Functional Food

Ashwagandha (KSM-66): what is it and where does it come from?

In short: ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herb from Ayurveda, of which mainly the root is used. KSM-66 is a widely used, standardised root extract. No health claims for ashwagandha are authorised in the EU. Ashwagandha is one of the best-known herbs in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system. The plant is also called Indian ginseng or winter cherry. You see ashwagandha more and more often as a supplement, frequently labelled KSM-66. In this article you can read, factually, what ashwagandha is, which plant it comes from, what KSM-66 means and what to look for when comparing an ashwagandha supplement.