What it does
Benefits of Ashwagandha 650mg
One capsule, 650mg of organic root, and black pepper so it actually absorbs.
The Nourivo difference: Benefits that build over time
Based on the length of published trials, not a promise of results. Responses vary.*
- Ashwagandha is not an acute supplement, so there is nothing to feel on day one
- Taking it at the same time daily is the habit that matters
- Before a meal with water is the traditional approach
- Published trials commonly measure outcomes from around this point
- Effects reported in studies are modest rather than dramatic
- Individual responses vary considerably
- Most clinical studies run six to twelve weeks in total
- This is a fair length of time to judge whether it suits you
- One bottle covers roughly two months of daily use
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 capsule
Servings Per Container: 60
**Daily Value (DV) not established.
Other Ingredients: Pullulan capsules.
What's inside, and why
Organic Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) (root) 650 mg
The adaptogen traditionally used to help the body handle everyday stress, at a full dose in one capsule rather than three.
Organic Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) (fruit) 5 mg
Included because withanolides absorb poorly on their own. Small amount, real purpose.
Two active ingredients. Plant based capsule. Made in the USA.
Our sources
A selection of the peer-reviewed research behind ashwagandha.
Stress
Ashwagandha root extract and stress
A 60-day randomised trial of a concentrated root extract in stressed adults. Stress scores and serum cortisol fell more than with placebo.
Chandrasekhar et al. Indian J Psychol Med, 2012
Read studyCortisol
Ashwagandha and the stress response
A placebo-controlled trial in adults with high self-reported stress. The authors report stress-relieving effects, possibly through the body's stress-hormone axis, and call for larger studies.
Lopresti et al. Medicine (Baltimore), 2019
Read studyAnxiety
Ashwagandha for anxiety
A systematic review of five human trials. All five favoured ashwagandha over placebo, but the studies were small and at unclear or high risk of bias.
Pratte et al. J Altern Complement Med, 2014
Read studySleep
Ashwagandha extract and sleep
A meta-analysis of randomised trials. Sleep improved, most clearly at doses of 600 mg a day or more, and the authors note limited long-term safety data.
Cheah et al. PLoS One, 2021
Read studySafety
Ashwagandha and liver injury
A case series of liver injury linked to ashwagandha supplements. It documents the herb's potential to harm the liver, with liver tests typically normalising within one to five months.
Bjornsson et al. Liver Int, 2020
Read studyThese papers examine ashwagandha as an ingredient and are shared for reference. Several tested concentrated root extracts rather than ground root, and one documents a safety concern. They are not studies of this product, and nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Questions
Questions? We're here to help.
What is an adaptogen?
It's a traditional category rather than a regulatory one — herbs used to help the body cope with everyday stress. Ashwagandha is among the most recognized of them, with a long history in Ayurvedic practice and a growing body of modern research.
Why is there black pepper in it?
Withanolides, the compounds ashwagandha is valued for, are not absorbed particularly well on their own. Black pepper is included at 5mg to support absorption, so more of what you paid for actually gets used rather than passing through.
When should I take it?
One capsule 20 to 30 minutes before a meal, with 8 oz of water. Morning or evening both work — pick whichever you'll remember, since taking it consistently matters more than the hour.
How long before I notice anything?
Ashwagandha isn't an acute supplement — there's nothing to feel in the first hour. Published trials typically run six to twelve weeks, which gives you a sense of the timescale researchers work on. Give it a consistent daily run rather than judging it after a few days.
Who should avoid it?
This is one to be careful with. Not for use by pregnant or nursing women, or anyone under 18. Talk to your physician first if you have a thyroid, autoimmune, or liver condition, or if you take thyroid, sedative, immunosuppressant, or blood sugar medication. Stop and see a doctor if you experience nausea, abdominal discomfort, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Founder
A note from Dylan, founder
I started Nourivo because I was tired of supplement labels that oversell what's inside. Everything here is made to a standard I'd put my own name on.
Read the full story
