Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Extract 5% - 10G

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract 5% withanolides - 10 g

This package contains 10 g of powdered extract from the root of ashwagandha, standardized to 5% withanolides. Standardization is the most important information here, and it is worth understanding what it exactly means: it declares what percentage of the extract’s mass is made up of withanolides, a group of steroid lactones considered the active ingredients of this raw material. Without such a declaration, the name “ashwagandha extract” says little, as extracts can differ in concentration by several times, and comparing them by mass leads nowhere.

The plant, known in Polish as witania ospała or Indian ginseng, belongs to the nightshade family, and the herbal raw material is the dried root. The plant has a long tradition of use in Ayurveda, and modern herbal studies classify it as an adaptogen. You measure the dose yourself, and the reference point in this matter (the limit of withanolides indicated by the Dietary Supplements Team) is described below.

Ingredients

The raw material in this package:

• Extract from the root of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), standardized to 5% withanolides
• Form: fine powder

The declaration of “5% withanolides” allows you to compare this extract with another extract, provided that the latter also states its standardization; comparing a standardized extract with powdered root gram for gram makes no sense, as these are two different raw materials with different concentrations. The second reference point is regulatory.

The Dietary Supplements Team in resolution no. 7/2020 of February 7, 2020, indicated that the maximum content of withanolides cannot exceed 10 mg in the recommended daily serving of the product, and powdered root of Withania somnifera can be used in an amount below 3 g per day. Both values come from the same resolution and both refer to daily consumption, not to the content of the package.

Also, pay attention to what the resolution refers to: the limit of 3 g refers to powdered root, not to the standardized extract, so it should not be transferred to this package.

Specification

How to use

The powdered extract dissolves poorly in cold water, so in practice, it is mixed with a thicker carrier.

• Measure the dose on a jewelry scale, not with a spoon - the powder differs in bulk density between batches
• Mix in warm milk, plant drink, smoothie, or yogurt, not in a glass of cold water
• The taste is distinctly earthy and bitter - this is a normal feature of the raw material, not a defect of the batch
• Do not exceed the limit of withanolides indicated by the Dietary Supplements Team
• Close the package after each use and keep it away from moisture

For whom

Ten grams is an amount for someone who already knows ashwagandha and knows how to incorporate it into their routine, but does not want to buy a large package yet. It will work if you make your own adaptogenic blends, add the extract to your morning cocoa or evening milk-based drink, or if you use it in cycles rather than daily throughout the year.

The loose form gives control over the portion size but requires a scale - a spoon is too imprecise here, as the bulk density of the powder changes between batches, and the difference between a flat and heaped spoon cannot be ignored with this raw material. The product is not intended for children, pregnant women, or breastfeeding mothers.

In cases of thyroid disease, autoimmune diseases, taking immunosuppressive medications, as well as sedatives, sleeping pills, and anticonvulsants, consult the use with a doctor before taking the first dose of this extract. This also applies to people with liver diseases.

Frequently asked questions

How many withanolides can be consumed in a day?

The Dietary Supplements Team in resolution no. 7/2020 of February 7, 2020, indicated that the maximum content of withanolides cannot exceed 10 mg in the recommended daily serving of the product. The same resolution allows powdered root in an amount below 3 g per day. The first value refers to withanolides, the second to the root raw material.

What to consider when measuring the dose?

The limit indicated by the Dietary Supplements Team: the maximum content of withanolides cannot exceed 10 mg in the recommended daily serving of the product. Measure the dose according to the recommendation of the preparation or recipe in which you use the extract, and weigh it on a jewelry scale, as the bulk density of the powder changes between batches.

How does the extract differ from powdered root?

Powdered root is ground plant raw material, while the extract is a concentrate in which the content of active substances has been concentrated and brought to the declared level - here 5% withanolides. These are two different raw materials and should not be used interchangeably measure for measure, as they differ in concentration.

Is “5% withanolides” a lot?

This value falls within the typical range for standardized extracts of ashwagandha, but the percentage alone does not say everything - it counts together with the amount of extract you measure. Therefore, compare both numbers at once, the standardization and the mass of the portion, and remember the limit of withanolides indicated by the Dietary Supplements Team.

Variants and category

You can find the full offer in the Herbs category.

Related articles

More context on the blog: ashwagandha in drops or capsules and introduction to adaptogens for beginners.

Safety and storage

The Dietary Supplements Team recommends that the labeling of products containing Withania somnifera include a warning with the following content: the product should not be consumed in case of taking sedative, sleeping, and anticonvulsant medications, do not use in children, pregnant women, and during lactation. Additionally, there are situations where medical sources recommend caution or advise against ashwagandha: thyroid diseases, autoimmune diseases, taking immunosuppressive medications, and liver diseases.

The described side effects primarily concern gastrointestinal complaints, and there have also been isolated cases of liver damage. If you are taking any medications regularly, consult the use with a doctor. Store the package tightly closed, in a dry, cool, and dark place, out of reach of children.

Do not exceed the daily portion established by the manufacturer of the preparation in which you use this raw material. Herbal extract does not replace a varied diet or a healthy lifestyle.

Not sure how this extract compares to the encapsulated preparations you already know? Write or call - at u Bucha we advise before the purchase, not after it.