Ashwagandha, botanical name Withania somnifera, is a small shrub of the nightshade family, the same family as tomatoes and aubergines. It grows in the dry regions of India and Nepal and as far as the Middle East, and bears small orange-red berries enclosed in a papery husk. In India it is sometimes nicknamed “Indian ginseng”, although it has no botanical link with ginseng.

Its Sanskrit name is more colourful: it combines ashva, the horse, and gandha, the smell. It refers to the distinctive scent of the fresh root, reminiscent of a stable. It is precisely this long, beige, fibrous root that has been used for centuries in the Ayurvedic tradition, where ashwagandha is counted among the so-called rasayana plants.

Today, ashwagandha root is one of the Indian plants most in demand in Europe. In our shop in Paris 12th, it is one of the products we are asked about most, as a powder as well as in capsules, which is also why we make a point of presenting each product precisely: the part of the plant used, the type of extract, the standardisation and the actual dose.

Nutripure’s ashwagandha is not simply ground root powder. It is based on KSM-66®, a trademarked extract developed in India by the company Ixoreal Biomed. What sets it apart is that it is obtained from the root alone, with no added leaves.

This is not a minor detail. Ashwagandha leaves have a different composition from the root, in particular a higher content of withaferin A. The root is the part traditionally used, and that is the choice Nutripure made by selecting a root-only extract. According to the brand, extraction is carried out without chemical solvents, using a so-called green chemistry process.

The extract is described as “full-spectrum”: it aims to retain all the constituents of the root rather than isolate a single molecule. It is then standardised in withanolides, the characteristic compounds of ashwagandha, to guarantee a consistent content from one batch to the next.

Withanolides are a family of natural compounds, from the class of steroidal lactones, found in plants of the genus Withania. Their content in a raw root varies with the growing area, the harvest and the drying. A standardised extract settles the question: the content is measured and guaranteed for every batch.

Here, the KSM-66® extract is standardised to 5% withanolides. Each capsule contains 600 mg of root extract, i.e. 30 mg of withanolides. At a dose of two capsules, that makes 1,200 mg of root extract, including 60 mg of withanolides, which are exactly the figures shown in the table on the label.

We prefer to give you these raw figures rather than vague wording: they let you know exactly what you are taking and make an informed choice when the time comes to decide, online or in our shop in Paris.

The ingredient list fits on a single line. The KSM-66® ashwagandha root extract, of Indian origin, comes from organic farming; the product carries the French AB logo and the mention FR-BIO-01, non-EU agriculture. It is contained in a plant-based capsule made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, often abbreviated to HPMC, a cellulose derivative.

The only other ingredient is coconut flour, also organic, used as a filler instead of synthetic excipients. The traceability file published by Nutripure describes a product that is vegan, GMO-free and non-irradiated, with no titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide or microcrystalline cellulose.

The jar of 60 capsules represents 30 servings of two capsules, for a net weight of 43 g. Full details of the ingredients, amounts and warnings are given in the Composition tab of this page.

Nutripure advises a gradual start: one capsule a day to begin with, during a meal and with a glass of water, then two capsules a day if the first is well tolerated. The label recommends taking it preferably in the morning. Do not exceed two capsules a day.

Over time, the brand gives one jar, i.e. one month, as the recommended duration, with possible use over three to six months provided you take a one-week break between each month of use. This cycle is printed directly on the label.

If you already take other supplements, especially other plants, come and see us in our shop in Paris: together we will look at your routine to avoid duplicates and keep things simple. The shop is a few minutes’ walk from Ledru-Rollin metro station (line 8). To find out more about the plant itself, you can read our guide to KSM-66 ashwagandha.

Nutripure was founded in 2017 by Christophe Carrio, five-time world champion in artistic karate and holder of a dietetics diploma, together with his brother Florent, an engineer. The company is based in Deyme, in Haute-Garonne, near Toulouse, and has its products manufactured in France.

For each product, the brand publishes a traceability file stating the origin of every raw material. This ashwagandha is also developed and manufactured in accordance with the EN 17444 anti-doping standard, a point that matters for licensed athletes subject to testing, and one that several of our customers in Paris ask us to check. You will find the whole range on our Nutripure page.

We also carry other forms of the same plant: Ayur-vana’s organic root powder for those who like to prepare it themselves, or other KSM-66® extract capsules. They are all gathered in our ashwagandha section, next to our plants from the Ayurvedic tradition.

Ashwagandha is a concentrated plant and calls for a few precautions. This supplement is intended for adults only and must be kept out of the reach of children. Its use is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Nutripure also advises against it for people with endocrine disorders, in particular thyroid disorders, including those on thyroid treatment, or hyperandrogenism, for people with liver or heart disorders, and for those taking sedative medication. It is also not recommended when driving vehicles or operating machinery, or in combination with substances that depress the central nervous system.

If you are taking any medication, whatever it may be, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting. Keep the jar tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from light; the best-before date and batch number are printed under the jar.

Which part of the plant does this ashwagandha contain?

Only the root. The KSM-66® extract is obtained from ashwagandha roots, without leaves, and is standardised to 5% withanolides.

Is Ashwagandha Nutripure vegan and organic?

Yes. The root extract and the coconut flour come from organic farming, the capsule is made of plant-based HPMC and the product contains no ingredient of animal origin.

How long does a jar of 60 capsules last?

One month at two capsules a day, i.e. 30 servings. During the first week at one capsule a day, it naturally lasts a little longer.

Where can I find Ashwagandha Nutripure in a shop?

At 10 rue Théophile Roussel, Paris 12th, from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, two minutes from Ledru-Rollin metro station (line 8) and a short walk from Bastille (lines 1, 5, 8).