What Is Ashwagandha? Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage

Ashwagandha, otherwise known as Indian Ginseng, is a popular herb thought to benefit stress and fitness performance. Read on to find out more. 

In this article you’ll find: 

• What Is Ashwagandha?
• What Are The Benefits Of KSM-66?
• Can You Take KSM-66 every day?
• Does Ashwagandha Have Any Side Effects?
• How Long Does It Take For Ashwagandha To Work?
• Who Should Take Ashwagandha?
• Take Home Message

What Is Ashwagandha? 

Ashwagandha is a well-known adaptogen used in Hindu culture. Adaptogens are herbs that according to traditional medicine, help the body to adjust to emotional, physical or biological stress. 

Adaptogens have a broad, non-specific effect and work on multiple body systems at once. In technical terms, they are thought to help to control the release of stress hormones from the adrenal glands. Whilst more research is needed to confirm these claims, these herbs have shown promising results in thousands of clinical trials.  

What Are The Benefits Of KSM-66? 

KSM-66 is a high strength source of ashwagandha that’s extracted from the root of the plant. Recent studies on KSM-66 show a variety of benefits:

Stress & Anxiety

Supplementation of KSM-66 over 8 weeks showed a 30% reduction in cortisol levels. This stress hormone works with the brain to control mood. 1

Sleep

Since the emergence of Covid-19, 22% of people reported that their sleep quality had got worse. In 2019, a trial testing KSM-66 against a placebo showed that after 10 weeks, ashwagandha improved sleep quality and decreased nervousness in the evening. 2

Muscle Strength & Recovery

On a study of males over 8 weeks, KSM-66 increased muscle strength (tested on bench press and leg exercises.) Test subjects also showed a reduction in exercise-induced muscle damage and a lower body fat percentage. 3

Cardio Endurance

During a trial with over 12 weeks, subjects took 300mg of ashwagandha twice a day and carried out 20 minute shuttle run tests. Results showed improvements in energy, cardiovascular endurance and stamina. 4

Can You Take KSM-66 Every Day? 

Yes, it’s safe to take ashwagandha everyday. Supplements are a convenient way to do this. Myvitamins Ashwagandha Capsules are a high quality source, with 500mg of ashwagandha root per capsule.

For a fruity source of this herb, try our Red Apple Ashwagandha Gummies. These bestsellers contain 150mg of ashwagandha extract plus added vitamin B6 to help reduce fatigue and maintain psychological function. 5