Ashwagandha root extract: what you should know about the plant

What is ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is the name of a plant with the botanical name Withania somnifera. It is also known as winter cherry and belongs to the nightshade family, which also includes tomatoes and potatoes. Ashwagandha grows as a small shrub and is widespread in dry regions of India, the Middle East and Africa. The name comes from Sanskrit. In Europe, many people know ashwagandha mainly as an ingredient in food supplements, less often as a powder for drinks.

It is mainly the root that is used. Extracts are made from it and used in food supplements. The plant has orange-red berries surrounded by a papery husk. As a rule, these play no role in food supplements.

Root extract: what the term means

An extract is obtained from a part of a plant. The term “root” in the ingredients list shows which part of the plant was used. In Vita Energy Complex for women, the ingredients list states “Ashwagandha extract (Withania somnifera, root)”. The nutrition table states the amount per daily serving. All values apply to the full daily serving of 3 capsules.

Information	Value according to the manufacturer
Name	Ashwagandha extract
Plant	Withania somnifera
Plant part	Root
Amount per daily serving	80 mg
Daily serving	3 capsules
Pack contents	90 capsules, lasts 30 days

Why there is no authorised claim for ashwagandha

Health claims are strictly regulated in the EU. Only claims that are authorised and whose conditions are met are permitted. There is no authorised health claim for ashwagandha. Claims relating to plant substances have been under review at EU level for years, and a final assessment is still pending. That is why we only describe the extract and do not attribute any effect to it.

The authorised claims for the product are based on the vitamins and minerals it contains. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. Vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and selenium contribute to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function. Vitamin B12 contributes to normal psychological function. You can find further claims in the guide Vitamins and tiredness.

What to look out for with ashwagandha products

Ashwagandha is offered in very different products, as a powder, a capsule or part of a blend. These points help you compare the information:

• Plant part: Does the ingredients list state whether the root or another part of the plant is used?
• Extract or powder: An extract is something different from ground root. The amounts therefore cannot be compared directly.
• Amount per daily serving: Is the amount stated in milligrams for the recommended daily serving?
• Promised effects: As there are no authorised claims, you should be sceptical of promised effects relating to ashwagandha.
• Notes: Are the maximum amount, target group and warnings clearly stated?

With Energy Complex for women, the plant part and the amount are openly stated in the ingredients list and the nutrition table.

Ashwagandha as part of the formula

Ashwagandha is one of nine plant extracts in Energy Complex for women. At 80 mg, it is, together with pine bark extract, one of the extracts with the largest amount. They are joined by turmeric, pomegranate, green tea, grape seed, ginger, saffron and black pepper. The extracts come from very different parts of plants: from roots as with ashwagandha, turmeric and ginger, from bark in the case of pine, from leaves in the case of green tea, from fruits in the case of pomegranate and pepper, from seeds in the case of grapes and from stigmas in the case of saffron. We present the other extracts in the guide on turmeric, green tea and saffron.

The plant extracts are complemented by vitamins, minerals, coenzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, collagen UC-II and carotenoids such as lutein and astaxanthin. In total there are 27 ingredients, all of them declared with their amounts.

What you should clarify before taking it

A food supplement with several plant extracts is not suitable for every situation in life. In the following cases, clarify taking it beforehand with your doctor or at the pharmacy:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The manufacturer's information contains no note on this. Because of the plant extracts, including ashwagandha, you should clarify taking it in advance.
• Medication: Whether the product is compatible with your medication cannot be answered in general terms. This applies in particular if you take medication on a long-term basis. Take the ingredients list with you to the consultation.
• Other preparations: If you already use another product containing ashwagandha, green tea or astaxanthin, the amounts add up.

Intake and notes from the manufacturer

Take 3 capsules daily with a glass of water with a meal. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. The manufacturer recommends courses of at least 60 days. One pack of 90 capsules lasts 30 days, so for a 60-day course you need 2 packs. A volume discount applies to multiple packs: 5% from 2 packs, 8% from 3 packs, 12% from 4 packs.

• Do not take on an empty stomach, not during a strict low-calorie diet and not at the same time as other products based on green tea.
• Do not consume if other food supplements containing astaxanthin esters are consumed on the same day.
• Not suitable for children and adolescents under 10 years of age.

The manufacturer is Vita Health Care AG, based in Basel, and the product is made in Switzerland. You can find more products in the For women selection.