When is the Best Time to Take Ashwagandha?

There are always going to be days when you want to pull your hair out. But stress is no joke. According to data from The American Institute Of Stress over half (55%) of all Americans are stressed out and each day close to 1 million Americans miss work because of it. (1) 

Stress can make us feel drained, tired, and unmotivated. But it can also cause symptoms like: (2)

• weight gain
• headaches and muscle aches
• hormone imbalances
• depression and anxiety
• poor sleep
• low immunity

If that’s not enough, over the long term, stress can have serious negative effects on our health and be a major contributor to diseases like ulcers, acid reflux, high blood pressure, heart disease, and worse. 

But the good news is there are plenty of healthy ways to manage stress so it doesn’t have to take over your life and take a toll on your health. Some of the most effective ways to manage stress include regularly exercising, eating right, getting plenty of sleep, and meditating. (3)

Adaptogens can be a big help too. Adaptogens are types of herbs that help the body cope and adapt to the effects of stress and protect us from the damage stress can cause us on a cellular level. These powerful plants also contain special compounds that naturally help regulate our hormones and metabolism. (4)

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian Winter Cherry and Indian Ginseng, is one of the most effective adaptogenic herbs for managing the symptoms of stress and poor sleep. 

For 3000 years, Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurveda (the traditional system of alternative medicine in India) to rejuvenate the body, boost energy, and promote overall health. (5)

From an evergreen shrub that grows in India, ashwagandha is high in active compounds called withanolides. These compounds are believed to be responsible for most of its stress-relieving and other health-promoting benefits. (6)

And it’s been quickly gaining popularity as a health and wellness trend to help the body deal with stress. 

Which is the Best Type of Ashwagandha Supplement to Take?

In terms of consistency, effectiveness, and being the most studied, KSM-66 Ashwagandha is widely considered the best. 

Here’s why KSM-66 Ashwaganda from Flora helps increase resistance to stress in cases of occasional stress-related fatigue.* 

The root of the ashwagandha plant is one of the richest and safest sources of its stress-relieving beneficial compounds. But many products also include the stems and leaves blended into teas, tinctures, and capsules. 

Ashwagandha products that include leaves are cheaper to produce and buy. But they also carry with them a higher concentration of withaferin A. This compound is mostly found in the leaves, a type of withanolide compound that can be toxic to cells. (7)

A 2015 review published in the Journal Pharmaceutical and Scientific Innovation, found a high inconsistency in the amount of withanolides in root powders that aren’t standardized. (8)

The Benefits of KSM-66 Ashwagandha

Developed with over 14 years of research and evaluated over 20 human clinical trials, KSM-66 Ashwagandha is also the most well-studied extract of ashwagandha. And it’s the highest concentration of full-spectrum ashwagandha extract in the world made only with the root of the plant.

In fact, KSM-66 Ashwagandha has been clinically proven to help reduce stress, balance cortisol levels, and stress-related food cravings while helping to improve memory and cognitive function. (9) It’s also a great option for those looking to boost their exercise performance and recovery.

When is the Best Time to Take Ashwagandha?

The best time to take ashwagandha will depend on your goals and preferences. 

To Boost Energy and Reduce Fatigue During the Day: Experts suggest taking ashwagandha in the morning or at lunchtime, along with other supplements to promote overall wellness, relieve stress, and improve mood throughout the day for optimal energy and productivity. 

For Better Sleep: For trouble sleeping, take ashwagandha about an hour before bedtime to improve sleep quality and promote relaxation. 

The typical dose of ashwagandha ranges from 200 to 600 mg per day, but the right time of day will always depend on your body chemistry. It may take some experimenting to find your sweet spot. And for most people, Ashwagandha can be taken with or without food.

As with any other supplement, it’s good to take a break from ashwagandha every few months. This helps prevent your body from becoming too reliant on it.

Ashwagandha is not recommended to be taken while pregnant and breastfeeding. If you’re not sure if ashwagandha is right for you, consult with your doctor.

Here’s what the research is saying about Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha May Support Stress Relief

One of the most important benefits of ashwagandha is its ability to support the adrenal glands, which balance the body’s “stress hormone” known as cortisol.

Normally, our cortisol starts out high in the morning, and then slowly decreases throughout the day. But when we’re chronically stressed, cortisol can spike at odd times of the day, causing us to feel fatigued when we should be awake, and wired at bedtime. 

High cortisol over time can cause us to gain weight (especially around the midsection and upper back). It can also cause anxiety and muscle weakness, interfere with concentration, and lower immunity. (10)

In a study focused on chronically stressed adults, those who were supplemented with ashwagandha were found to have significantly greater reductions in cortisol as compared with the control group. Subjects who took the highest dose of ashwagandha experienced an average 30% reduction in cortisol. (11)

Ashwagandha May Improve Energy

While it’s especially good at helping our bodies cope with stress and its effects, ashwagandha can also help us feel more energetic during the day without the jitters. 

It can also support you in the gym. In one study, researchers found that supplementing with ashwagandha improved endurance rates in elite cyclists after taking a regimen of 500 mg twice a day. (12) 

Ashwagandha May Improve Sleep Quality

Some studies suggest that ashwagandha may help people fall asleep more quickly, and for longer, while improving overall sleep quality and mood upon waking. (13, 14)

However, researchers aren’t sure which compound is giving ashwagandha’s sleep-promoting effects. It’s likely more than one.

Some evidence suggests it’s a compound called triethylene glycol. (15)

But other evidence shows ashwagandha molecules may also react with our GABA receptors, which play an important role in the sleep-wake circuit. (16) 

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter with a calming effect that slows down excited signals to nerves and is also associated with reducing anxiety, stress, and fear.

One study found that after taking ashwagandha for six weeks, participants reported their sleep was 72% better, on average. (17)

Ashwagandha May Reduce Cortisol

Ashwagandha has been shown in several studies to reduce cortisol, which may contribute to symptoms associated with anxiety.

According to a randomized, double-blind study, 240 mg of full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract per day for 60 days significantly reduced cortisol levels in 60 people with mild stress compared to those who received a placebo treatment. (19)

Ashwagandha May Support Memory and Focus

In an eight-week study with 50 adults, researchers found adults taking ashwagandha showed significant improvements in immediate and general memory and information-processing speed when compared with the placebo group. (20)

Their executive function also improved, which is the mental skill that allows us to plan, focus, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks.

What is the Best Ashwagandha Supplement to Fight the Effects of Stress?

As with any supplement, source matters. It’s important to take an ashwagandha supplement from a trusted brand, so you know what you’re taking is safe and you can be confident in the strength you’re getting. 

Flora Health has been one of the most trusted brands in wellness since the 1960s.

Looking to reduce stress and feel refreshed? Flora’s new ashwagandha supplement may be just what you need.

ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66 for Stress & Mood Support from Flora provides 600 mg of KSM-66® Ashwagandha® root extract with 5% of beneficial active withanolides in each 2 capsule serving. 

In 24 double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, KSM-66 Ashwagandha has been clinically proven to help:

• increase resistance to stress*
• relieve restlessness*
• provide exercise support*
• improve the quality of sleep*

Like all Flora products, it’s non-GMO and vegan-friendly. 

In a 2 capsule serving you get:

• 600 mg of KSM-66 Ashwagandha

And it’s produced using a proprietary extraction process without using alcohol or harmful chemical solvents.

For Additional Nutritional Support with KSM-66 Ashwagandha, Try Stressveda

Stressveda from Flora combines the amazing benefits of KSM-66 Ashwagandha extract with plant-sourced vitamins.

In 1 capsule of Stressveda you get :

• 600 mg of KSM-66 Ashwagandha®
• Food-sourced vitamins made from a proprietary blend of whole foods including mushrooms, fruits and vegetables
• B Vitamin complex
• Antioxidant Vitamins C, and E.  
• Vitamins D + K

These additional vitamins may have synergistic benefits for your health and well-being. For example, B vitamins can help you digest food, increase energy, and reduce the effects of chronic stress. B6 (pyridoxine) can help balance your hormones, while B5 (pantothenic acid) can help your nervous system function properly when you are stressed. A study with 60 people who had work-related stress showed that taking a vitamin B complex supplement for 12 weeks reduced their stress symptoms and fatigue compared to placebo. (21)

Other vitamins in Stressveda, such as vitamin D, may improve your mood and immunity, while vitamins C and E can act as antioxidants and protect your cells from free radical damage, which can increase when you are stressed.

When is the Best Time to Take Stressveda?

Start by taking Stressveda once a day with breakfast or lunch. Most benefits can typically be seen within 4 to 8 weeks. As always if you have any medical conditions, be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement.

Final Thoughts

Ashwagandha is one of the best choices to help fight the chronic effects of stress while increasing energy levels and motivation. It can also promote better sleep quality at night and may help to boost mood.

ASHWAGANDHA KSM-66  for Stress & Mood Support from Flora is highly recommended for anyone who wants to boost their mood and feel more uplifted and energized during the day.

For stress relief, but with additional nutritional support, try Stressveda. It combines the amazing benefits of KSM-66 Ashwagandha extract with food-sourced vitamins.

Want to Beat Stress and Fatigue and Get Your Energy Back?

Visit florahealth.com to get natural stress support with the power of ashwagandha. 

Products Mentioned 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.