What to look for and what to avoid when choosing an Ashwagandha supplement
Ashwagandha is a shrub that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine and is considered to be one of the most well-studied herbs in Ayurveda, an ancient system of holistic medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago.
While in the past it was more traditionally used to treat conditions such as rheumatism and constipation, studies have shown Ashwagandha to act as a herbal adaptogen - a plant that can help the body to adapt to stress. What this means is that in recent years, it has become more widely known as a supplement taken by people who are looking to feel more relaxed, calm, and to improve their sleep quality and overall sense of well-being. However, does it live up to the hype?
Ashwagandha products have soared in popularity in Singapore in recent years and are now one of the most popular supplements for people looking to unwind, to feel less anxious and to get a better night’s sleep. With so many ashwagandha supplements available in Singapore, it can be difficult to know which products are worth your money and which are just a waste of time. As such, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide for this exact reason.
What is Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a small evergreen shrub with yellow flowers that gets its unusual name from it's "horse-like" smell - with ‘ashwa’ meaning horse in the ancient language of Sanskrit.
For more than 5,000 years, the extracts or powder from the plant’s root, berries, and leaves have been used to treat a variety of conditions and can help in stress relief, aiding sleep, increasing energy levels and improving concentration.
More traditional Ayurvedic treatments use the entire dried root of the ashwagandha plant, which is turned into powder and is usually steeped in milk.
As well as being an ancient herb, it contains a mix of amino acids, herbs and vitamins that studies have shown can help your body to manage stress, reduce cortisol levels and produce mood-stabilising brain chemicals.
In addition to its botanical name of "Withania Somnifera", ashwagandha is also sometimes known as winter cherry or more commonly, ‘Indian ginseng’ due to is rejuvenating properties, although botanically, ginseng and ashwagandha aren’t actually connected to each other.
Various parts of the ashwagandha plant have been used for medical purposes, but it is the ashwagandha extract that is more beneficial. This extract is an extract from the plant’s roots, and is found in most high-quality supplements as it contains a higher concentration of an active ingredient called withanolides. Withanolides is what provides the long-term benefits of ashwagandha.
Why Take An Ashwagandha Supplement?
Stress & Fatigue*
Difficulty Concentrating*
Poor Memory*
Trouble Sleeping*
Low Libido*
Frequent Illness*
Anxiety*
Joint Pain*
Difficulty Sleeping*
Ashwagandha Supplements: What To Look Out For
With a large number of options in Singapore, it can be difficult to distinguish which brands are effective and which are just trying to take your money.
Fortunately, Superfood Reviews has done extensive research and homework in this area, so that you are not at risk of wasting our hard earned money on low value, misleading or even potentially dangerous products.
When it comes to finding high-quality ashwagandha supplements that deliver results, you should look for the following things:
✓ Root-Only Extract Formulation
Ashwagandha extract can be made from the plant’s leaves, roots, or a mixture of both. It is important to look for an extract that is solely derived from the roots, without any leaf components: a root-only extract is preferable because most independent research studies and clinical trials on the therapeutic effects of Ashwagandha utilize root-only extracts.
✓ KSM-66 Ashwagandha
Don’t settle for low-quality, inferior non-branded ashwagandha. Instead, look for products formulated with premium quality KSM-66 ashwagandha to ensure that you are getting the best possible quality.
At the forefront of ashwagandha ingredients is KSM-66, which has been studied extensively and shown to offer a holistic formulation.
KSM-66 is shown to retain the complex balance and original proportion of all the active chemical constituents found in the raw ashwagandha root. Such a formulation will ensure that you get to enjoy the full range of adaptogenic benefits offered by this multifaceted herb
✓ No Unnecessary Ingredients
The best ashwagandha supplements on the market are the ones that are comprised of healthy, complementary ingredients.
By cutting out the fillers, you can be sure you’re getting a legitimate product with highly concentrated ingredients in its purest form, with no unnecessarily added artificial additives or synthetics.
What You Need to Avoid
✘ High Concentration of Withaferin A
Manufacturers sometimes formulate ashwagandha supplements using leaf extracts in a bid to save on costs. Ashwagandha extracts derived from the leaves have been shown to contain higher levels of Withaferin A (an undesirable cytotoxic compound).
Some manufacturers also fail to clearly assess the actual concentration of this particular compound, so you should opt for well-established formulations like KSM-66 that explicitly indicate negligible levels of Withaferin A.
✘ Unnecessary Additives or Synthetic Fillers
You want to ensure you’re getting a premium product with the optimum concentration of ingredients in their purest form, with no unnecessary synthetic fillers or artificial additives.
✘ Fake Reviews
Thousands of Singaporeans look to Lazada, Shopee or Amazon before purchasing their products, but most don’t realize that up to 60% of their reviews are written by individuals paid to leave positive feedback.
✘ Prioritize Quality Over Price
It’s important to prioritize quality when consuming an ashwagandha supplement, even if that means that you pay a little more for a high-quality product which is safe and effective. Your health is much too valuable to take such a gamble.
THE BEST ASHWAGANDHA SUPPLEMENTS
How We Picked Our Top Choice
Based on our extensive research, the metrics provided by our Superfood Reviews System, interviewing customers and our own comprehensive personal testing, we've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top ashwagandha supplements available today.
We narrowed down different ashwagandha products into our Top 5 and eventually crowned a winner.
PROS
Contains KSM-66 ashwagandha, regarded as the top formulation
Contains complementary ingredients like PharmaGABA® and Camu Camu
No unnecessary ingredients or additives
30-day, 100% satisfaction guaranteed or money back
Rigorously tested for purity and ingredient quality
Made in Taiwan
Manufactured to HACCP and ISO22000 standards
CONS
Only available online
Regularly out-of-stock due to high demand
BOTTOMLINE
The Ashwagandha Lychee drink from The Purest Co takes the number one spot, due to its comprehensive formula and attention to the customer experience.
The drink contains an optimal amount of ashwagandha extract (250mg) using KSM-66, which only uses root extract and is the most researched ashwagandha extract in the market. In addition, the brand has included PharmaGABA in their offering, which complements KSM-66 and has been shown in clinical studies to play a critical role in reducing stress and anxiety.
A large number of our readers resonated with the Ashwagandha Lychee drink and did notice some positive effects with the formula from The Purest Co. Most noted the great taste imparted by the lychee concentrate juice, which helped turn the typically bitter taste of ashwagandha into something that tasted delicious.
A point to note was that the aswagandha lychee drink from The Purest Co was the only ashwagandha concentrated drink we could find in the market. While producing powders and supplements are more affordable, drinks are more costly to produce - for good reason. This cost comes with an increased absorption rate however, as research has shown that liquids trump other form factors such as powders and pills. So while purchasing cheaper alternatives may seem cost-effective, they may not necessarily provide the effects that you are looking for from an ashwagandha supplement.
We like the way that The Purest Co has bucked the trend and formulated an ashwagandha product in a drink form, which enables their customers to best reap the benefits of this adaptogen.
*Results are based on the Superfood Reviews System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
Contains KSM-66 ashwagandha, regarded as the top formulation
Contains complementary ingredients like vitamin D
Made using pectin (vegan friendly) instead of gelatin
Non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free
30-day money back guarantee
CONS
Low concentration of ashwagandha per gummy
Tastes sweet and artificial
Gummies as a form factor are not optimal
Gummies are sticky and inconvenient to consume
BOTTOMLINE
Ashwa gummies by Goli are one of the few if not only options for ashwagandha supplements in gummy form in the market. The interesting form factor helps consumers stick to a regular schedule of ashwagandha consumption due to its convenience.
However, studies have shown that absorption rates through gummies are relatively low vis-a-vis liquids, at about 35-45% versus 90-95% respectively.
Customers who have tried ashwagandha gummies by Goli are split on its taste, with many saying that they are fine with the slightly over-sweet taste, while others find it difficult to finish the bottle after just one gummy. Overall, there is a consensus that the gummies are too sticky which makes getting them out of the bottle difficult, and makes the experience of eating the gummy less than ideal.
As one of the pioneers in gummy supplements, Goli is a brand well-known for producing high quality gummies, perhaps more so in their original product of Apple Cider Vinegar gummies. However, it is safe to say that all their gummies are produced in high-quality facilities and that ingredient safety and processing standards are given much importance.
Additionally, Goli also has a 30-day money back guarantee on both opened and unopened bottles, which is always a good sign that the company stands behind their product.
Customers are however responsible for paying the shipping cost to send back the product, which may not be feasible for overseas orders.
While gummies are easy to eat and are convenient, after comparing the them with concentrated drinks and through extensive customer reviews, we find the drink format more effective in showing results.
*Results are based on the Superfood Reviews System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
Made using organic withania somnifera
Contains complementary ingredients like calcium and vitamin C
No unnecessary ingredients or additives
USDA certified
Highly rated in customer reviews
CONS
No information on ashwagandha source
Powder not necessarily the most optimal form factor
BOTTOMLINE
For those looking for a more cost-effective alternative, Organic Ashwagandha Powder by Just Jaivik fits the bill well. One of the more highly-rated options, the product has an impressive number of reviews which touch on the positive effects it brings.
Most customers appreciate the fact that the powder can be added to their morning coffee or drinks which makes it convenient to keep to a regular schedule. However, as expected with organic ashwagandha powder, the taste leaves much to be desired and is definitely a taste that needs to be acquired or gotten used to.
Another pro would be that the Organic Ashwagandha Powder is made using USDA certified organic herbs that are sustainably sourced and fairly traded. This definitely helps to ensure a high level of ingredient safety.
While the powder form gives consumers flexibility to add the powder to their food or drinks, the absorption rate of the powdered form is inferior to that of liquids.
Overall this product by Just Jaivik is a good option for those looking for affordable organic options.
*Results are based on the Superfood Reviews System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
Contains KSM-66 ashwagandha, regarded as the top formulation
Relatively high concentration of ashwagandha extract per capsule (300mg)
Vegan and made using a vegetarian capsule
No unnecessary ingredients
CONS
Not the best tasting
May be less convenient than other form factors
BOTTOMLINE
The only ashwagandha pill to make the list, Ashwagandha veggie caps by Jarrow Formulas is formulated to be a no-nonsense straight to the point option.
With no unnecessary ingredients or even complementary ingredients whatsoever, Jarrow Formulas has made a cost-effective ashwagandha consumable for the broader market. A relatively high concentration of ashwagandha extract at 300mg per pill lends even more weight to its inclusion in the top 5 list.
One of the major downsides is the lack of information on their website as to where the products are made and nutritional information about the product.
Yet again, the pill as a form factor counts against Jarrow Formulas due to its lower absorption rate.
*Results are based on the Superfood Reviews System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
PROS
Made in the USA
USDA organic
Non-GMO and plant based
CONS
Not the best tasting
May be less convenient than other form factors
BOTTOMLINE
KOS is an up and coming brand from the USA with a range of functional powders and supplements. Their ashwagandha powder has been reviewed relatively highly in online marketplaces and some customers have had some benefits after consumption of their product.
Their powdered supplement is produced in the USA, and it is safe to assume that processing standards are strict for the product. However, their website did not mention any complementary ingredients added into the formulation and did not state how much ashwagandha extract goes into each tub. Additionally, they do not use KSM-66 which we believe is the number one ashwagandha extract in the market today.
While their product is made in a GMP and NSF (third-party) certified facility which ensures quality, we believe that the concentration of ashwagandha would not be as high as the rest of the options on this list.
Lastly, with a form factor such as powder, it may tend to clump up and would result in an inferior absorption rate compared to liquids. It also requires more work to mix it into drinks and typically results in a less than ideal taste experience.
*Results are based on the Superfood Reviews System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
THE BEST PRODUCT OVERALL
After extensive research and testing...
The team has decided that the Ashwagandha drink from The Purest Co is the number one choice in the market today.
While there are a number of cheaper options, we feel that due to the more effective drink format coupled with their use of KSM-66 as well as other complimentary ingredients, the Ashwa Lychee Drink from the brand is our top pick.
Disclaimer: Please note that the effectiveness of the provided information or suggestions may differ for each individual due to varying personal circumstances and other influencing factors.
