NOW Foods KSM-66 Ashwagandha 90 Veg Capsules

What it is

NOW Foods KSM-66 Ashwagandha is a dietary supplement supplying 600 mg of organic KSM-66 Ashwagandha extract per veg capsule, in a bottle of 90 veg capsules. The Supplement Facts panel carries a single active row: Organic KSM-66 Ashwagandha® Extract (Withania somnifera) (Root), 600 mg. Serving size is one veg capsule, so a bottle covers 90 days at the label's suggested usage. The front of the bottle marks it Non-GMO and Vegetarian/Vegan, and it sits in the brand's Botanicals/Herbs line.

That one-line panel is the whole specification, which makes this an easy product to compare against other supplements on the shelf: one botanical, one strength, one capsule a day.

What's inside

Ashwagandha is a shrub native to India, the Middle East and parts of Africa, known botanically as Withania somnifera and used for centuries in Ayurvedic preparations. The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health publishes general background on the plant in its Ashwagandha fact sheet, and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements gives a broader overview of plant-derived supplements in its botanical dietary supplements fact sheet. Neither is connected to this product; they are offered as independent reading on the plant itself.

Two details on this label narrow down what the extract actually is. First, the panel specifies (Root) — the extract is taken from the root of the plant, not the leaf and not a root-and-leaf combination. Second, the extract is organic and carries the KSM-66 name, which the bottle notes is a registered trademark of Ixoreal Biomed Inc. The usage panel describes KSM-66 as a full-spectrum extract produced using a proprietary extraction process that uses neither alcohol nor other chemical solvents. That is a statement about how the material is made, and it is printed on the pack.

The capsule itself is plant-based. Other ingredients, as printed: Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Microcrystalline Cellulose, Ascorbyl Palmitate and Silicon Dioxide. The panel assigns no role to these, so neither do we — they are reproduced exactly as the label lists them. The bottle also carries a note that natural color variation may occur in this product, which is ordinary for a botanical extract and not a sign that anything is wrong with a given bottle.

Supplement Facts

How to use it

The label's suggested usage is: take 1 capsule daily. That is the entire direction printed on the bottle — the pack gives no timing, no with-food instruction and no cycling schedule, so none is offered here. For storage, the panel says to store in a cool, dry place after opening.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults 18 and over who are specifically looking for an ashwagandha root extract in a once-daily veg capsule, at the 600 mg strength printed on the panel. The capsule shell is hypromellose rather than gelatin, and the front of the bottle is marked Vegetarian/Vegan, so it suits people avoiding animal-derived capsules. It is not suitable for everyone — read the printed cautions below before deciding. You can browse the wider Health & Wellness range for other formats and botanicals.

Good to know

The bottle prints a detailed caution block, reproduced here from the label: for adults only; not recommended for pregnant/nursing women; consult 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. Keep out of reach of children.

On allergens, the panel states: 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. That second half matters if you are highly sensitive, so it is quoted rather than condensed. General guidance on using supplements alongside medication is available from NIH ODS in Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know.

Two more things printed on the pack: it is manufactured by NOW Foods, 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale, IL 60108, USA, and made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. The bottle itself is made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many capsules are in the bottle, and how long does a bottle go?

There are 90 veg capsules in the bottle, which covers 90 days at the label's suggested usage of one capsule daily. Serving size on the Supplement Facts panel is one veg capsule, and each serving supplies 600 mg of organic KSM-66 Ashwagandha extract.

Is this ashwagandha made from the root or the leaf?

The root. The Supplement Facts panel specifies Withania somnifera (Root), so the extract in this bottle is a root extract rather than a leaf or whole-plant preparation.

Is the capsule vegetarian, and is the product Non-GMO?

Yes to both, as printed on the bottle. The capsule shell is hypromellose, a plant-derived cellulose, and the front of the pack is marked Vegetarian/Vegan and Non-GMO.

Does it contain gluten, soy or dairy?

No — the label states it is not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. The same panel adds that it is produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens, which is worth knowing if your sensitivity is severe.

How is the order packaged for delivery?

Orders ship in plain outer packaging with no product imagery or description on the outside. 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.