Natural Health & Wellness

What Does Ashwagandha Do? The 7 Documented Benefits + 3 Best Picks

What Does Ashwagandha Do? The 3 Best to Try

Everyone hopes to live a long and healthy life. This is much easier said than done and certainly isn’t an exact science. It helps to be aware of all the available options and methods that might help increase your health and wellbeing. This article will uncover an option that you may not have considered or been aware of and why it might just change your life for the better.

Find Your Ashwagandha Match

Ashwagandha is not one-size-fits-all. The right dose, form, and timing depend on which goal you are after. Pick the primary goal — the decoder returns the dose, timing, extract type, what to pair it with, and when to expect change.

The deeper pattern

Ashwagandha lowers cortisol — but what is keeping cortisol high in the first place?

Chronic toxic burden is a major driver of HPA-axis dysregulation. The body reads heavy metal exposure, mold, plastics, and chronic infection as ongoing stress — keeping cortisol elevated even when life feels calm. Ashwagandha addresses the symptom; addressing the upstream burden addresses the cause. The two together work much better than either alone.

The 90-second Toxic Load Quiz maps which exposure pattern is most likely keeping cortisol stuck up.

Adrenal-cortisol exhaustion mimics so many other things — heavy metal burden, parasite drain, mold inflammation — that telling them apart from symptoms alone is almost impossible. The protocols are very different. Adaptogens won't fix metals, binders won't fix burnout. The 2-minute What's Draining Your Brain Tool places you in one of four root causes so the protocol you commit to actually matches what's driving your fatigue.

The research

  • Cortisol reduction: 300mg KSM-66 twice daily reduced serum cortisol by 27.9% vs placebo over 8 weeks (Chandrasekhar et al., 2012).
  • Anxiety reduction: 600mg daily reduced Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores significantly vs placebo (Salve et al., 2019).
  • Sleep quality: 300mg KSM-66 improved sleep onset latency and overall sleep quality (Langade et al., 2019).
  • Strength + testosterone: 600mg KSM-66 increased muscle strength, recovery, and testosterone in resistance-training men over 8 weeks (Wankhede et al., 2015).
  • VO2max + endurance: 600mg increased VO2max and endurance markers in healthy adults (Choudhary et al., 2015).

Most clinical research uses standardized KSM-66 or Sensoril extracts. Generic root powder lacks the same data.

Bar chart of ashwagandha evidence strength: stress and anxiety strong, cortisol moderate, sleep and muscle emerging, testosterone limited.
Before the hype: this is where ashwagandha’s human research is strongest, and where it is still thin.
If stress has you running on empty
Ashwagandha can take the edge off, but if you feel wired-and-tired no matter what you try, burned-out adrenals may be only one piece. It is one of four toxic-load patterns that quietly drain your energy and resilience. The Toxic Load Assessment Tool can help you see which one may be the closest match for you.

Ashwagandha Picks — Verified

Verified live products — current pricing checked today.
Why Not Natural Organic Ashwagandha KSM 66 Supplements Capsules - KSM66
Why Not Natural Organic Ashwagandha KSM 66 Supplements Capsu…
KSM-66 root extract — most-studied form. Standardized to 5% withanolides.
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Himalaya Ashwagandha Organic Gummies, KSM-66 Organic Ashwagandha to Help with St
Himalaya Ashwagandha Organic Gummies, KSM-66 Organic Ashwaga…
Gummy form for those who don’t tolerate capsules.
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Organic Ashwagandha Root Powder - 1.10 lbs (17.64 oz) | Resealable Kraft Bag,Non
Organic Ashwagandha Root Powder – 1.10 lbs (17.64 oz) | Rese…
Loose powder for warm milk traditions or smoothies.
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Nootropics Depot Sensoril Ashwagandha Capsules | 125mg | 180 Ct. | Ayurveda Supp
Nootropics Depot Sensoril Ashwagandha Capsules | 125mg | 180…
Sensoril extract — higher anxiolytic ratio than KSM-66.
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As an Amazon Associate, The Wellthie One earns from qualifying purchases.
Why Not Natural Organic Ashwagandha KSM 66 Supplements Capsu
If you only CHOOSE one
Why Not Natural Organic Ashwagandha KSM 66 Supplements Capsu
KSM-66 ashwagandha is the form used in most ashwagandha clinical trials — standardized to 5% withanolides.
Check on Amazon →

What is Ashwaganda?

What is Ashwaganda
What is Ashwaganda

Ashwagandha is a powerful medicinal herb, held in high regard in many cultures in Asia and Africa, particularly in India. It is extracted from an evergreen shrub of the same name that grows primarily in Asia and Africa. The herb has a bevy of health benefits from helping with stress and anxiety to reducing signs of aging. Let’s explore some of the uses of this super herb.

What Does Ashwagandha Do?  Ashwagandha’s Incredible Health Benefits

  1. Ashwagandha is often classified as an adaptogen. This means that it is known to have stress and anxiety reducing properties. It does this by reducing production of the stress hormone Cortisol. Studies also showed that taking the herb helps those suffering from Insomnia and other stress related pathologies.
  1. Ashwagandha is also great for those with blood sugar problems. This is due to its de-stressing qualities. The stress hormone Cortisol also has an effect of raising blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous from those who suffer from high blood sugar. Ashwagandha reduces cortisol production and thus assists in keeping sugar levels down.
  1. Studies have shown that Ashwagandha improves insulin production which is helpful for those with Type-2 Diabetes. It is also shown to improve the sensitivity of our muscle cells to insulin.  In general,Ashwagandha was reported to work well with oral diabetes medication.
  1.  Ashwagandha contains amino acids and antioxidants which assist in reducing the signs of aging by strengthening the hair and reducing likelihood of breakage. The herb may also stimulate production of melanin which would assist in reducing the graying of hair.
  1. Ashwagandha has been shown to consistently increase muscle strength. This implies that the herb may be helpful to those going through rehabilitation involving strength training. Those simply wishing to improve their results in the gym may also find this very useful as studies showed that groups that were using ashwagandha on average improved faster than those who weren’t and those in a placebo group.
What the research actually shows
Ashwagandha is one of the better-studied adaptogens, and the evidence is genuinely encouraging for one thing in particular: stress. According to a meta-analysis indexed on PubMed that pooled nine randomized trials, ashwagandha significantly lowered perceived stress, anxiety scores, and blood cortisol compared with placebo (Arumugam et al., 2024).
A separate 60-day placebo-controlled trial of 240 mg daily found the same pattern, with a clear drop in morning cortisol and anxiety and no serious side effects (Lopresti et al., 2019). The read: ashwagandha is well supported for stress and anxiety, moderately so for cortisol, and more thinly for sleep, strength, and testosterone, so treat the bigger claims with healthy skepticism.

FAQ – Some Frequently Asked Questions about Ashwagandha

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Ashwagandha
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Ashwagandha

Do I take Ashwagandha in the morning or night?  When to take Ashwagandha

Most research recommends that taking Ashwagandha in the morning is best as it helps maintain a balance in the adrenal system, this is best achieved when it is taken twice a day, morning and afternoon or morning and evening.  This highly beneficial  herb also boasts anti-stress and relaxation benefits, but not the kind that make you sleepy when you have had a good rest.  

How many times a day should I take Ashwagandha?

Research recommends taking Ashwagandha twice a day to fit your schedule.

How Should I take Ashwagandha?

Most research recommends taking it in the morning and midday with your beverage of choice either in capsule or powder form.

How Long Does it take for Ashwagandha to work?

Each individual has varying health conditions and degree of healthy lifestyle, so the positive affects felt by taking this herb is going to vary with other factors.  Do you tend to eat clean and strive for a healthy lifestyle?  If so, you will likely notice benefits sooner, an impact may be noticed within two weeks.  If you need time to clean up your diet, eat less fast food, curb consumption on addictive products, then it may take a few to several months to experience bigger changes.  Our body is a whole system, and thrives best when it is cared for on several fronts.

Can Ashwagandha Increase Height?

Using ashwagandha alone and neglecting diet and exercise would likely result in no noticable difference in height.  Worth mentioning is that there is a critical growth hormone present in ashsagandha, called gamma-aminobutyric acid.  

Some cultures have anecdotal evidence that shows that this hormone, which works with the pituitary gland that controls human growth hormone.  It has the ability to enhance and increase the production of cartilage between the longer bones of the legs and hands.  Eventually, this cartilage turns to bone, and this can increase height.

Does Ashwagandha increase penis size?

There’s a lot of discussion about this question on Quora, and some men claim it does, others claim it doesn’t.  Men low in testosterone may benefit from taking ashwagandha because it has the ability to increase testosterone.  Because of this, many have reported an increase in girth to their penis.  Others still claim that it has added girth and length, and say that it doesn’t hurt to try and see what happens.

Where to Buy Ashwagandha

Tips for getting the most from ashwagandha

  • Choose a standardized extract. Look for KSM-66 or Sensoril on the label, the two forms used in most of the positive studies.
  • Give it time. Most trials ran 6 to 8 weeks. This is a slow, steady herb, not an instant fix.
  • Take it with food, and if it makes you drowsy, shift your dose to the evening; if it energizes you, keep it in the morning.
  • Pair it with the basics. Ashwagandha works best alongside decent sleep, gentle movement, and lower caffeine, not in place of them.
A few safety notes worth knowing
Ashwagandha is well tolerated for most people, but it is not for everyone. Skip it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Be cautious if you have an autoimmune thyroid condition (it can nudge thyroid hormone up), if you take sedatives or thyroid medication, or before surgery. When in doubt, clear it with your doctor first.

Top 3 Incredible Ashwagandha Products You Should Try

1.NaturaLifeLabs: Ashwagandha Powder and Root Extract (+Black Pepper Extract)

NaturaLifeLabs Ashwagandha Powder and Root Extract (+Black Pepper Extract)
NaturaLifeLabs Ashwagandha Powder

By far the most popular and highly rated Ashwagandha product on Amazon is NaturaLifeLabs: Ashwagandha Powder. This product is a dietary supplement containing Ashwagandha and it is advertised as a stress reliever, immune booster and mood enhancer. It is also advertised as free of sugar, gluten, dairy and GMO free and is vegan friendly. Thus, this truly is a product for everybody.

This product is our top pick and the reason why is reflected clearly in its Amazon reviews. The 4.5 star product costs an incredibly reasonable $16 and contains 100 capsules of Ashwagandha. Dozens of customers have praised its multifaceted benefits, with some testifying that it remedied their insomnia and others saying it alleviated their thyroid pain. Many stated it helped with anxiety and plethora of other conditions.

2. PhysciansChoice Ashwagandha Root Powder+Black Pepper Extract

PhysciansChoice Ashwagandha Root Powder+Black Pepper Extract
PhysciansChoice Ashwagandha Root Powder+Black

Physician’s Choice Ashwagandha Root Powder is an undeniably worthwhile product. It is also advertised as a dietary supplement and stress reliever, but also claims to assist with thyroid pain, anxiety and brain function. 

This product is also incredibly accessible as it is free of Dairy, GMO’s, nuts, wheat, gluten and additives. It is an amazing organic and healthy product to add to your morning and evening meals.

Physician’s Choice Ashwagandha Root Powder is listed by Amazon as one of its best sellers and it’s easy to see why. The product has an impressive 4.5 star rating from over 34000 ratings. The reviews provide immense support for the quality and value of this product. Reviewers describe the product as life-altering and extremely effective in alleviating depression, stress and stress.

Many customers reported being able to focus on work and tasks more consistently and generally the product seemed to enhance their moods and attitude. It’s clear to see that our second place received a first class response.

3.mykindORGANICS-Ashwagandha Supplements

mykindORGANICS-Ashwagandha Supplements
mykindORGANICS-Ashwagandha Supplements

Our third and final option might be the most underrated of them all. mykindOrganics have created an incredible herbal supplement made with Ashwagandha, fermented ginger and Probiotics. This choice  is USDA organic and contains no GMO’s or gluten. This vegan friendly product is sure to aid with your stress and anxiety and seems more than capable of holding its own against its more highly rated competition.

This highly regarded opinion is supported by the product’s high 4.5 star rating. Reviewers love what mykind Organics have created. 

Many have praised their Ashwagandha supplements for their de-stressing and mood enhancing capabilities. 

The supplements seem to also help with anxiety and depression with some claiming they were more effective than their prescribed medicine. 

Clearly this option, despite having a smaller crowd than the previous two has garnered an incredibly satisfied and loyal customer base. Thus, it might just be the perfect product for you.

In Conclusion

In these uncertain times, it is of paramount importance that we take care of our physical and mental health. Mental health struggles are hard to navigate and often require a lot of experimentation and effort to overcome. These Ashwagandha supplements may just be the key to overcoming your stress, anxiety and/or depression. 

They may also simply supplement your current medication and regimen or alleviate your thyroid pain. Regardless of how they may assist you, you owe it to yourself to try them out, because they may be the remedy you’ve been desperately searching for.

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