NOW Foods Ashwagandha Extract Liquid Organic 2 fl oz

What it is

This is NOW Foods Certified Organic Ashwagandha Extract, a liquid herbal extract of Withania somnifera root supplied in a 2 fl. oz. (59 mL) amber glass bottle with a rubber-bulb dropper. The front label describes it as a Liquid Extract and a Dietary Supplement, and the panel sets the serving at one dropperful, approximately 1 mL. That works out to about 59 servings in the bottle.

It is a single-botanical preparation. The Supplement Facts panel carries one active entry, and the other ingredients are water and organic cane alcohol — the liquid the root was extracted into. That is the whole of the contents as printed.

What's inside

The Supplement Facts panel lists exactly one active entry: Organic Ashwagandha Extract (Withania somnifera) (Root), 1 mL per serving. The panel marks it with a double asterisk and states "Daily Value not established", which is the standard notation for a botanical that has no reference intake set.

Ashwagandha is a shrub in the nightshade family, grown widely in India and parts of North Africa and the Middle East. Its root has a long history of use in Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine of the Indian subcontinent. The NCCIH page on ashwagandha gives general background on the plant and on what is and is not known about it.

The extraction, and why the ratio is printed. The panel declares a 1:2 herb strength ratio and approximately 500 mg herb equivalency per 1 mL serving. In plain terms: one part dried root was extracted into two parts of solvent, so each milliliter of finished liquid represents roughly half a gram of the starting root material. This is how liquid botanical extracts are conventionally described, and it is the number to use if you are comparing this bottle with a powdered or encapsulated product. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements background page on botanical supplements explains how extract strengths and plant parts are expressed on labels generally.

The base. Other ingredients are Water and Organic Cane Alcohol (approximately 48%). The alcohol is not an additive in the usual sense — it is the extraction solvent, and it stays in the finished product. That has two practical consequences. It is why the label says "Contains alcohol", and it is why the directions tell you to mix the dose into warm water rather than take it neat. Anyone avoiding alcohol for any reason should know it is here, and at close to half the volume it is not a trace amount.

Color. The label notes that natural color variation may occur in this product. Botanical extracts are not standardized for color, so the shade can differ between bottles.

How to use it

The label's Suggested Usage is: mix 1 dropperful in warm water, 1 to 3 times daily. The dropper bulb draws approximately 1 mL when squeezed and released, which is the panel's serving size, so one full dropperful is one serving. Warm water is the stated medium — it helps the alcohol-based extract disperse rather than sitting on the surface.

At one dropperful a day the bottle covers roughly two months; taken three times daily it covers roughly three weeks. Keep the cap closed between uses and store the bottle out of direct sunlight, which is what the amber glass is for.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults 18 and over who want ashwagandha root in liquid form rather than as a capsule or tablet. A liquid extract suits people who dislike swallowing capsules, who want to vary the amount they take within the label's stated range, or who prefer to add a supplement to a drink. It is marked Vegetarian/Vegan on the front label, so it also suits anyone avoiding gelatin capsules. You can browse comparable items in our Supplements range or the wider Health & Wellness section.

It is explicitly not for everyone. The label states it is for adults only and not to be used by pregnant or nursing women.

Good to know

The bottle carries a full printed caution, and it is worth reading before you buy rather than after. In the manufacturer's own words: for adults only; not to be used by pregnant/nursing women; consult a physician if taking medication (especially thyroid hormones) or if you have a medical condition (especially thyroid, liver, and gastrointestinal conditions, including ulcers). The label adds that this product may cause digestive upset in some sensitive individuals, that you should discontinue use if you experience any gastrointestinal discomfort after using it, and that you should discontinue use if rash or itching occurs. It also states: contains alcohol, and keep out of reach of children.

Those named conditions are on the package for a reason, and the thyroid and liver mentions in particular are the ones people tend to skim past. If any of them apply to you, the label's instruction is to speak to a physician first. General guidance on using herbal products alongside medication is available from NCCIH's page on dietary and herbal supplements. Neither that page nor any other source linked here refers to this item.

Marks printed on this bottle: a USDA Organic seal, with the panel naming QAI as the certifying body; a Non-GMO Project Verified seal carrying the nongmoproject.org legend; and a GMP Quality Assured roundel. The panel also states "Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients" and "Family owned since 1968." Labels for this and other US supplements can be looked up in the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Allergen statement, as printed: not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many servings are in the 2 fl oz bottle?

About 59. The Supplement Facts panel sets one serving at one dropperful, approximately 1 mL, and the bottle holds 2 fl. oz. (59 mL), so the panel's figure and the net content agree.

Does this ashwagandha liquid contain alcohol?

Yes — organic cane alcohol at approximately 48%, listed alongside water as the other ingredient. It is the solvent the root was extracted into rather than an added flavoring, and the bottle carries a printed "Contains alcohol" statement.

Is it organic, and who certifies it?

It is certified organic, and the panel names QAI as the certifier. The front label reads "Certified Organic" and carries the USDA Organic seal, and the panel states "Certified Organic by QAI."

Is this suitable for vegans?

Yes — the front label is marked Vegetarian/Vegan. As a liquid in a glass bottle there is no gelatin capsule shell involved, and the listed ingredients are the organic ashwagandha root extract, water and organic cane alcohol.

How is my order packaged?

Your order ships in plain, unmarked outer packaging. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.