Researchers tested 25 ashwagandha supplements sold in stores to see if they met official quality standards from Britain and the United States. They found a big problem: over half of the products didn’t contain what the label promised. The main issue was that many companies were using the plant’s leaves instead of the roots, which have different amounts of active ingredients. Some products also had unexpected chemicals that made it hard to know what was really in them. This study shows that shoppers need to be careful when buying ashwagandha supplements because many don’t meet the safety and quality rules that are supposed to protect consumers.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether ashwagandha supplements sold in stores actually meet the official quality standards set by health authorities in Britain and the United States
  • Who participated: 25 ashwagandha supplement products bought from commercial sources, plus raw ashwagandha plant samples
  • Key finding: More than half of the ashwagandha supplements tested failed to meet quality standards—44% didn’t meet British standards and 60% didn’t meet US standards. Only 10 out of 25 products passed both standards.
  • What it means for you: If you take ashwagandha supplements, you may not be getting what the label says. Many products use cheaper plant leaves instead of roots, which have different amounts of active ingredients. This suggests you should look for products that specifically say they use ashwagandha root and come from trusted brands that test their products.

The Research Details

Scientists used a special laboratory test called HPLC (a machine that separates and measures chemicals) to check what was actually in 25 ashwagandha supplements. They compared the results against official quality standards from both the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) and the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). These are like rulebooks that say what should be in a supplement to make it safe and effective. The researchers measured three important active ingredients in ashwagandha called steroidal lactones—these are the compounds that are supposed to give ashwagandha its health benefits. They tested both raw ashwagandha plant samples and finished supplement products to see where the problems were coming from.

This research matters because ashwagandha has become very popular since the COVID-19 pandemic, with millions of people buying it as a supplement. However, there’s been confusion about which part of the plant to use (roots versus leaves) and how to test if products are good quality. Different countries have different rules, which makes it confusing for companies and consumers. By testing real products against official standards, this study shows us whether the current rules actually work to protect people buying these supplements.

This is a solid research study because the scientists used a precise laboratory method to test actual products you can buy in stores. They compared their results against two different official standards, which makes the findings more reliable. However, the study only tested 25 products, which is a relatively small number. The researchers were transparent about what they found and explained the problems clearly. One strength is that they tested both the raw plant material and finished products, which helped them figure out where quality problems start.

What the Results Show

The researchers found shocking quality problems with ashwagandha supplements. When they tested the products against British standards, 44% failed—meaning they didn’t have enough of the active ingredients or had other problems. When they tested against US standards, 60% failed. Only 10 out of 25 products (40%) passed both sets of standards. This means that if you bought ashwagandha randomly from a store, you’d have a better than 50% chance of getting a product that doesn’t meet official quality rules. The main reason for these failures was that many products contained a chemical called dihydrowithaferin sulfate that wasn’t supposed to be there in high amounts. This chemical comes from ashwagandha leaves, not roots, and it interferes with the test results.

The researchers discovered that most ashwagandha supplements weren’t actually made from ashwagandha roots, even though traditional use and most research studies use roots. Only 2 out of 25 products were confirmed to be made from roots alone. The rest contained varying amounts of leaves mixed in, and many companies didn’t even tell customers this on the label. The amount of active ingredients varied wildly between products—some had much more, some had much less than what the label claimed. This variation suggests that there’s no consistent quality control across the supplement industry.

This research adds to growing concerns about supplement quality that other scientists have reported. Previous studies have shown that many herbal supplements don’t contain what they claim, but this is one of the first detailed studies comparing ashwagandha products against official standards from multiple countries. The findings support earlier warnings that the supplement industry needs better oversight and that current quality standards may not be strict enough or may not be properly enforced.

This study tested only 25 products, which is a small sample. We don’t know where these products came from or how they were stored before testing, which could affect the results. The study doesn’t tell us whether the products that failed would actually cause harm to people taking them—just that they don’t meet official standards. The researchers also didn’t test how well the active ingredients actually work in the human body. Finally, this study was done at one point in time, so quality might change if companies improve their processes.

The Bottom Line

If you take ashwagandha, look for products that specifically state they use ashwagandha root (not leaves or ‘whole plant’). Choose brands that are certified by third-party testing organizations like USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab, which independently verify what’s in the product. Check the label for the amount of active ingredients (withanolides) listed. Be skeptical of very cheap products, as they may be more likely to have quality problems. Consider talking to your doctor or pharmacist about which brands they recommend. (Confidence level: Moderate—based on this one study, though it confirms concerns others have raised.)

Anyone taking ashwagandha supplements should care about this research, especially people taking it for serious health reasons. People with allergies or sensitivities should be extra careful since they might be getting unexpected ingredients. Healthcare providers should know about this when recommending ashwagandha to patients. Supplement companies should use this as a wake-up call to improve their quality control. People thinking about starting ashwagandha should read this before buying. However, this doesn’t mean ashwagandha is dangerous—it just means you need to be careful about which product you choose.

If you switch to a higher-quality ashwagandha product, you probably won’t notice an immediate difference. Most people who take ashwagandha report benefits after taking it consistently for 2-4 weeks, though some effects may take longer. The quality issue affects whether you’re actually getting the active ingredients over time, so using a good product matters for long-term benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track which ashwagandha product you’re using (brand name and whether it’s certified) and note any changes in stress levels, sleep quality, or energy on a scale of 1-10 weekly. This helps you see if your specific product is actually working for you.
  • Use the app to set a reminder to research and switch to a certified ashwagandha product (one with third-party testing). Log the specific brand you choose and the certification it has (USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab). This ensures you’re taking a product more likely to contain what the label promises.
  • Every 3 months, check if your ashwagandha brand still has third-party certification and hasn’t been recalled. Track your wellness metrics (stress, sleep, energy) to see if the product continues to work for you. If you notice changes in how you feel, it might be time to verify your product’s quality again.

This research shows that many ashwagandha supplements don’t meet official quality standards, but it doesn’t mean ashwagandha itself is unsafe or ineffective. If you currently take ashwagandha, don’t stop without talking to your doctor first. This study is about product quality, not whether ashwagandha works. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement, especially if you take medications or have health conditions. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.