Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha
About Ashwagandha
About Ashwagandha
A beloved botanical with a broad range of therapeutic benefits
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most treasured botanicals in the ancient medical system of India. In fact, this adaptogenic botanical, often referred to as the Prince of Herbs, is considered a flagship in Ayurvedic herbal medicine – an ancient system of medicine, boasting a broad range of therapeutic benefits.
This botanical has been used for thousands of years to calm the body and improve resilience to stress. Numerous studies cited below support its use for cognitive function, stress, muscle strength, endurance and recovery, glucose metabolism, hormone balance, sexual function, and thyroid health.*
The Thorne Difference
The Thorne Difference
Thorne offers three different forms of ashwagandha. Clinical studies helped inform which patented ashwagandha extract was used, depending on the purpose of the product.
KSM-66
The ashwagandha used in several Thorne products is a full-spectrum, root-only extract – KSM-66®. It contains the highest concentration of withanolides (a series of steroidal saponins) of all major “root only” extracts with more than a 5% concentration of withanolides as measured by HPLC. KSM-66 has been the subject of considerable research.
Shoden®
Shoden® ashwagandha is a clinically studied, highly concentrated extract standardized to an industry-leading 35% withanolide glycoside content. Shoden provides a broad spectrum of bioactive withanolides, extracted from both the root and leaf. Its high concentration of withanolides allows for benefits at lower amounts. Thorne’s stand-alone Ashwagandha, for example, is a 1 capsule/day formula.
NooGandha®
NooGandha® ashwagandha is a patented root and leaf extract formulated to accentuate the particular withanolides that have nootropic and cognitive benefits.*
Products with Ashwagandha
Products with Ashwagandha
The Science
The Science
Endurance and Muscle
Endurance and Muscle
Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2015;12:43.. Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, Sinha SR, Bhattacharyya S
Efficacy of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardio-respiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults.. Journal of Research in Ayurveda 2015;36(1):63-68. . Choudhary B, Shetty A, Langade D
Sleep
Sleep
A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep quality in healthy adults.. Sleep Med. 2020;72:28-36. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2020.03.012.. Deshpande A, Irani N, Balkrishnan R, Benny IR
Sexual Function
Sexual Function
Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in … sexual function in women: a pilot study.. BioMed Research International 2015;2015:284154.. Swati Dongre, Deepak G. Langade, Bhattacharyya S
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in aging, overweight males.. Am J Mens Health. 2019;13(2):1557988319835985.. Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Smith SJ
Clinical evaluation of the spermatogenic activity of the root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in … males: a pilot study.. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013;2013:571420.. Ambiye VR, Langade D, Dongre S, Aptikar P, Kulkami M, Dongre A
Stress
Stress
Body weight management in adults under chronic stress through treatment with ashwagandha root extract: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012;34(3):255-262. . Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Joshi K
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 … in adults.. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine 2012;34(3):255-262.. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S
Adaptogenic and … effects of ashwagandha root extract in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study. . Cureus Journal Of Medical Science 2019 Dec 25;11(12):e6466.. Salve J, Pate S, Debnath Ki, Langade D
An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186.. Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R
Memory and Cognition
Memory and Cognition
Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) dunal) root extract in improving memory and cognitive functions.. Journal of Dietary Supplements 2017;14(6):599-612.. Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Bose S
Safety and efficacy of ashwagandha root extract on cognition, energy and mood problems in adults: prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2024:1-13.. Kale S, Lopresti A, Suri R, et al.
Efficacy of Withania somnifera supplementation on adult's cognition and mood.. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2021;13(2):100510. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2021.08.003.. Remenapp A, Coyle K, Orange T, et al.
Acute ashwagandha supplementation improves cognitive function.. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2020; 17(59): doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00382-5.. Xing D, Yoo C, Rasmussen CJ, et al.
The Science
The Science
Stress
Stress
Body weight management in adults under chronic stress through treatment with ashwagandha root extract: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012;34(3):255-262. . Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Joshi K
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 … in adults.. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine 2012;34(3):255-262.. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S
An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186.. Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R
Sexual Function
Sexual Function
Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in … sexual function in women: a pilot study.. BioMed Research International 2015;2015:284154.. Swati Dongre, Deepak G. Langade, Bhattacharyya S
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in aging, overweight males.. Am J Mens Health. 2019;13(2):1557988319835985.. Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Smith SJ
Clinical evaluation of the spermatogenic activity of the root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in … males: a pilot study.. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2013;2013:571420.. Ambiye VR, Langade D, Dongre S, Aptikar P, Kulkami M, Dongre A
Memory and Cognition
Memory and Cognition
Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) dunal) root extract in improving memory and cognitive functions.. Journal of Dietary Supplements 2017;14(6):599-612.. Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Bose S
Safety and efficacy of ashwagandha root extract on cognition, energy and mood problems in adults: prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2024:1-13.. Kale S, Lopresti A, Suri R, et al.
Efficacy of Withania somnifera supplementation on adult's cognition and mood.. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2021;13(2):100510. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2021.08.003.. Remenapp A, Coyle K, Orange T, et al.
Acute ashwagandha supplementation improves cognitive function.. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2020; 17(59): doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00382-5.. Xing D, Yoo C, Rasmussen CJ, et al.
Sleep
Sleep
A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep quality in healthy adults.. Sleep Med. 2020;72:28-36. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2020.03.012.. Deshpande A, Irani N, Balkrishnan R, Benny IR
Endurance and Muscle
Endurance and Muscle
Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2015;12:43.. Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, Sinha SR, Bhattacharyya S
Efficacy of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardio-respiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults.. Journal of Research in Ayurveda 2015;36(1):63-68. . Choudhary B, Shetty A, Langade D
Our Ingredients
Our Ingredients
Thorne cares deeply about where our ingredients come from. Our
research and development team is tasked with sourcing exceptional
ingredients, maintaining oversight of an ingredient's origin, and
providing complete supply chain transparency.
We partner only with suppliers whose practices emphasize quality,
science, and environmental responsibility. We believe that better
ingredients mean better potency, absorption, and digestibility -
and ultimately better health.
