Ashwagandha is one of the most emblematic plants of Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine, where its root has been used for millennia. Very popular today, it is also very uneven from one brand to another. Here's how to find your way.
What is ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant of which mainly the root is used. It belongs to the family of so-called "adaptogenic" plants in the Ayurvedic tradition. What matters, when choosing it, is its concentration of active compounds.
Withanolides: the real quality criterion
Withanolides are the reference compounds of ashwagandha root. It is on them that the standardisation of a serious extract rests. An ashwagandha "standardised to X% withanolides" tells you in black and white its concentration — that's exactly what you should look at.
Be wary of products that display no percentage: without this information, it's impossible to know what you're really buying. At Vitalis, our Ashwagandha is standardised to 10% withanolides, a clear, stated concentration.
Which form should you favour?
The capsule remains the simplest and most precise form: a consistent dosage, no preparation, easy to fit into your daily routine. Prefer a vegan capsule with no unnecessary additives.
How to take it?
As a general rule, one daily dose with a large glass of water, consistently. As is often the case with plants, it's consistency over time that counts. Always follow the dose stated on the packaging and do not exceed it.
Precautions
Ashwagandha is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. In case of medical treatment or doubt, seek the advice of a healthcare professional before starting.
Key takeaways
- Look at the percentage of withanolides: it's the number-one quality criterion.
- Avoid extracts that display no concentration.
- Favour a vegan capsule, taken consistently.
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