Ashwagandha: the adaptogen with the strongest cortisol evidence

An adaptogen with real data

Most adaptogens have weak human evidence. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is the exception — multiple randomized controlled trials show 300–600 mg/day of standardized root extract reduces serum cortisol by 20–30% over 8 weeks.

Choose the standardized extract

KSM-66 (5% withanolides) and Sensoril (10% withanolides) are the two extracts that nearly all positive trials used. Generic 'ashwagandha powder' may contain a fraction of the active compounds.

Citations available on request. ZYVORA articles reference peer-reviewed clinical research published in journals including JAMA, The Lancet, Nutrients, and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.