Now Foods Ashwagandha Extract Review

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Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogenic herb that has been shown to reduce stress, improve immunity, cognitive function, and help balance critical body functions.

Demand for Ashwagandha has increased over the past few years and so have Ashwagandha supplement options. So how do you know the right one to buy? It comes down to buying from a brand you trust with a formulation that works for your body.

Now Foods Ashwgandha Extract Review

Now Foods offers a low cost, no-frills Ashwagandha standardized root extract. It’s from a reputable brand with a straightforward approach.

This product does not use a KSM-66 Ashwagandha extract (which is our favorite), but Now Foods appears to know what they’re doing here too.

My Personal Experience

Taking this supplement had an immediate impact. I first tried taking one Ashwagandha capsule in the morning and one at night.

I felt a calm sensation after the morning dose, but I also felt slightly sluggish and less motivated. The feeling was not completely overwhelming though. I was still able to power through the morning lull with a cup of coffee. The interesting thing is that I didn’t feel groggy or slow after taking it, just a little tired.

On the flip side, this product works well before bed. After taking one capsule before bed I found it easy to fall asleep and seemed to wake up less throughout the night. I also found it easier to sleep-in after taking Now Foods Ashwagandha and feel well-rested in the morning.

After experimenting over the past few weeks, I now take the supplement before bed when I sense my body needs a good night sleep. I can’t scientifically tell you if my sleep improves when I take Ashwagandha, but I do seem to wake up less and feel more rested in the morning.

I’ll have to purchase another Fitbit or sleep tracker to see if anything interesting comes from the results.

Ratings & Reviews

This product is top-rated on Amazon, with hundreds of 5-star reviews. You’ll also find positive reviews across retailers selling this product. Customers like the low-price and many are happy with this product’s ability to reduce stress and improve sleep.

Negative reviews for Now Foods Ashwagandha are related to reactions to the product leading to a stomach ache or feeling nauseous. Others claim the product simply didn’t do anything.

Last of all, some users don’t like how this product made them feel sleepy, hinting that this might be a good option before bed.

Does Now Foods Ashwagandha Extract Work?

This really depends on what you’re looking for. My particular experience doesn’t play out well for someone looking to this product for cognitive and mental enhancement, which Ashwagandha has been shown to produce.

But, if you’re looking to Now Foods Ashwagandha Extract for anxiety relief, stress reduction, or better sleep, this product might be worth a try. As noted above, this product has been beneficial for better, deeper sleep.

Other products such as Calm Now and Zen Anxiety Supplement rely on Ashwagandha as well as other vitamins and minerals to produce additional benefits. Calm now is our preferred daily supplement for stress reduction.

Find our list of the best Ashwagandha supplements here.

What Are Now Foods Ashwagandha Extract Side Effects?

For me, the side-effects were sleepiness. It didn’t impact my digestion or lead to any other side effects, at least that I’m aware of.

Most Ashwagandha products come with a recommendation to eat with a meal due to the digestive upset it can cause for some. This product many positive reviews on Amazon.

However, some of the negative reviews note stomach pains, feeling sick, and one reviewer said it made him feel itchy. For what it’s worth, these small percentage of reviews are common among most Ashwagandha of the supplements out there. Read Amazon reviews here.

What Are the Now Foods Ashwagandha Ingredients?

Each capsule contains 450 mg Ashwagandha Root Extract (Withania somnifera), with min. 2.5% Total Withanolides, or 11 mg. Other ingredients include Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Rice Flour and Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source).

Now Foods doesn’t market the product as Gluten or Vegan, but they do message the following on the bottle:

Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

About Now Foods

Now Foods has been a leader in the natural supplement space for decades, they have been around since 1968. They have won numerous awards such as Taste for Life Essentials, Nutra Ingredients Product of the Year, Remedies Body Care Award Winner, and many more.

Ashwagandha Warnings & Safety

This product is for adults only and is not recommended for pregnant/nursing women. Consult a physician if taking medication or if you have a medical condition (especially gastrointestinal conditions, including ulcers). This product may cause digestive upset in some sensitive individuals. If you experience any gastrointestinal discomfort after using this product, discontinue use. Keep out of reach of children.

This is straight from the label, fairly standard for Ashwagandha products sold in the U.S. Not specifically called out above, but those who struggle with Hyperthyroid should take extra precaution when taking an Ashwagandha supplement.

Bottom Line

Different blends of Ashwagandha lead to different results and impact everyone differently. While it can boost alertness and focus for some, it a great sleep-aid for others.

This particular product was not a great focus enhancer so I can’t recommend taking for that. However, if you are searching for a chill-pill this is a good option to try.

Learn more about the differences between Sensoril & KSM-66, two of the most popular Ashwagandha extracts.