It may be marketed for stress and sleep, but ashwagandha does a whole lot more than that.
For thousands of years, ayurvedic practitioners have been taking advantage of the herb’s diuretic, stimulant, and even aphrodisiac qualities, among many others.
This is why we made sure to showcase this ancient remedy’s versatility when narrowing down our favorite ashwagandha supplements, whether it’s a lone extract or a more advanced formulation.
| Best Overall  | Best Nootropic Stack  | Best Gummies  |
| Description: Powered by organic, fermented ashwagandha and black pepper, this innovative stress-supporting supplement is engineered for absorption. | Description: This extremely well-researched and balance nootropic stack pairs ashwagandha with L-theanine, Holy Basil, and more. | Description: Besides the fact gummies are fun, these are filled with the gold standard of ashwagandha (KSM-66), which is readily absorbable. |
Powered by organic, fermented ashwagandha and black pepper, this innovative stress-supporting supplement is engineered for absorption.
This extremely well-researched and balance nootropic stack pairs ashwagandha with L-theanine, Holy Basil, and more.
Besides the fact gummies are fun, these are filled with the gold standard of ashwagandha (KSM-66), which is readily absorbable.
| Product | Ashwagandha per serving | Cost |
| Ancient Nutrition Organic Ashwagandha | Not listed (proprietary blend) | $29.95 for 30 servings |
| Qualia Resilience | 225mg/serving | $52 for 20 servings (28-day supply) |
| Goli Ashwagandha Gummies | 300mg/serving | $21.98 for 30-60 servings (60ct, 1-2 per serving) |
| NOW Ashwagandha 450 mg | 450mg/serving | $22.95 for 60-90 servings (180ct, 2-3 per day) |
| Garden of Life mykind Organics Adrenal Daily Balance | 150mg/serving | $32.19 for 60 servings |
| Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Mood Probiotics | Not listed (proprietary blend) | $33.59 for 30 servings |
Best for: Fighting everyday stress and maintaining optimal energy levels
We’re starting in the middle ground between ashwagandha-only extracts and more complex formulations with Ancient Nutrition Organic Ashwagandha, which contains an “Organic Fermented Botanical Blend” of these ingredients:
The black pepper fruit—along with the fermentation—is to help the ashwagandha absorb more efficiently upon consumption.
Though it wasn’t their first intention for the ingredient, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of black pepper (active ingredient: piperine) nicely complement the stress-relieving properties of the ashwagandha.
Aside from being duly impressed by Ancient Nutrition as a whole, we are particularly fond of this organic ashwagandha product for the extra care they took in ensuring its quality and absorbability.
Best for: Potent and well-rounded defense against stress, especially as related to work tasks.
We won’t call it a footnote, but ashwagandha certainly isn’t the only trusty herb adorning the ingredient list of Qualia Resilience, one of the best adaptogen blends we’ve reviewed.
Here are just a few of the adaptogens included in the formulation:
The ashwagandha—225 mg of it per serving—is set apart by its liposomal delivery system.
Liposomes are cell-like vesicles made from fats (lipids) that enhance a substance’s absorption into the body by ferrying it within the vesicle to places it otherwise could not reach.
Between the highly absorbable form of ashwagandha and the well-researched cast of supporting nootropics enhancing its benefits, we couldn’t help but throw Qualia Resilience in the mix for the best ashwagandha supplement out there.
Best for: Managing stress, immunity, and more
Our tip of the hat to the ashwagandha purist, believe it or not, takes the form of a gummy (hear us out).
The main reason we’re particularly fond of Goli Ashwagandha Gummies involves the form of ashwagandha they use: KSM-66.
KSM-66 is the true gold standard of the ashwagandha supplement market, as this extract contains the highest and most readily absorbable concentration of ashwagandha while retaining the proportionality of the naturally occurring compounds within the herb.
If we can be honest, the other reason we like Goli ashwagandha is because—come on. Gummies are fun.
Speaking of, Goli’s gummies are sweetened and colored with the good stuff: organic tapioca syrup, organic cane sugar, natural flavors, and organic fruit and vegetable juice.
Best for: Anyone looking for an easy-to-use stress and immunity support supplement.
Having personally spoken with the VP of Global Sales and Marketing for our NOW Foods review, we know that NOW follows industry-leading standards of quality, R&D, testing, and more throughout their 1,400-strong catalog of health and wellness products.
Hence, we recommend this simple, but potent ashwagandha extract for anyone looking for a reliable and highly affordable way to use high-quality ashwagandha every day.
Each non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free capsule delivers an above-average 450 mg of ashwagandha, but if you’re accustomed to ashwagandha, you can take between 2-3 servings a day.
And here’s an important detail that many supplements miss: NOW Ashwagandha contains a minimum withanolide concentration of 2.5%.
Withanolides are the active ingredient in ashwagandha, and concentrations above 2% are more likely to impart discomfort- and stress-relieving benefits.
Best for: Building on the stress-relieving properties of ashwagandha with pro-digestive and mood-stabilizing benefits.
The ingredients can seem a bit out there at first, but once you realize what Garden of Life Mykind Organics Adrenal Daily Balance is targeting functionally (mood, digestion, and stress), it couldn’t be more relatable.
To get this done, Garden of Life uses an Organic Adrenal Blend—that’s where the ashwagandha is—in addition to a probiotic blend, a B complex blend, and several other micronutrients.
All of this is wrapped up in a USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified herbal supplement that stays away from artificial ingredients and/or harsh preservatives.
Clearly, this is a more nuanced case of ashwagandha use, but if you’re looking for a natural way to improve your mood and/or digestion while still targeting stress, this supplement does everything right on the formulation front.
Best for: Stress, immunity, and digestion.
“What’s with the probiotics, man? Isn’t this an ashwagandha article?”
Here’s the deal: the distance between the gut and the brain is much closer than you think.
As scientists are still uncovering, the gut-brain axis is a two-way highway between the central nervous system and the “gut microbiota,” or the billions of bacteria that live in your stomach.
The condition of the bacteria in your gut actually signals key changes in the brain, often relating to anxiety, depression, and other central nervous system disorders.
Long story short, by keeping your micro-colony of intestinal bacteria healthy and happy with probiotics, you can significantly impact your mental health, and Dr. Formulated Mood Probiotics is perfectly situated to do that with a hefty helping of probiotics and ashwagandha for added support.
We certainly haven’t reviewed or tested every ashwagandha product out there, but Ancient Nutrition Organic Ashwagandha is the best we’ve come across.
First and foremost, if you have any questions or concerns, consult with your physician.
As for what to look for in a product, the above article and this guide to ashwagandha can help you narrow down your criteria.
Ashwagandha does not have an official recommended daily allowance (RDA).
Concentrations used in studies vary widely, from as low as around 200 mg to upwards of 1,500 mg a day.
If you’ve never used it before, starting towards the lower end of this spectrum and adjusting as appropriate will reduce the risk of adverse effects.
Ashwagandha generally does not create a heavily stimulating or sedating effect, meaning you can take it whenever it is most appropriate for your preferences and/or plans.
Some take it in the morning to manage stress at work, others take it at night to wind down peacefully.
Some research says within a week, some says 2-3 weeks, and some says as much as 10 weeks.
It also depends on what you’re measuring.
Some markers (cortisol levels, blood sugar, etc.) take longer to respond to herbal supplements than others.
We wish we could be less vague!
Most sources recommend that people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, affected by a serious illness, or on any medication that can affect the immune system should avoid taking ashwagandha and/or consult a physician on the matter.
Ashwagandha is generally tolerable, but may interact with certain drugs, especially those that regulate immune functions.
Remember, not all ashwagandha is created equal. The form (e.g., KSM-66 ashwagandha), preparation, and delivery method can all influence results.
Though they seem unrelated, probiotics and ashwagandha are the perfect pairing, since the condition of gut flora has been shown to influence stress, anxiety, and more.
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