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← What works
Pile of tan herbal root powder on a white surface
Specimen PS-ASH · Grade B · 19 papers
Likely worksABCD
Verdict · backed by research

Ashwagandha

Worth it for health and sleep. Skip it for strength, muscle gain, testosterone and recovery.

Check my whole stack →
Dose600 mg/day
WhenDaily for at least 8 weeks in trials
Works afterStrength and testosterone trials ran 8-12 weeks
Evidence19 papers read

Does it work?

The label shows how strong the evidence is, not how big the effect is. Tap a claim to see its papers.

The takeaway

In plain words

In two manufacturer-funded trials, novice or recreational lifters on ashwagandha gained more on the bench press (46.0 vs 26.4 kg over 8 weeks; 12.8 vs 8.0 kg over 12 weeks) and squat (19.1 vs 10.0 kg). Pooled across three trials, the effect is SMD 0.60 for bench press, but it is fragile and low certainty, so expect at most a small extra gain.[6][9][10]

The numbers

Extra bench-press strengthSMD 0.603 RCTs, low certainty, all manufacturer-linked[6]
Testosterone in men+57.43 ng/dLvs placebo, 23-trial meta-analysis; no change in women[4]
Cortisol-1.16 µg/dLvs placebo, 7 RCTs[2]

Our top pick

TrueBasics

TrueBasics Ashwagandha 600mg of KSM-66 Ashwagandha, 60 Capsules

Top pick
₹15a serving · ₹929 a pack
Dose
600 mg KSM-66 root extract (1 capsule)
Price
₹929
Cost / serving
₹15

One capsule gives the 600 mg/day KSM-66 dose used in the stress and sleep trials. The only listed ingredient is KSM-66 root extract, and HealthKart's own company sells it.

No third-party certificate found60 capsules · 60 servingsSold by Bright Lifecare Private Limited

Watch out: Not on any sports certifier's register, so it isn't batch-tested for banned substances. Ashwagandha has rare reports of liver injury. Don't take it if you have liver disease, a thyroid disorder or are pregnant. Stop and see a doctor if you get jaundice, dark urine or itching.

Price seen 2026-10-03View on Amazon

Prices change; the price shown is the one seen on 2026-10-03. Third-party sellers on Amazon can change; check the seller and the certifier’s batch search before you buy. Proven Stack may earn a commission from these links in future. Picks are chosen for form, dose and third-party testing, never for payment.

Up next

Unlabelled beige capsules on a white surface beside thin green stems
Next on the listBCAAsSee the verdict →

Claim by claim— each claim graded on its own

Likely helps: meta-analyses report lower stress (SMD -1.75) and anxiety (SMD -1.55) versus placebo and lower cortisol, though one found no change on a standard stress questionnaire.[1][2][3][4]

Several meta-analyses of RCTs agree on reduced cortisol and anxiety, but certainty is low, heterogeneity is very high (I² up to 93.8%) and one meta-analysis found no significant change in Perceived Stress Scale scores. Supportive evidence with real caveats is Grade B.

Each plate is one paper. Taller = stronger study design, wider = more studies pooled. Tap one.

26′25′22′25′
Meta-analysis2025· BJPsych Open
The effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on mental health symptoms in individuals with mental disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.

In people with mental disorders (mostly anxiety), ashwagandha improved anxiety, stress, depression and sleep quality, with tolerability similar to comparators.

Studies pooled
14
Participants
713
Anxiety (outlier-corrected)
SMD -1.13 (95% CI -1.65 to -0.60)
Stress
SMD -0.95 (95% CI -1.46 to -0.43)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed

Small improvement in sleep (SMD -0.59 across 5 RCTs, 400 people), larger in people with insomnia, at 600 mg/day or more and after 8 weeks or more.[3][5]

A meta-analysis of five placebo-controlled RCTs shows a small but significant effect, and a mental-disorder meta-analysis also found better sleep quality; trials are few, heterogeneous (I² 62%) and the effect is strongest in insomnia. Grade B with caveats.

Each plate is one paper. Taller = stronger study design, wider = more studies pooled. Tap one.

25′21′
Meta-analysis2025· BJPsych Open
The effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on mental health symptoms in individuals with mental disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.

In people with mental disorders (mostly anxiety), ashwagandha improved anxiety, stress, depression and sleep quality, with tolerability similar to comparators.

Studies pooled
14
Participants
713
Anxiety (outlier-corrected)
SMD -1.13 (95% CI -1.65 to -0.60)
Stress
SMD -0.95 (95% CI -1.46 to -0.43)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed

Possibly a small boost, but not established: pooled effects of SMD 0.60 (bench press) and 0.52 (lower body) came from just three trials, lost significance under a stricter analysis, and were rated low certainty.[6][7][8][9][10]

A 2026 meta-analysis limited to resistance-training RCTs found every pooled trial was funded or supplied by an ashwagandha manufacturer, each estimate leaned on one influential trial, and GRADE certainty was low. A broader 2026 meta-analysis also called strength effects 'positive but uncertain'. Weak, fragile evidence is Grade C.

Each plate is one paper. Taller = stronger study design, wider = more studies pooled. Tap one.

26′21′26′18′15′
Meta-analysis2026· Nutrients
Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Supplementation on Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review and Three-Level Meta-Analysis.

Ashwagandha improved overall exercise performance on average, most consistently aerobic endurance; strength effects were positive but uncertain, and the prediction interval crossed zero.

Studies pooled
13
Participants
599
Overall performance
g = 0.47 (95% CI 0.25-0.69)
Aerobic endurance
g = 0.54 (95% CI 0.22-0.85)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed
Meta-analysis2026· Nutrients
Adjunctive Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Supplementation and Resistance-Training Adaptations in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Random-Effects Meta-Analysis of Muscular Strength, Chest Circumference, and Body Composition.

In resistance-training RCTs, ashwagandha was linked to larger 1-RM and chest-girth gains, but estimates were fragile, depended on one trial each and were low to very low certainty; body fat did not change.

Studies pooled
3
Participants
161
Bench press 1-RM
SMD 0.60 (95% CI 0.20-1.01)
Lower-body 1-RM
SMD 0.52 (95% CI 0.19-0.86)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed
Randomized trial2018· NutrientsIndustry ties
Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Withania somnifera on Strength Training Adaptations and Recovery: The STAR Trial.

In recreationally active men, 500 mg/day Sensoril for 12 weeks of training increased squat and bench 1-RM more than placebo; other body-composition and recovery measures did not differ between groups.

Participants
38
Squat 1-RM gain
+19.1 ± 13.0 kg vs +10.0 ± 6.2 kg placebo
Bench 1-RM gain
+12.8 ± 8.2 kg vs +8.0 ± 6.0 kg placebo
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed
Randomized trial2015· J Int Soc Sports NutrIndustry ties
Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.

In young men new to lifting, 600 mg/day KSM-66 root extract for 8 weeks gave bigger bench-press, leg-extension, arm and chest size, and testosterone gains than placebo.

Participants
57
Bench press 1-RM gain
46.0 kg vs 26.4 kg placebo
Leg extension 1-RM gain
14.5 kg vs 9.8 kg placebo
Testosterone rise
96.2 ng/dL vs 18.0 ng/dL placebo
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed

Unproven: no trial measured muscle directly; chest circumference rose more (SMD 0.86, very low certainty) and body fat did not change significantly (SMD -0.32).[6][9]

Muscle-size evidence relies on tape-measure girths from two manufacturer-linked trials; the 2026 meta-analysis rated it very low certainty and called for MRI or ultrasound measures. Body fat showed no dependable effect.

Each plate is one paper. Taller = stronger study design, wider = more studies pooled. Tap one.

26′15′
Meta-analysis2026· Nutrients
Adjunctive Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Supplementation and Resistance-Training Adaptations in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Random-Effects Meta-Analysis of Muscular Strength, Chest Circumference, and Body Composition.

In resistance-training RCTs, ashwagandha was linked to larger 1-RM and chest-girth gains, but estimates were fragile, depended on one trial each and were low to very low certainty; body fat did not change.

Studies pooled
3
Participants
161
Bench press 1-RM
SMD 0.60 (95% CI 0.20-1.01)
Lower-body 1-RM
SMD 0.52 (95% CI 0.19-0.86)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed
Randomized trial2015· J Int Soc Sports NutrIndustry ties
Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.

In young men new to lifting, 600 mg/day KSM-66 root extract for 8 weeks gave bigger bench-press, leg-extension, arm and chest size, and testosterone gains than placebo.

Participants
57
Bench press 1-RM gain
46.0 kg vs 26.4 kg placebo
Leg extension 1-RM gain
14.5 kg vs 9.8 kg placebo
Testosterone rise
96.2 ng/dL vs 18.0 ng/dL placebo
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed

A small rise in men: a 2026 meta-analysis found +57.43 ng/dL versus placebo in men and no change in women, with rises staying within the normal physiological range.[4][9][11][12][13]

The pooled data come mostly from stressed, ageing or overweight men and from small, often industry-linked trials; trials in lifters are few. A systematic review of testosterone boosters rated it only 'possibly effective' in healthy men. A small, inconsistent effect mostly in other populations is Grade C.

Each plate is one paper. Taller = stronger study design, wider = more studies pooled. Tap one.

26′24′26′19′15′
Systematic review2026· Pharmaceuticals (Basel)Industry ties
Back to the Roots: Safety and Tolerability of Standardised Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Healthy Adults-A Systematic Review of Biomarkers and Adverse Events.

Standardised ashwagandha root extract was well tolerated in healthy adults: liver, kidney, blood, hormone and heart markers stayed normal and no serious adverse events were attributed to it.

Studies pooled
23
Participants
2,317
Doses studied
125-600 mg/day
Longest exposure
180 days
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed
Randomized trial2019· Am J Mens Health
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males.

In overweight men aged 40-70 with mild fatigue, 8 weeks of an ashwagandha extract raised salivary testosterone and DHEA-S more than placebo, without improving fatigue or vigour.

Participants
57
Testosterone
14.7% greater increase vs placebo
DHEA-S
18% greater increase vs placebo
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed
Randomized trial2015· J Int Soc Sports NutrIndustry ties
Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.

In young men new to lifting, 600 mg/day KSM-66 root extract for 8 weeks gave bigger bench-press, leg-extension, arm and chest size, and testosterone gains than placebo.

Participants
57
Bench press 1-RM gain
46.0 kg vs 26.4 kg placebo
Leg extension 1-RM gain
14.5 kg vs 9.8 kg placebo
Testosterone rise
96.2 ng/dL vs 18.0 ng/dL placebo
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed

Weak evidence: one trial reported a smaller creatine-kinase rise, while the other found better perceived recovery only within the ashwagandha group, not versus placebo.[9][10]

Only two small manufacturer-supplied or funded trials address recovery, with inconsistent between-group results. Weak, mixed evidence is Grade C.

Each plate is one paper. Taller = stronger study design, wider = more studies pooled. Tap one.

18′15′
Randomized trial2018· NutrientsIndustry ties
Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Withania somnifera on Strength Training Adaptations and Recovery: The STAR Trial.

In recreationally active men, 500 mg/day Sensoril for 12 weeks of training increased squat and bench 1-RM more than placebo; other body-composition and recovery measures did not differ between groups.

Participants
38
Squat 1-RM gain
+19.1 ± 13.0 kg vs +10.0 ± 6.2 kg placebo
Bench 1-RM gain
+12.8 ± 8.2 kg vs +8.0 ± 6.0 kg placebo
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed
Randomized trial2015· J Int Soc Sports NutrIndustry ties
Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.

In young men new to lifting, 600 mg/day KSM-66 root extract for 8 weeks gave bigger bench-press, leg-extension, arm and chest size, and testosterone gains than placebo.

Participants
57
Bench press 1-RM gain
46.0 kg vs 26.4 kg placebo
Leg extension 1-RM gain
14.5 kg vs 9.8 kg placebo
Testosterone rise
96.2 ng/dL vs 18.0 ng/dL placebo
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govDOI PubMed

All key numbers

Extra bench-press strengthSMD 0.603 RCTs, low certainty, all manufacturer-linked[6]
Testosterone in men+57.43 ng/dLvs placebo, 23-trial meta-analysis; no change in women[4]
Cortisol-1.16 µg/dLvs placebo, 7 RCTs[2]
SleepSMD -0.595 RCTs, 400 adults; larger in insomnia[5]
Aerobic enduranceg = 0.54most consistent performance effect, 13-trial meta-analysis[7]

Evidence timeline— how the evidence built up

Meta-analysis or systematic reviewTrial or narrative review
201520202025
Every paper cited on this page, placed by publication year. Hover a mark to preview it; select it to jump to the reference.

How it works

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a shrub used in Ayurvedic medicine; supplements use extracts of its root or root and leaf, standardised to bioactive withanolides. It is not a normal food, so the diet provides none. KSM-66 is a water-extracted root extract standardised to 5% withanolides; Sensoril is an aqueous root-and-leaf extract.

Its main bioactives, withanolides (steroidal lactones), are thought to act on the body's stress (HPA) axis. Trials consistently show lower cortisol versus placebo. A lower stress-hormone tone during hard training is a proposed, unproven route to better recovery and muscle gain. Muscle-cell effects of withanolides have so far been shown only in lab and animal studies.[2][4][6]

References

Reviewed 03 Oct 2026 · every PubMed ID checked against PubMed

  1. [1]Akhgarjand C, et al. Does Ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2022;36(11):4115-4124. Meta-analysis PubMed · DOI
  2. [2]Albalawi AA. Dual impact of Ashwagandha: Significant cortisol reduction but no effects on perceived stress - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Health. 2025;31(4):1395-1408. Meta-analysis PubMed · DOI
  3. [3]Marchi M, et al. The effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on mental health symptoms in individuals with mental disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. BJPsych Open. 2025;11(6):e260. Meta-analysis PubMed · DOI
  4. [4]Fornalik M, et al. Hormonal Modulation with Withania somnifera: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized-controlled Trials. Planta Med. 2026;92(8):790-805. Meta-analysis PubMed · DOI
  5. [5]Cheah KL, et al. Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2021;16(9):e0257843. Meta-analysis PubMed · DOI
  6. [6]Lee JC, et al. Adjunctive Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Supplementation and Resistance-Training Adaptations in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Random-Effects Meta-Analysis of Muscular Strength, Chest Circumference, and Body Composition. Nutrients. 2026;18(17). Meta-analysis PubMed · DOI
  7. [7]Li X, et al. Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Supplementation on Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review and Three-Level Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2026;18(12). Meta-analysis PubMed · DOI
  8. [8]Bonilla DA, et al. Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021;6(1). Meta-analysis · industry ties PubMed · DOI
  9. [9]Wankhede S, et al. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:43. Randomized trial · industry ties PubMed · DOI
  10. [10]Ziegenfuss TN, et al. Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Withania somnifera on Strength Training Adaptations and Recovery: The STAR Trial. Nutrients. 2018;10(11). Randomized trial · industry ties PubMed · DOI
  11. [11]Lopresti AL, et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. Am J Mens Health. 2019;13(2):1557988319835985. Randomized trial PubMed · DOI
  12. [12]Morgado A, et al. Do "testosterone boosters" really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review. Int J Impot Res. 2024;36(4):348-364. Systematic review PubMed · DOI
  13. [13]Coope OC, et al. Back to the Roots: Safety and Tolerability of Standardised Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Healthy Adults-A Systematic Review of Biomarkers and Adverse Events. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2026;19(5). Systematic review · industry ties PubMed · DOI
  14. [14]Philips CA, et al. Ashwagandha-induced liver injury-A case series from India and literature review. Hepatol Commun. 2023;7(10). Review PubMed · DOI
  15. [15]Mancin L, et al. Reducing the Risk of Unintentional Doping From Supplements: A Practical Guide for Athletes and Support Teams. Transl Sports Med. 2026;2026:5919439. Review PubMed · DOI
  16. [16]Björnsson HK, et al. Ashwagandha-induced liver injury: A case series from Iceland and the US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network. Liver Int. 2020;40(4):825-829. Review PubMed · DOI
  17. [17]Li L, et al. Evaluating the Safety of Ashwagandha as a Food Additive: A Focus on Reproductive, Thyroid, and Immune System Effects. Phytother Res. 2026;40(8):4862-4879. Review PubMed · DOI
  18. [18]Patwardhan B, et al. Danish ban on Ashwagandha: Truth, evidence, ethics, and regulations. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2024;15(4):101028. Review PubMed · DOI
  19. [19]Brendler T, et al. Ashwagandha: Is It Safe? Part 1: A Regulatory Review. Phytother Res. 2026;40(8):4845-4857. Review PubMed · DOI

Dose

300-600 mg/day of a standardised extract (e.g. 300 mg twice daily of KSM-66 root extract, or 500 mg/day Sensoril root-and-leaf extract) in trials

  1. 300-600 mg/day

    Stress reduction was seen at 300-600 mg/day in a dose-response meta-analysis.[1]

  2. 500-600 mg/day

    The most evidence-supported extract dose range for exercise performance; dose analyses were only hypothesis-generating.[7]

  3. ≥600 mg/day

    Sleep effects were more prominent at 600 mg/day or more and with 8 weeks or more of use.[5]

  4. 125-600 mg/day up to 180 days

    Range over which standardised root extract was well tolerated in healthy adults; little data beyond 180 days.[13]

Lab note

Timing. Trials gave it daily for 8-12 weeks, with KSM-66 split into two 300 mg doses. No study has compared morning and evening dosing.[6][9]

Which form?— hover or tap

KSM-66 (root extract, 5% withanolides)Best studied

Used in two of the three resistance-training trials, at 300 mg twice daily.[6][9]

Sensoril (root-and-leaf aqueous extract)Unknown

One 12-week strength trial at 500 mg/day, funded by its maker.[10]

Shoden (high-withanolide-glycoside extract)Unknown

Tested for hormones in older overweight men (21 mg withanolide glycosides/day), not for strength.[11]

Non-standardised or multi-herb productsUnknown

Not the forms tested in efficacy trials; liver-injury reports include both multi-ingredient and single-ingredient products, and multi-ingredient booster blends carry the highest contamination risk.[13][14][15]

Who benefits

Benefit more
  • People with insomnia (larger sleep effect)
  • Men rather than women for testosterone
  • Highly stressed or anxious adults, who made up many stress trials
Benefit less
  • Women, for testosterone
  • Experienced lifters: strength trials used novice or recreational trainees

Sources[1][4][5][6]

Safety

Caution
A 2026 systematic review of 23 trials (2317 healthy adults, 125-600 mg/day for up to 180 days) found no serious adverse events and normal liver, kidney and hormone markers. However, case series describe cholestatic liver injury, including deaths in people with existing liver disease, and EU regulators are reviewing whether to restrict it in food supplements.
Possible side effects
  • Mild stomach upset, headache and drowsiness, reported about as often as with placebo (Coope 2026)
  • Rare herb-induced liver injury with jaundice and itching, starting 2-12 weeks after use and usually resolving in 1-5 months (Björnsson 2020)
  • Small rise in thyroid hormone T4 (+0.61 µg/dL) in pooled trials (Fornalik 2026)
Talk to a doctor first if
  • You have liver disease: in an Indian case series, 3 of 5 people with chronic liver disease developed acute-on-chronic liver failure and died (Philips 2023)
  • You are pregnant, or have a thyroid disorder or kidney or liver dysfunction (Li 2026 safety review)
  • You develop jaundice, dark urine or itching while taking it: stop and see a doctor
Lab note
Buy products certified by Informed Sport, Informed Choice or NSF Certified for Sport. Supplements can contain things that aren’t on the label.

Myths vs research— scroll through

Myth

Ashwagandha is a proven muscle builder.

What the research says

The strength data are three small manufacturer-linked trials, rated low certainty, and no trial measured muscle directly with imaging.[6]

Myth

It's a herb, so it can't hurt you.

What the research says

Case series document cholestatic liver injury, including deaths in people with existing liver disease, even from single-ingredient products.[14][16]

Myth

Ashwagandha will push testosterone into a higher range.

What the research says

The pooled rise in men is about 57 ng/dL, and rises stayed within normal physiological ranges.[4][13]

FAQ

Possibly a little if you are a man: pooled trials show about +57 ng/dL, mostly in stressed or older men. It is not a substitute for medical assessment of low testosterone.[4][12]

Trials of standardised root extract up to 180 days found normal liver tests, but rare liver injury has been reported, usually 2-12 weeks after starting. Avoid it if you have liver disease.[13][14][16][17]

Both have one or two positive strength trials funded or supplied by their makers; no head-to-head comparison exists.[6][10]

A small benefit in a meta-analysis of five trials, larger in insomnia and at 600 mg/day or more for at least 8 weeks.[5]

No. Denmark has banned it and EU regulators have recommended a procedure that could ban it from food supplements. It is not on the WADA prohibited list.[18][19]

  • All three resistance-training trials in Lee 2026 were funded or supplied by ashwagandha manufacturers (stated in the PMC full text): Wankhede 2015 used KSM-66 supplied by Ixoreal BioMed; Ziegenfuss 2018 was funded by Natreon (Sensoril), which also owns the data.
  • Bonilla 2021 authors disclose ties to a company selling an ashwagandha product (MTX) and to industry-sponsored ashwagandha research; Coope 2026 authors include employees of and consultants to supplement companies.
  • Lopresti 2019 names Arjuna Natural Ltd (the extract maker) as not involved in design or analysis; funding source was not stated in the PubMed record, so industry_funded is left null.
  • Lee 2026 GRADE certainty was low for strength and very low for chest circumference; under Hartung-Knapp adjustment both strength estimates lost significance. The meta-analysis was not registered.
  • Fornalik 2026 abstract does not give a confidence interval for the testosterone difference; it reports a significant sex difference.
  • Marchi 2025 participants (713) = 360 treated + 353 controls, as stated in the abstract.
  • Regulatory status: the Danish ban is reported via an editorial critical of it (Patwardhan 2024); the EU Article 8 recommendation comes from Brendler 2026's abstract. Current national rules were not checked directly.
  • Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera and withanolides do not appear in the WADA 2026 Prohibited List (searched the list PDF). Multi-ingredient 'testosterone booster' products carry contamination risk (Mancin 2026).
  • Records were retrieved through NCBI E-utilities; extract-type and funding details came from the PMC full texts of Wankhede 2015, Ziegenfuss 2018 and Lee 2026.

Where to buy— matched to the researched form and dose

For stress and sleep, match the trials: a single-ingredient KSM-66 root extract at 600 mg a day (one 600 mg capsule, or 300 mg twice daily) for at least 8 weeks. Skip multi-herb 'testosterone booster' blends. None of the KSM-66 products found on amazon.in is listed by Informed Choice, Informed Sport or NSF Certified for Sport.

TrueBasics

TrueBasics Ashwagandha 600mg of KSM-66 Ashwagandha, 60 Capsules

Top pick
₹15a serving · ₹929 a pack
Dose
600 mg KSM-66 root extract (1 capsule)
Price
₹929
Cost / serving
₹15

One capsule gives the 600 mg/day KSM-66 dose used in the stress and sleep trials. The only listed ingredient is KSM-66 root extract, and HealthKart's own company sells it.

No third-party certificate found60 capsules · 60 servingsSold by Bright Lifecare Private Limited

Watch out: Not on any sports certifier's register, so it isn't batch-tested for banned substances. Ashwagandha has rare reports of liver injury. Don't take it if you have liver disease, a thyroid disorder or are pregnant. Stop and see a doctor if you get jaundice, dark urine or itching.

Price seen 2026-10-03View on Amazon
Carbamide Forte

Carbamide Forte Ashwagandha KSM66 600mg - 60 Tablets I KSM 66 Ashwagandha Tablets for Men & Women | Supports Stress Management & Muscle Recovery

Budget pick
₹10a serving · ₹615 a pack
Dose
600 mg KSM-66 (1 tablet, per listing title)
Price
₹615
Cost / serving
₹10

The cheapest single-ingredient KSM-66 option found at the trial dose of 600 mg per tablet. The listing's only ingredient is 'Ashwagandha KSM 66'.

No third-party certificate found60 tablets · 60 servingsSold by RK World Infocom Pvt Ltd

Watch out: Not third-party certified. The listing names no excipients, so check the label on the pack. Liver caution: avoid it if you have liver disease, and stop if you get jaundice, dark urine or itching.

Price seen 2026-10-03View on Amazon
Tata 1mg

Tata 1mg Tejasya Ashwagandha KSM-66 Capsules | 600 mg Root Extract per Capsule

Best value
₹11a serving · ₹665 a pack
Dose
600 mg KSM-66 root extract (1 capsule)
Price
₹665
Cost / serving
₹11

600 mg KSM-66 root extract per capsule, at the studied dose, sold directly by Tata 1mg. The same contract maker (BACFO Pharmaceuticals) also makes the TrueBasics capsule.

No third-party certificate found60 capsules · 60 servingsSold by TATA 1MG

Watch out: Not third-party certified, and the listing doesn't print a full ingredient list. Liver caution applies as above. The 'muscle strength' claims on the listing aren't backed by the research (Grade C).

Price seen 2026-10-03View on Amazon

Prices change; the price shown is the one seen on 2026-10-03. Third-party sellers on Amazon can change; check the seller and the certifier’s batch search before you buy. Proven Stack may earn a commission from these links in future. Picks are chosen for form, dose and third-party testing, never for payment.

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