertly designed for 18X absorption and peak bioavailability.† We’re happy to say this powerful adaptogen isn’t just a fad.
What Is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an evergreen shrub cultivated in tropical areas of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It’s also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry, and it has been revered as an adaptogenic herb in traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine systems for thousands of years. In fact, it’s one of the most important herbs of Ayurveda. The use of ashwagandha root has been documented in various ancient Ayurvedic texts, the oldest being the Kasyapa-Samhita from 600 A.D.2
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are herbs and other plant substances, like mushrooms, that can help you better adapt to occasional biological, physical, or chemical stressors.
In order for a plant to be considered an adaptogen it must: help your body cope with circumstantial stress, be nontoxic when taken at recommended doses, and help your body to return to homeostasis (balance).
The term “adaptogen” was first used in the 1940s by a Russian scientist as a way to describe the properties of Schisandra chinensis, or the Chinese magnolia vine plant. Fast forward to 2021, when the word is on the tip of everyone’s tongues and ashwagandha becomes the seventh most purchased supplement, according to the American Botanical Council. Sales of this adaptogen rose 226% from the year prior, the largest growth of any supplement the council surveyed.3
Other adaptogens have certainly gained popularity in recent years as well, including the herb that inspired the term, schizandra, along with rhodiola, holy basil, American ginseng, and chaga mushroom. We include several of these and other adaptogens in our SharpMind nootropics formulas.
What Are the Benefits of Ashwagandha?
A growing body of research now backs up what people have known for centuries: Ashwagandha can help you find a sense of serenity when you need it most.* But that’s not all. There are numerous other well-documented benefits of ashwagandha.
Though more research is needed to paint an even better picture of all this remarkable herb is capable of, it’s clear that ancient Ayurvedic practitioners were onto something. And we can certainly say that ashwagandha powerfully supports health and wellness in numerous ways.
Solaray Ashwagandha Supplements: Backed By Science
Much ashwagandha research has revolved around two proprietary extracts, the KSM-66 mentioned above and another called Shoden®, which has been found to offer enhanced absorption and bioavailability. At Solaray, we prioritize scientifically backed ingredients whenever possible—and always triple test and lab verify—so you can feel confident you're getting the support you need. That’s why you’ll find both of these clinically studied extracts in many of our formulas.
Our ProSorb Ashwagandha delivers 240 mg of Shoden Ashwagandha, supplying 84 mg (35%) withanolide glycosides, for 18X more absorption and powerful occasional stress, mood, relaxation, and healthy sleep support.†*
Its broad array of withanolide glycosides, the herb’s beneficial compounds, are what make Shoden so unique and so effective: A double-blind, crossover study of Shoden demonstrated a longer half-life in the blood, as well as longer residence times (>24 hours) than other forms. Importantly, it found that there is no bioequivalence between other types of ashwagandha and Shoden, even when compared by normalizing to the same withanolide content. This indicates that the enhanced bioavailability of Shoden is due to its unique withanolide glycosides, and not just the total percentage of withanolides.9
Shoden Ashwagandha is also an important ingredient in our SharpMind Sleep and SharpMind Stress formulas, where it provides essential support for a healthy sleep cycle and a healthy response to occasional stress, respectively.*
Clinically backed KSM-66 anchors our doctor-formulated her life STAGES Libido supplement, which is designed to help women sustain the spark across all adult life stages.* It’s made without hormones or soy and crafted to support enhanced arousal, natural lubrication, and sexual satisfaction.* It’s also designed to support mental energy and occasional stress to help you find the right mindset for intimacy.*
Potential Side Effects of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha offers excellent support, but like all supplements, we recommend you talk to your doctor before beginning a new routine. People with certain health conditions or taking certain medications may be advised not to take ashwagandha.
Some people report mild stomach upset when using ashwagandha. However, this long-trusted herb is considered to be safe for regular use over the course of three months and likely longer, though research is not yet available around prolonged consumption.10
Ancient Adaptogen Made Modern
Humans have relied on ashwagandha for thousands of years, and it’s no surprise that modern science backs up its powerful effects. And it’s no wonder this adaptogen is trending in today’s fast-paced and often challenging world. Expertly formulated, high-quality supplements are a reliable way to reap the benefits of ashwagandha.
From ProSorb Ashwagandha 18X Absorption to STAGES Libido, Solaray offers ashwagandha in single-herb formulas and expert blends to meet your needs.
It’s safe to say, ashwagandha is here to stay.
Resources
1. Conor Murray. “What To Know About Ashwagandha” Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/03/10/what-to-know-about-ashwagandha-the-herbal-supplement-blows-up-on-tiktok-without-much-medical-research-support.
2. P.V. Tewari. Kasyapa Samhita or Vrddhajivakiya Tantra Text with English Translation and Commentary. (2018), Chaukhambha Visvabharati.
3. Kate Hull. “A traditional herbal supplement is skyrocketing in popularity. It may help with stress, anxiety, and sleep.” Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/doctor-takes-supplement-ashwagandha-stress-anxiety-sleep-2023-10
4. Lopresti AL, Smith SJ. “Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) for the Treatment and Enhancement of Mental and Physical Conditions: A Systematic Review of Human Trials.” Journal of Herbal Medicine 2021;28:100434.
5. Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., Anishetty, S. “A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults.” (2012). Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3), 255.
6. Choudhary, D., Bhattacharyya, S., Bose, S. “Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions” (2017). Journal of Dietary Supplements, 1-14.
7. Swati Dongre, Deepak Langade & Sauvik Bhattacharyy, “Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study,” BioMed Research International (2015), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26504795.
8. Cheah KL, Norhayati MN, Husniati Yaacob L, Abdul Rahman R. “Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Extract on Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” PLoS One 2021;16:e0257843.
9. Se-Kwon Kim, Jayachandran Venkatesan, Priyank Rathi, Benny Antony “Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extracts – A Double Blind, Crossover Study in Healthy Adults.” Heliyon. 9 (2023) e22843.
10. “Use of ashwagandha skyrockets in the United States” UCLA Health. https://uclahealth.org/news/article/use-ashwagandha-skyrockets-united-states
Shoden is a registered trademark of Arjuna Natural Pvt. Ltd.
KSM-66 Ashwagandha is a registered trademark of Ixoreal Biomed Inc.