Medicinal Ingredients (per capsule):
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Root) (4:1, QCE 2,000 mg) 500 mg

Non-Medicinal Ingredients:
Hypromellose (Capsule Shell)

Recommended Dose:
Adults: 2 Capsules 1 time per day.

Cautions and Warnings:
Consumption with alcohol, other drugs or natural health products with sedative properties is not recommended.

*Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Q: What is ashwagandha used for?
A: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract is traditionally used in Ayurveda as a Rasayana (Rejuvenative Tonic) and to relieve general debility, especially during convalescence or old age. Those are the Health Canada approved uses for this product (NPN 80062481). Rasayana is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, meaning path of essence: herbs used to promote rejuvenation, vitality, and resilience. General debility is a state of weakness or lack of vitality. Convalescence is the recovery period following illness, surgery, or prolonged physical or mental stress. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Q: What does 4:1 extract mean and what is QCE 2,000mg?
A: A 4:1 extract means that 4g of dried ashwagandha root is processed to produce 1g of extract powder, concentrating the withanolides and other bioactive compounds to approximately four times their concentration in dried root powder. QCE stands for Quantity Crude Equivalent: QCE 2,000mg means each 500mg capsule is equivalent to 2,000mg of the crude (dried, unprocessed) ashwagandha root in terms of the extracted compounds. At the suggested dose of 2 capsules per day, the daily intake is 1,000mg of extract with a QCE of 4,000mg, equivalent to 4g of dried ashwagandha root per day. This is the basis for the 4x extra strength designation.

Q: What are withanolides and how do they work?
A: Withanolides are the primary bioactive compounds in ashwagandha root: ergostane-type steroidal lactones unique to the Withania genus. The most studied withanolide is withaferin A. Withanolides work through two primary mechanisms. The first is HPA axis modulation: the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis is the body's primary stress response system, regulating the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex via the CRH-ACTH cascade. Chronic stress dysregulates this axis, leading to sustained elevated cortisol. Withanolides modulate the HPA axis, supporting normalization of cortisol output. The second is GABA-mimetic activity: ashwagandha compounds interact with GABA-A receptors, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system, contributing to calming properties. This GABA-mimetic activity is the basis for the caution against combining ashwagandha with alcohol or sedative medications.

Q: What is an adaptogen and is ashwagandha one?
A: An adaptogen is a substance that increases the body's non-specific resistance to stress. The term was coined by Soviet pharmacologist Nikolai Lazarev in 1947. An adaptogen is characterized by three properties: a non-specific action (increases resistance to a wide range of stressors), a normalizing effect (brings the body toward homeostasis regardless of the direction of deviation), and safety at normal doses. Ashwagandha is one of the most extensively studied adaptogens in both the Ayurvedic tradition and modern pharmacological research. Its withanolide content and HPA axis modulating activity are the primary mechanisms underlying its adaptogenic classification.

Q: What is Rasayana in Ayurveda?
A: Rasayana is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda (the traditional Indian system of medicine). The word comes from Sanskrit: rasa (essence or juice) and ayana (path), meaning path of essence. Rasayana herbs are those used in Ayurvedic practice to promote longevity, rejuvenation, and vitality. They are used to restore strength and vitality following periods of depletion, illness, or aging. Ashwagandha is one of the most important Rasayana herbs in the Ayurvedic Materia Medica, alongside other herbs such as shatavari and amalaki. The Health Canada approved use for this product reflects this traditional classification: traditionally used in Ayurveda as Rasayana (Rejuvenative Tonic).

Q: How should I take this product and how long does the bottle last?
A: Adults: 2 capsules, 1 time per day. At 2 capsules per day, the 60 capsule bottle provides a 30 day supply. Take with water. Consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and duration of use for your individual needs.

Q: Are there any safety considerations or drug interactions?
A: Consumption with alcohol, other drugs, or natural health products with sedative properties is not recommended. Ashwagandha has GABA-mimetic activity and can potentiate the effects of CNS depressants including alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and opioids. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as withanolides have demonstrated uterotonic activity in preclinical studies. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are taking any medications or have a pre-existing medical condition. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Q: Is this product vegan and what is in the capsule?
A: Yes. The capsule shell is made from hypromellose (HPMC, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), a vegetable-derived cellulose polymer, not gelatin. The formula contains only two ingredients: ashwagandha root extract (the medicinal ingredient) and hypromellose (the capsule shell). No animal-derived ingredients, no artificial additives, non GMO.

Q: How does ashwagandha compare to standard ashwagandha powder capsules?
A: Standard ashwagandha capsules typically contain dried root powder, providing the complete root matrix at the stated weight. This formula uses a 4:1 extract, meaning the withanolides and other soluble bioactive compounds are concentrated to approximately four times their concentration in dried root powder. A 500mg capsule of this 4:1 extract delivers the equivalent of QCE 2,000mg of dried root. At 2 capsules per day, the daily QCE is 4,000mg, which would require 8 standard 500mg dried root powder capsules to match in terms of crude root equivalent. The extract format delivers a higher concentration of the primary bioactives per capsule.