Best Ashwagandha Supplements

Some research suggests that ashwagandha holistically benefits brain health. Formerly known as one of Eastern medicine’s best-kept secrets, ashwagandha reached mainstream success not too long ago — although it’s existed for decades. The Ayurvedic herb can offer calming and mood-enhancing effects. 

Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, sleep issues, or even skincare problems, the supplement is a natural remedy that can help. Ashwagandha’s growing popularity caused demand to skyrocket, prompting many nootropics brands to release their own ashwagandha offerings.

The overwhelming amount of supplements available means it can be challenging to pick one. We narrowed it down with our top choices so you don’t have to. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best ashwagandha supplements on the market. 

Best ashwagandha supplements overview:

• Best overall: Nootropics Depot Shoden Ashwagandha Extract Powder
• Best budget: YouTheory Ashwagandha
• Best tasting: XWERKS Ashwa
• Best for stress relief: Organic India Ashwagandha
• Best organic: Himalaya Organic Ashwagandha
• Best for sleep: Tribe Organic KSM-66 Ashwagandha
• Best for anxiety relief: Nature Made Wellblends Calm & Relax
• Best for energy: Viva Naturals Organic Ashwagandha
• Best for weight control: Nutraville Helix-4

How we chose the best ashwagandha supplements

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including formulations, dosages, and more to create a short list of the top ashwagandha supplements. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best ashwagandha supplements for each category.

Our picks for the best ashwagandha supplements

The purified and clinically-tested extract known as Shoden comes from carefully-selected ashwagandha roots and leaves. This life-changing extract can relieve stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation. 

The powder contains eight key withanolide glycosides and withanoside X at high levels, which explains its high potency and bioavailability at such low doses. It’s also a vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO formula.

Shoden offers 35% of withanolide glycosides, a bioactive compound of ashwagandha. Some product users have complained that there’s little clarity on the supplement’s exact dosage of withanolide, though. But that doesn’t stop us from selecting it as the best overall ashwagandha supplement — we love it for its versatility and multiple health benefits in one.

Type: Powder | Recommended daily dosage: 120 milligrams, 2-3 times daily

Keep calm and shed mental and physical stress with YouTheory’s clinically-supported Ashwagandha supplement. For $20.95, one bottle contains 60 vegetarian capsules loaded with KSM-66. That’s a fairly reasonable price given the formula’s 600 milligrams of KSM-66 per serving. 

KSM-66 is an extremely potent, root-only ashwagandha extract. The high-concentration extract is clinically proven to reduce stress when taken regularly. Compared to the other contenders on this list, you won’t find 60-capsule bottles at this price with KSM-66 and additional ingredients to further amplify the benefits (e.g., organic ashwagandha root powder and ginger root extract). 

You can find this product online and at some drugstores. While it’s dairy free, gluten free, and soy free, the supplements are manufactured in a facility that processes fish extracts, so it’s not entirely vegan. There’s no daily value established per ingredient, either.

Type: Capsules | Recommended daily dosage: 2 capsules

For those of you who prefer chewable gummies over swallowing tablets and capsules whole, XWERKS Ashwa might be more your style. These vegan gummies come in a tasty strawberry flavor and they were manufactured in an FDA-certified facility. 

We love this formula because it has more to offer than the expected benefits of ashwagandha (e.g., reduced stress, better sleep, etc.) — XWERKS Ashwa also claims to improve physical performance. Take advantage of the brand’s 30-day refund policy to test it out and determine if it’s right for you.

A few things to note, though: It contains glucose syrup and there’s currently only one flavor available. Pregnant or nursing parents should also refrain from taking these gummies.

Type: Gummies | Recommended daily dosage: 1-2 gummies

All ashwagandha supplements offer stress relief to some degree. If you’re looking for a good stress-buster, try Organic India Ashwagandha. The brand sustainably grows and processes pure ashwagandha. Each dosage can help you stress less and enjoy a good night’s rest. It also has favorable effects on the immune system. 

Of course, this product isn’t for everyone (like pregnant or nursing parents). We recommend consulting with a doctor before adding this supplement to your regular routine to avoid any negative reactions.

Type: Capsules | Recommended daily dosage: 2 capsules

Himalaya’s Organic Ashwagandha is a clean, dairy-free, and vegan option. These USDA Organic caplets are even free of animal gelatin. One bottle offers a one-month supply of ashwagandha, and each caplet costs about $0.50 — a pretty good deal.
The large caplet size might be a turn-off for those who have a tough time swallowing large-sized pills, though, and the taste is hit or miss. It’s one of those things that may not taste good to you, but it’s certainly good for you.

Type: Caplets | Recommended daily dosage: 1 caplet (before eating)

If you’ve been having trouble sleeping lately, we recommend the Tribe Organics KSM-66 Ashwagandha (Full Spectrum). It’s formulated to promote quality sleep and minimize stress and tiredness. The formula’s potency is due to its high concentration of full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract and the additional 5% of withanolides present. 

The capsule form is easy to swallow, so incorporating them into your diet won’t add much time to your daily routine. This product also comes in a vegan version, eliminating the milk pre-treatment.

Efficacy may depend on your allergens and other supplements/medications you’re taking. If necessary, seek guidance from a medical professional before use.

Type: Capsules | Recommended daily dosage: 2 capsules

Nature Made created a “new and improved” version of its supplement, which was formerly known as Calm and Relax. The rebooted version (Wellblends Calm & Relax) can help ease stress when anxiety escalates. 

The 2-in-1 blend is formulated with 300 milligrams of magnesium and 125 milligrams of SENSORIL Ashwagandha, a clinically-proven duo to help you relax and lower stress levels. It’s also a clean formula free of artificial flavoring, colors, and preservatives, but as you may assume, it taints the taste.

Type: Capsules | Recommended daily dosage: 2 capsules

We know that ashwagandha can get stress down, but can it give you an energy boost? Apparently, Viva Naturals Organic Ashwagandha can. The formula supports immune health and cellular protection and doesn’t contain any dairy or gluten. 

Made with organic ashwagandha, this supplement can significantly improve your stamina and mood. This formula’s organic black pepper extract magnifies ashwagandha’s stress reduction benefits. But of course, if you’re allergic to ashwagandha or black pepper extract, avoid it entirely.

Type: Tablets | Recommended daily dosage: 3 tablets

Nutraville’s Helix-4 supplement promotes healthy weight control, and its mood-boosting properties can help put you in the right mindset to stay active. The daily serving size of two capsules is enough to help you maintain a healthy weight with its ability to absorb fat and carbs and curb cravings.

It’s not the ashwagandha alone that produces this result, though. Engrained in the formula is a lipase inhibitor (and a few other ingredients) that collectively support healthy weight loss. If you have a medical condition, it’s best that you find an alternative.

Type: Capsules | Recommended daily dosage: 2 capsules

Ashwagandha: a suitable stress-buster

The Glowsly team awards Nootropics Depot as the best overall ashwagandha supplement, and by now, you can probably see why. Its phenomenal Shoden Ashwagandha Extract Powder is worth the investment for improved stress management and sleep quality. However, other suitable contenders on our list are also worth a try, depending on your goals.

How to pick the right ashwagandha supplements for you

When deciding on your go-to product, there are a few factors to consider. We’ve outlined some for you to make the decision-making process more manageable. 

Formulations

• Ashwagandha content. Note the percentage of ashwagandha in the formula. Higher percentage formulas may be best for enhanced physical performance, while formulas with a mild to high percentage can help improve stress, anxiety, and sleep quality. 
• Additional ingredients. Consider the formula’s other present ingredients. Bioavailability enhancers, like black pepper extract and ginger, can further amplify ashwagandha’s benefits. 
• Allergen-resistance. Confirm whether the supplement is vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, or dairy free to gauge its allergen resistance.

Dosages

• Daily serving size. How does the serving size compare to the common daily dosage for your health goals? Dosages of as little as 250 to 600 milligrams per day can help reduce stress and anxiety, whereas 750 to 1,250 daily milligrams are reported to have favorable effects on physical performance and muscle strength.
• Label accuracy. Consider the level of transparency with supplemental specifics. It helps to know the number of milligrams or grams per ingredient so you can determine whether the dosage suits your goals. 

Intent of intake

• Goals. What health goals do you hope to accomplish with ashwagandha? Do you want to stress less, sleep better, or boost athletic performance?
• Benefits. Do the supplement’s benefits align with your health goals? For instance, if you’re looking to manage your weight better, you’ll want to take supplements with added weight-control benefits. 

FAQs

What are the benefits of ashwagandha supplements?

Ashwagandha offers a range of health benefits, with the most popular being its calming impact on the nervous system. As an adaptogen, ashwagandha can help stabilize your body’s mental and physical stress responses. Ashwagandha may also relieve anxiety and insomnia.

How long does it take for ashwagandha supplements to work?

You may have to wait a while for ashwagandha to kick in, especially after initially introducing it to your diet. The time it takes to feel the effects could range from weeks to months with routine consumption. Dosage and potency also play a role when determining how long it takes.

What are the side effects of ashwagandha supplements?

Regarding oral consumption of ashwagandha, users may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and related stomach health issues when taken in larger doses.