Home Ingredients Shagandha® (Ashwagandha Root Extract)
Stress & AnxietySleep HealthCognitive

Shagandha® (Ashwagandha Root Extract)

Withania somnifera
Evidence Level
Moderate
2 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Shagandha® is a branded Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) root extract positioned for stress, cortisol balance, and sleep support. Ashwagandha is one of the best-studied adaptogenic herbs, with randomized trials of standardized extracts showing reductions in perceived stress and serum cortisol and improvements in sleep quality. Honest framing: the strongest clinical evidence comes from specific standardized extracts such as KSM-66® and Sensoril®, and Shagandha®'s rationale draws on this broader ashwagandha evidence base rather than its own large trial program. Shagandha® coexists on the site with generic ashwagandha and branded forms including Shoden®, Sensoril®, and ZenRoot®.

Studied Dose Ashwagandha root-extract stress/sleep trials commonly used 300–600 mg/day of standardized extract; Shagandha® is dosed per manufacturer guidance.
Active Compound Withania somnifera root extract standardized to withanolides (commonly ~2.5–5%) — Shagandha®; an adaptogenic extract in the ashwagandha family.

Benefits

Stress and Cortisol Support

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that helps the body manage stress. Randomized trials of standardized root extracts report meaningful reductions in perceived stress and serum cortisol, the basis for Shagandha®'s positioning for everyday stress resilience.

Supported by Trial 1

Sleep Quality Support

Ashwagandha root extract has been associated with improvements in sleep onset, sleep efficiency, and overall sleep quality in controlled trials. This makes it a popular choice for people whose poor sleep is tied to stress and a busy mind.

Supported by Trial 2

Calm and Mood Support

By supporting a balanced stress response, ashwagandha may help ease feelings of anxiousness and support a steady mood. Effects are best viewed as supportive of general wellbeing rather than treatment of a clinical condition.

Supported by Trial 1

Cognitive and Wellbeing Support

Lower stress and better sleep may translate into improved daytime focus and quality of life. Some ashwagandha trials report cognitive and wellbeing improvements alongside reduced stress.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Adaptogenic Vitality Support

As a traditional Ayurvedic rasayana (rejuvenative), ashwagandha is used to support overall vitality and resilience. Standardized extracts provide a consistent, identity-verified way to obtain withanolides.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

HPA Axis Modulation

Ashwagandha withanolides help modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, supporting a more balanced cortisol response to stress, which underlies its adaptogenic stress and sleep benefits.

2

GABAergic Activity

Withanolides are reported to enhance GABA-related signaling, promoting calming, inhibitory neurotransmission that may support relaxation and sleep onset.

3

Antioxidant Neuroprotection

Ashwagandha constituents provide antioxidant activity and have been reported to support neuronal health in laboratory models, contributing to its cognitive and wellbeing applications.

Clinical trials

1
Standardized Ashwagandha for Stress and Cortisol

Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a high-concentration full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract (300 mg twice daily) over 60 days in 64 chronically stressed adults.

64 chronically stressed adults.

Ashwagandha significantly reduced perceived stress scores and serum cortisol versus placebo and was well tolerated. A foundational trial supporting ashwagandha's stress and cortisol benefits that informs Shagandha®'s positioning.

2
Ashwagandha Root Extract for Sleep

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of ashwagandha root extract over several weeks evaluating sleep parameters and anxiety in adults, including those with insomnia.

Adults with insomnia and anxiety.

Ashwagandha was associated with significant improvements in sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, sleep quality scores, and anxiety versus placebo. Supports the sleep-quality benefit attributed to the broader ashwagandha evidence base.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated at studied doses.
Mild drowsiness, GI upset, or loose stools possible.
May affect thyroid hormone levels; monitor if you have thyroid conditions.
Rare reports of liver effects with some ashwagandha products; discontinue if symptoms occur.
Avoid in pregnancy; caution in autoimmune conditions and before surgery.

Important Drug interactions

Sedatives and CNS depressants — possible additive sedation; use caution.
Thyroid medications — ashwagandha may raise thyroid hormone levels; monitor.
Immunosuppressants — ashwagandha may stimulate immune activity; use caution in transplant or autoimmune patients.
Antidiabetic or antihypertensive drugs — possible additive lowering of glucose or blood pressure; monitor.

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Frequently asked questions about Shagandha® (Ashwagandha Root Extract)

What is Shagandha?

Shagandha® is a branded Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) root extract positioned for stress, cortisol balance, and sleep support. Ashwagandha is one of the best-studied adaptogenic herbs, with randomized trials of standardized extracts showing reductions in perceived stress and serum cortisol and improvements in sleep…

What is Shagandha used for?

Shagandha is researched primarily for Stress & Anxiety, Sleep Health, and Cognitive. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that helps the body manage stress. Randomized trials of standardized root extracts report meaningful reductions in perceived stress and serum cortisol, the basis for Shagandha®'s positioning for everyday stress r…

What is the recommended dosage of Shagandha?

The clinically studied dose is Ashwagandha root-extract stress/sleep trials commonly used 300–600 mg/day of standardized extract; Shagandha® is dosed per manufacturer guidance. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Shagandha safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Shagandha is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated at studied doses. Mild drowsiness, GI upset, or loose stools possible. It may also interact with some medications. Shagandha is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Shagandha interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Sedatives and CNS depressants — possible additive sedation; use caution. Thyroid medications — ashwagandha may raise thyroid hormone levels; monitor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Shagandha?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Shagandha as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 2 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(2 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(3):255-62. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.106022.PubMedUsed to support: Backs the stress and cortisol benefits: a standardized ashwagandha root extract significantly reduced perceived stress and serum cortisol versus placebo.
  2. Langade D, Kanchi S, Salve J, Debnath K, Ambegaokar D. Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in insomnia and anxiety: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Cureus. 2019;11(9):e5797. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5797.PubMedUsed to support: Backs the sleep-quality benefit: ashwagandha root extract improved sleep onset, efficiency, sleep quality, and anxiety versus placebo.