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10 July 2026

Ashwagandha: What Standardisation Actually Means

An adaptogen is only as good as its standardisation. What the percentage on the label means, and why we will not promise you a cortisol number.

Ashwagandha: What Standardisation Actually Means

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been used in Ayurvedic practice for centuries and has accumulated a substantial modern research literature. It is also one of the easiest supplements to sell you badly, because the number on the front of the pack tells you almost nothing on its own.

Why the milligram figure is not the whole story

A label saying 600 mg of ashwagandha extract tells you the weight of powder in the capsule. It does not tell you how much of the active compound is in that powder. Two products at the same milligram figure can differ several-fold in what they actually deliver.

The missing number is the standardisation percentage. Ours is standardised to 5% withanolides, which works out at 30 mg of withanolides per daily dose. Without that second figure, milled root and a concentrated extract look identical on a label and are not remotely the same product.

What we are allowed to claim, and what we are not

Nothing. Ashwagandha carries no approved health claim on the EU Register of nutrition and health claims, so under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 we may not tell you it reduces stress, lowers cortisol, or improves sleep — regardless of what any individual study reports.

We would rather state that plainly than write around it. What we can tell you is what is in the capsule, at what concentration, and that the dose matches the levels used in placebo-controlled trials. What it does for you is your own experiment.

If you are going to try it

  • Give it four to six weeks — adaptogens work cumulatively, not acutely
  • Take it consistently, with a meal
  • It is not a sedative and should not make you drowsy
  • Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for under-18s
  • If you take thyroid or sedative medication, speak to a pharmacist first

Our approach

Adaptogen Balance is a full-spectrum root extract standardised to 5% withanolides, at 600 mg per daily dose, in a plant-based capsule. No proprietary blend, no branded-ingredient licensing fee, and no claim we cannot point to a source for.

Vespera Équilibre adaptogène - Ashwagandha
Stress & Balance

Adaptogen Balance — Ashwagandha

Root extract standardised to 5% withanolides · €24,99

This article is general information, not medical advice. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication, consult a healthcare professional before starting anything new.


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