KSM-66 Ashwagandha: A Conscious Consumer’s Guide

Have you heard? Organic India has just launched our brand new Ashwagandha Organic Gummies.

These tasty little lemon-lime gems are already going fast, and customers are loving the fun new delivery system and big flavor.

One thing that sets these gummies apart is the type of Ashwagandha used in the formula, known as KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Extract.

Those of you who have taken our other Ashwagandha supplements will notice this is a break in tradition from our standard (and beloved) whole root extract.

In this article, we explain everything a conscious consumer needs to know about KSM-66 Ashwagandha Extract, including:

• What it is?
• KSM-66® Ashwagandha Extract vs. traditional Ashwagandha root
• What it does
• The top benefits of KSM-66® Ashwagandha Extract
• Why roots-only?
• Information on sourcing
• And how we’re using it in our new Organic India Ashwagandha Gummies

What is KSM-66 Ashwagandha?

KSM-66® Ashwagandha Extract is a full-spectrum*, highly-studied Ashwagandha root extract that preserves the whole root with all its bioactive compounds and nutrients in their natural proportions.

*Full-spectrum extracts include all the plant’s bioactive components, as nature intended while allowing the manufacturer to ensure specific and balanced concentrations of certain functional components, such as withanolides in Ashwagandha or curcumin in Turmeric.

This creates a highly concentrated, bioavailable, and efficacious dose of Ashwagandha with a milder flavor than traditional root extracts.

KSM-66 Ashwagandha Extract is made using a unique proprietary extraction process that does not use alcohol or any other chemical solvents.

What’s with the name? 

KSM-66 Ashwagandha Extract is a branded product created by our values-aligned extract partner, Ixoreal Biomed. 

We’ll share more about them and our common values in creating the highest quality herbal products coming up.

What is the Difference Between KSM-66 and Ashwagandha?

KSM-66 Ashwagandha Extract is a full-spectrum extract, not a whole herb like we’ve traditionally used in our capsules and powders.

We chose this extract form because it created the best-tasting and best-manufacturing conditions for our Ashwagandha gummies.

As a whole-herb-first company, we do not currently have the systems in place to make our own full-spectrum extracts. This is why we sought a like-minded, Indian-based company like Ixoreal Biomed, which had the perfect organic full-spectrum Ashwagandha extract to create an exceptional gummy.

You can learn more and watch a video of how KSM is made here.

What Does KSM-66 Do?

Like all Ashwagandha, KSM-66 Ashwagandha Extract provides all the benefits of Ashwagandha’s adaptogenic properties.

Case in point, KSM-66 has been evaluated in 24 “Gold Standard” clinical trials and collaborates with major academic and research institutes. 

All Ixoreal-partnered clinical studies follow gold standards of substantiation: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled designs.

5 Top Benefits of KSM-66 Ashwagandha

Whole Ashwagandha root and KSM-66 Ashwagandha Extract provide many studied benefits. Here, we explore the top five based on KSM-66-specific research.

1: Supports A Healthy Stress Response

Ashwagandha has long been known for its adaptogenic properties.

Adaptogens are herbs or other substances that support the body’s stress response by acting on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis.

The HPA Axis is involved in many aspects of stress management, including the release of stress hormones.

Specifically, several studies suggest KSM-66® supports an individual’s stress resistance capacity and may help improve perceived stress.

These results are consistent with traditional Ayurveda’s use of Ashwagandha to reduce stress and support resilience during challenging times.

2: Promotes Strength and Stamina

Ashwagandha means “smell of horse” and is also known as “Indian Ginseng,” these facts speak to its traditional use of promoting strength, stamina, and resilience.

Many people who live in harsh climates, for example, rely on various herbal adaptogens, such as Ashwagandha (India), Rhodiola (Russia), Panax ginseng (China), and Maca (Andean cultures) for these purposes.

Various studies suggest KSM-66® may promote strength and stamina via its effects on cardiorespiratory endurance and recovery in athletic adults.

This is why you’ll often see Ashwagandha in health and fitness supplements and powders. 

These results are also consistent with the traditional use in Ayurveda for promoting strength, stamina, and endurance in men and women living in (or through) physically challenging circumstances that demand extra physical exertion. 

3: Promotes Relaxation

Many people have come to rely on Ashwagandha as a natural means of achieving relaxation, calm focus, and healthy sleep.

Adaptogens are known for their calming properties because of their actions on the HPA axis and stress hormone function.

Regarding KSM, several studies have shown it promotes relaxation, reduces occasional feelings of anxiety, and supports a calm state of mind. It may also help with the roller coaster of emotions that can accompany perimenopause.

Organic India’s Ashwagandha Gummies provide a tasty, convenient, and discreet way to access the relaxing properties of Ashwagandha anywhere and at any time.

4: Supports Cognitive Function

A gummy that may support cognitive function? Yes, please.

Specifically, research suggests KSM-66® may promote various aspects of cognitive function, including:

• Memory,
• Executive function,
• Sustained attention, 
• And information-processing speed.

In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha has long been used to support cognitive function, calm focus, and brain power in adults of all ages.

5: Promotes Healthy Sleep

Ashwagandha supplements have become very popular for supporting various aspects of sleep during different phases of life.

Ayurvedic practitioners may also recommend Ashwagandha for sleep, alone or combined with other herbs and lifestyle practices.

Studies suggest KSM-66® is effective for promoting normal sleep, including sleep quality, onset latency (how long it takes to fall asleep), and mental alertness upon waking.

Its possible effects on the previously mentioned perimenopausal symptoms, relaxation, and occasional anxiety along with thyroid function may also provide additional benefits for sleep, but more research is needed.

Learn more about the benefits of Ashwagandha in:

• Top 7 Ashwagandha Benefits for Women
• Top 5 Ashwagandha Benefits for Men
• Shatavari vs. Maca vs. Ashwagandha: A Comparative Guide

Ashwagandha Roots Only

True to Ayurvedic tradition. KSM 66 Ashwagandha Root contains root extracts only, no leaves.

The benefits of using a root-only extract are:

• Most studies on Ashwagandha have utilized the roots, not the leaves.
• Since root consumption is typical in the centuries-old traditional use of Ashwagandha, it has a much larger scope and reputation for safety.
• Documentation of Ashwagandha in reference works, such as the pharmacopeias for the United States and Britain, the Indian Pharmacopoeia, the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, Indian Materia Medica, the Health Canada monograph, and the W.H.O. monograph, only lists the root, with no mention of the leaves.

In summary, Ashwagandha root is considered the primary functional component of the plant with the most studied and revered bioactive compounds.

By utilizing the root-only in their clean extraction process, we ensure the highest quality and most potent products, without adverse side effects most commonly attributed to consuming the leaves.

KSM-66® Ashwagandha Sourcing

As mentioned previously, the KSM-66® in our Ashwagandha Gummies comes from our values-aligned extract partner, Ixoreal Biomed, a pioneer in the research and development of herbal products headquartered in India. 

What makes Ixoreal Biomed the perfect partner for Organic India? 

Firstly, their KSM-66® root extract is Certified Organic, which is non-negotiable for Organic India! 

Each year, inspectors from the Organic Certification bodies of the United States, India, and the European Union evaluate Ixoreal’s Ashwagandha farms in Rajasthan, India, for adequate crop rotation, soil fertility programs, water use, and other factors to ensure strict adherence to rigorous Organic standards.

Their sourcing is transparent and aligned with our sourcing values. 

With a vertically integrated supply chain, Ixoreal is dedicated to traceability and sustainability from crop to customer. From their organic farms and equitable farmer relationships to their pristine manufacturing facilities with controls in place to prevent adulteration of raw and pre-finished material to third-party quality control and quality assurance, no stone is unturned in guaranteeing the highest quality product.  

They make a Full Spectrum extract. 

We talked a little about full spectrum earlier, and here’s more information specific to KSM-66®. 

KSM-66® Organic Ashwagandha Root Extract is made exclusively from A-grade Ashwagandha root. 

It was developed over 14 years to maintain all the bioactive and nutrient components of Ashwagandha in their natural proportions at the highest concentrations. This preserves the root’s integrity and balance, making it the most bioavailable and efficacious extract available.  

No wonder it’s been the subject of many studies!

This partnership presents an incredible opportunity to diversify our offerings to a community dedicated to Healthy, Conscious Living while remaining true to our principles.

We think you’ll appreciate the collaborative results in our new Ashwagandha Gummies.

Learn more about Organic India’s dedication to organic regenerative farming, ethical sourcing, and more in our 2023 Impact Report.

Where To Find Organic India KSM-66® Ashwagandha  

Organic India is thrilled to announce the launch of our latest product, Organic Ashwagandha Gummies, which contain KSM-66® Ashwagandha.

With gummies gaining popularity among herbal supplement lovers, we wanted to offer an exceptional, junk-free product to fulfill this need—and Ashwagandha is a clear winner.

The only problem with this herb is that, as its name (which translates to “smell of horse”) suggests, it’s not the best-tasting herb!

This is where the KSM-66® Ashwagandha Extract shines. Its flavor is milder than the whole root used in our other formulas and pairs perfectly with the natural lemon-lime flavors in the gummies.

Here are some more tasty tidbits about our NEW Organic Ashwagandha Gummies:

• Each gummy contains 330 mg of KSM-66® full-spectrum Ashwagandha Root extract
• They’re vegan
• They contain only 3 grams of sugar per serving
• They are free from artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors
• They’re organic and non-GMO
• Are flavored with real citrus
• They come in recyclable glass

Check out the product page to order organic gummies or learn more.