The Best Ashwagandha Supplements of 2024
Don’t waste your money!
We compare 5 leading brands of the best ashwagandha and explain the conditions it can treat, what to look for – and what to avoid.
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What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha root has been used for thousands of years to help manage stress and anxiety as well as boosting energy.
Part of India’s Ayurvedic medicine cabinet, it’s becoming one of the most popular herbs worldwide.
Benefits of the Best Quality Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha For Stress Management
The number one use of ashwagandha is for stress management. It helps reduce food cravings so it’s loved by stress eaters. People with long-term stress could reduce their levels of cortisol – the “stress hormone” – by as much as 30%, according to research.
Controlling Anxiety and ADHD
Ashwagandha is popular among people with ADHD and anxiety conditions. Many people say it helps them focus, and complete everyday tasks they normally struggle with.
Better Concentration and Memory
Adults enjoyed significantly better general memory, task performance and attention when taking 300mg of ashwagandha root extract twice a day, according to recent research.
Easing Joint Pain From Arthritis
Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help with a variety of painful conditions. It’s a stomach-friendly alternative to prescription drugs for arthritis and joint pain.
What Should I Look For?
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Choose the optimal serving of 550mg+ Organic KSM-66 Ashwagandha
Some ashwagadha supplements simply contain ashwagandha powder from roots and sometimes leaves. The best ashwagandha uses 550mg+ of organic KSM-66 root extract. Why? You will get a measured dose of the active ingredient, called withanolides - look for a percentage on the label.
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The best ashwagandha includes black pepper for better absorption
Black pepper is proven to help you absorb more nutrients as well as ashwagandha.
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Pick organic & third-party tested supplements
The best ashwagandha brands will always get their products third party tested, to ensure purity and to make sure they are toxin-free.
What Should I Avoid?
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Avoid poor formulations with low amounts of withanolides
Many cheap Ashwagandha products use basic powder. The best ashwagandha supplements contain full-spectrum root extract, which is far more effective.
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Don't Fall for Fake Reviews
Only trust verified reviews from an independent review website. Avoid bogus reviews!
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Dodge products not registered as GMP
GMP stands for 'Good Manufacturing Practice' and most reputable brands meet this standard. Products without the GMP badge haven’t been rigorously tested through the manufacturing process.
How We Assessed The 5 Best Ashwagandha Supplements
We have assessed the 5 top-selling best ashwagandha products available. We compiled all the research, summarised data and scored each product based on these important factors:
- Study the formula for quality
- Check active ingredients for effectiveness
- Calculate value for money
- Is there a money-back guarantee?
- Check verified customer reviews
- THE PROS
- Optimal dose per capsule (550mg)
- Best quality KSM-66 root extract
- Free from fillers and binders
- Organic and third party tested
- Black pepper for better absorption
- Vegan friendly
- GMP approved
- Excellent value for money per serving
- THE CONS
- Only available online
- Sometimes out of stock
THE VERDICT ON VITABRIGHT ASHWAGANDHA
VitaBright Ashwagandha scored top marks in almost all categories, including being the best value for money. We rate this the best ashwagandha supplement in our review.
This product uses KSM-66 – the most effective form available, at a high dose and with black pepper to boost absorption.
It is certified organic and third-party guaranteed for purity. It’s also absolutely free from any fillers or unnecessary ingredients.
VitaBright is a widely-trusted brand with a reputation for making good quality products backed by third-party testing. They are GMP-approved and have a “No-Quibble 30-Day Money Back Guarantee”.
- THE PROS
- Contains pure root extract
- Trusted brand
- Vegan friendly
- THE CONS
- Lower than optimal dose per capsule (400mg)
- Doesn’t contain best quality KSM-66 root extract
- Low levels of important active ingredient withanolides (1.5%)
- Poor value for money per serving
- Contains unnecessary fillers and binders
- Not organic or third party tested
THE VERDICT ON SOLGAR ASHWAGANDHA
Solgar offers a basic, trustworthy supplement from a well-known high-street brand that strives for quality.
The advantages of this brand are that it uses root extract, and comes in an amber glass bottle to prevent product degradation. Some of the dosage comes from simple ashwagandha powder, which makes it hard to quantify the level of active ingredient per capsule.
Solgar makes a lot of claims about quality, but its products aren’t organic or third-party tested.
The capsules contain quite a list of undesirable fillers, which don’t offer any health benefits. It is also expensive compared to many alternatives.
- THE PROS
- Free from fillers and binders
- Well-known brand
- Good value for money per serving
- Vegan friendly
- Organic
- THE CONS
- Lower than optimal dose per capsule (340mg)
- Doesn’t contain best quality KSM-66 root extract
- No standardised amount of important active ingredient withanolides
- Not third-party tested
THE VERDICT ON FUSHI ASHWAGANDHA
If budget is your priority, this is an option worth considering. Sold by Boots, another plus for this product is its easy availability.
It gives a lower dose of the active ingredient than the other products we reviewed. What’s more, it contains ashwagandha powder rather than root extract. This means you can’t be sure of the dose of withanolides you will be getting in each capsule.
We like that fact this product is free from fillers and binders and is organic certified.
- THE PROS
- Good dose per capsule
- Contains pure root extract
- Standardised amount of withanolides
- Well-known brand
- Vegan friendly
- THE CONS
- Contains unnecessary fillers and binders
- Doesn't contain best quality KSM-66 root extract
- Not organic or third-party tested
- Low value for money
THE VERDICT ON HOLLAND & BARRETT ASHWAGANDHA
Sold by popular retailer Holland & Barrett, this is a basic Ashwagandha product that doesn’t use premium ingredients.
We like the fact it contains a standardised root extract, which means the amount of withanolides per capsule is consistent. It gives a good dose of this active ingredient.
It contains anti-caking agents and unnecessary binders and fillers, and isn’t certified organic. This product is expensive and has the lowest value for money rating in our list.
- THE PROS
- Contains root extract
- Boosted with B6 & magnesium
- Gummy that's easy to take and tastes good
- Vegan friendly
- THE CONS
- Low dose per gummy (150mg)
- Doesn’t contain best quality KSM-66 root extract
- Contains glazing agents & suger
- Not organic or third party tested
THE VERDICT ON MYVITAMINS ASHWAGANDHA
We have included this popular ashwagandha gummy, which is a great option for people who have difficulty swallowing tablets.
It’s also boosted with vitamin B6 and magnesium, which are helpful nutrients for dealing with stress.
Although these gummies are made with root extract, the amount is such a low dose that they are far from being good value for money. We think you would have to take far more than the suggested 2-a-day serving to get the same benefits as other products. This means it’s far from being the best value for money in our list.
As with all gummies, the product contains sugar, glazing agents and a few other additives.
Cautions
Like all herbal remedies, ashwagandha contains active compounds which can interact with other medications or have side effects.
- Don’t take ashwagandha if you are pregnant, as it has not been proven to be safe.
- There isn’t enough reliable information to know if ashwagandha is safe to use when breast-feeding, so stay on the safe side and avoid it.
- Ashwagandha might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using ashwagandha.
- Ashwagandha may slow down the central nervous system, increasing the effect of a general anaesthetic. You should stop taking ashwagandha at least two weeks before any operation and be sure to tell your surgeon you have been using it.
- Ashwagandha might increase thyroid hormone levels. Speak to your doctor, or avoid it, if you have a thyroid condition.
Sources
Scientific Basis for the Therapeutic Use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): A Review, Lakshmi-Chandra Mishra, MD
(Ayur), PhD, Betsy B. Singh, PhD, Simon Dagenais, BA
American Journal of Men’s Health: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the
Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males
For more detail on Ashwagandha drug interaction cautions and possible side-effects, visit the Medline Plus page on Ashwagandha.
For more general information, check out Withania somnifera on Wikipedia
Health and safety Executive: Working Days Lost in Great Britain
KSM-66 Ashwagandha: Selecting the Right Ashwagandha Supplier