Ashwagandha is Withania somnifera, a small shrub in the nightshade family that is widely used in Ayurveda. The root is the part traditionally used, and it is what most buyers mean when they ask for ashwagandha.
Leaves are also harvested and some extracts use them, but leaf has a different chemical profile. If you need root, say root only in every document.
Where it is grown
In India, ashwagandha is grown mainly in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, with the Neemuch and Mandsaur area of Madhya Pradesh well known for the crop. It is usually sown after the monsoon and the roots are dug in the dry season, roughly in the early months of the year. Confirm the timing for the current season with your supplier.
Forms of ashwagandha sold
- Dried whole root, sorted by thickness. Thicker, cleaner roots are commonly traded as better grades.
- Cut root pieces, for teas and further milling.
- Root powder, milled and sieved to a mesh, used in capsules and drink mixes.
- Extracts, standardised to a stated withanolide content, made by extraction units.
- Leaf and leaf powder, sold separately and not a substitute for root.
Why the plant part matters
Root and leaf contain different amounts and types of withanolides. Leaf is generally richer in some compounds, such as withaferin A. Adding leaf to root powder can raise a total withanolide figure while changing what the product actually is. Ayurvedic tradition uses the root, and many brands specify root only.
Some regulators have also looked closely at ashwagandha safety, and rules differ by country. Check the current position for your market with your food or medicines authority before you launch. Our guide on checking ashwagandha is root only explains the tests.
What to ask a supplier
For marker levels, see what withanolide content root powder should have.
- Botanical name and plant part on the quote, spec and certificate of analysis.
- Where the roots are grown and who dries and mills them.
- Withanolide content by a named method, usually HPLC.
- Heavy metals, pesticide residues and microbiology results from an accredited lab.
- Organic certificates, if needed, that name ashwagandha root.
- Whether the product is raw root powder or an extract. They are different products.
Grades of root
Dried roots are commonly sorted by thickness, length and cleanliness. Thicker, pale, starchy roots with little fibre and no stem crown are usually seen as better grades. Thin, fibrous roots and root crowns are cheaper and often go into powder. Grade names differ between traders, so describe what you want in your spec rather than relying on a grade name.
If you buy powder, ask which root grade goes into it. A powder made from crowns and thin roots will look and test differently from one made from cleaner root.
How we help
We trace ashwagandha back to the processors who sort, clean and mill the roots, audit them and have samples tested for identity, withanolides and safety at NABL-accredited labs. Ask for a free sourcing review.