Rooted in tradition and science: The compelling case for 'root-only' ashwagandha extracts [Interview]

Revered for its array of adaptogenic properties, the ashwagandha root has enjoyed a history of use spanning millennia. And when it comes to safety and efficacy for internal consumption, the consensus of most scientists and regulatory authorities is that the ashwagandha root – and not the leaves or other aerial parts of the plant – should be the only source of such extracts.

Root extracts are also evidently where consumer demand exists today, with insights from Amazon revealing that ashwagandha root products grew by 64% year-over-year, while the top 20 best-selling ashwagandha products sold on Amazon are root-derived.

Selling through various channels such as Amazon, online pharmacies, and its own D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) shop, Gloryfeel GmbH is one of Europe’s leaders in the food supplement e-commerce space, with a range that includes products featuring KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract.

Sebastian Tok, Gloryfeel’s Senior R&D Manager, outlines his company’s strong emphasis on developing laboratory-tested, high-quality supplements that offer consumers tangible value for money. “To reflect this commitment to premium quality in our products, we increasingly focus on using branded ingredients during development.” A great example of this, he tells us, is KSM-66 Ashwagandha, whose unerring quality focus since inception has meant using only high-grade root pieces for processing into its award-winning organic extract. 

As the world’s leading ashwagandha root extract, KSM-66 comes with a significant advantage, notes Tok: “It is backed by numerous studies and has become synonymous with the highest quality and safety in this segment.” And those attributes, alongside KSM-66 Ashwagandha’s dominance in the segment, have their foundations firmly set in the branded adaptogen’s strictly root-only philosophy.

What does the traditional use of ashwagandha tell us about how ashwagandha should (and should not) be consumed?

“Traditionally, mainly the root of the ashwagandha plant was used internally. The ashwagandha root was processed into powder and then mixed in milk or water and consumed. This also corresponds to the common recommended practice of taking standardised ashwagandha root extracts. With regard to the frequency of intake, ashwagandha root powder was typically consumed daily over longer periods of time, as short-term effects were not expected. With regard to the effect of ashwagandha, it is important to mention that no authorised health claims are currently permitted in the area of food supplements on the basis of the Health Claim Regulation.”

What is the Government of India’s stance on the ‘roots vs. leaves’ debate’, and what does this tell us in terms of the practices that the nutraceuticals industry should be adhering to?

“The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a clear position on the ‘roots vs. leaves’ debate. The FSSAI has included only the root of the ashwagandha plant in its list of approved botanicals for food and food supplements. Safety considerations played a particularly important role in its inclusion. The leaf extracts often contain a different withanolide matrix compared to the root. Among other things, withaferin A is suspected of causing side effects and is mainly found in leaf extracts.

“The industry should adhere to applicable guidelines, such as the correct declaration of the type of extract used, and the withanolide content, alongside focusing on the procurement of high-quality ashwagandha root extracts, in order to bring high-quality products onto the market in the interests of consumer safety.”

What can modern research demonstrate regarding the efficacy to human health of quality root extracts like KSM-66 Ashwagandha over leaf-derived extracts?

“Clinical studies mainly focus on the root extracts of the ashwagandha plant. Accordingly, most of the beneficial effects documented in the studies relate primarily to the root. Nevertheless, it is still important to mention that although the studies show interesting results, EFSA has not yet approved any health claims for ashwagandha root extracts.”

I hear there is also a strong sustainability argument in opting for roots over leaves – could you please elaborate upon this?

“Using the ashwagandha root instead of the leaves is more sustainable as it enables better utilisation of the plant. The leaves and stems can be returned to the soil as organic compost, which in turn can increase soil fertility and promote a circular economy. At the same time, farmers benefit economically as the roots have a far higher market value. This leads to a more efficient use of the plant, and promotes environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture.”

To conclude, what do you see as the key takeaways regarding why root extracts are vital to the ashwagandha market’s future?

“Ashwagandha root extracts are critical to the future of the market as they combine traditional use, scientific research, regulatory recognition, sustainability, and consumer preference. Their use ensures that the products are both safe and effective, while supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both consumers and farmers.”