Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a small evergreen shrub with a long history in Ayurvedic and Unani traditions. Modern supplements most often use the root, although some extracts combine root and leaf. The root contains a mixture of phytochemicals including steroidal lactones known as withanolides.

Today, Ashwagandha is commonly described as an adaptogen — a broad term used for ingredients associated with helping the body respond to stress. Human research has focused particularly on perceived stress, anxiety and sleep. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that several small, short-term clinical trials have reported improvements in stress-related outcomes and some measures of sleep, but the preparations and doses vary and long-term safety remains less certain.

That variability matters when comparing products. A whole-root powder, a standardised root extract and a root-and-leaf extract are not interchangeable simply because the front label says Ashwagandha. The plant part, extraction method and level of standardisation should be considered alongside the final formulation.

At The London Dispensary, Ashwagandha sits within our Balance formulas. Our current ingredient record uses root material and a water-extracted final extract, with the exact product specification shown on the relevant product page.