There was a great deal of action at Vitafoods Europe earlier this year around botanicals in general, and adaptogens in particular. These powerful botanical ingredients have the ability to bring the body into balance, supporting a healthy immune or inflammatory response. There are a number of powerful adaptogens in the market, from Rhodiola rosea to eleuthero and ginseng to maca. But one that is particularly notable of late is ashwagandha.
The Indian botanical Withania somnifera Dunal—or ashwagandha—is known in Ayurvedic practice as a rasayana, or life extender. It has been used for more than 4,000 years for its ability to support the body, both physical and mental. Today, it can be found in myriad markets around the globe, formulated not only into dietary supplements but also into beverages, foods and much more.
A recent documentary, “Ashwagandha: Adaptogen of Today," debuted on the Ashwagandha Advantage website, which is sponsored by KSM-66 Ashwagandha and developed by SupplySide. I had the opportunity to travel to India along with Chris Kilham, “the Medicine Hunter," to learn more about ashwagandha, including its traditional use, clinical research corroborating that use, today’s production techniques, traceability in the supply chain and much more.
The importance of clinical research can’t be overstated. As companies are looking to develop unique products for consumers, consumers are, in turn, looking for the science that substantiates the claims. Often, this can be hard to find or challenging to understand. To help this process, we’ve developed a series of Infographics that break down published human studies into the theory, study parameters, outcomes and market impact.
Much more information is available at ashwagandhaadvantage.com, and I invite you to dive in to discover the power of ashwagandha for your own formulations.
