Two ashwagandha labels can both say “300 mg” and contain very different things. Branded extracts, withanolide percentages and ratios like 30:1 all describe different aspects of what’s inside. Here is how to read them.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against NIH guidance, European Medicines Agency definitions and peer-reviewed research
What’s the difference between ashwagandha extracts?
Extracts differ by plant part, how they’re made, and how they’re labeled. KSM-66 is a root extract standardized to more than 5% withanolides; Sensoril and Shoden use root and leaf and are standardized to withanolide glycosides[1]. A ratio like 30:1 describes how much raw root went into the extract, not how much of any active compound it contains[2].
Caveat: Because extracts differ, trial results for one branded extract don’t automatically apply to another extract or ratio.
Sources: NIH ODS · EMA guideline · Verified 2026-09-27
In this article
What are withanolides, and why do labels mention them?
Withanolides are a family of naturally occurring compounds in ashwagandha that researchers believe contribute to its effects[3]. Because the amount in a plant can vary with the part used, growing conditions and processing, some manufacturers “standardize” their extracts to a set withanolide percentage.
The NIH notes that the withanolide content of ashwagandha preparations commonly ranges from about 1.5% to 5%, depending on the formulation[1]. A standardized percentage gives you a consistent marker to compare batches of the same extract; it isn’t a guarantee of a particular effect.
What are KSM-66, Sensoril and Shoden?
These are branded extracts that appear in many clinical trials:
| Extract | Plant part | Standardized to |
|---|---|---|
| KSM-66 | Root | More than 5% withanolides |
| Sensoril / Shoden | Root and leaf | Withanolide glycosides |
The table reflects how the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements describes them[1]. The well-known 2012 stress trial used a “high-concentration full-spectrum” root extract at 300 mg twice daily[4], while a 2019 stress trial used 240 mg a day of a more concentrated root-and-leaf extract[5].
That’s the key point: a 240 mg dose of one extract and a 600 mg dose of another can both be “the studied dose.” Milligrams only mean something alongside the extract type. Our dosage guide lists the doses used by goal.
What does a ratio like 10:1 or 30:1 mean?
A ratio is a drug-extract ratio (DER). The European Medicines Agency defines it as the ratio between the quantity of herbal material used and the quantity of preparation obtained[2]. A 30:1 extract means roughly 30 parts of dried root were used to make 1 part of extract.
That’s where lines like “25 mg, equivalent to 750 mg of whole root” come from: 25 × 30 = 750. It’s a fair description of how much root went in. What a ratio does not tell you:
- How many withanolides the extract contains.
- How it compares with a standardized extract used in a trial.
- Whether it equals 750 mg of a standardized extract. It doesn’t.
The EMA also distinguishes “standardised” extracts, which are adjusted to a set content of constituents, from other extracts that are defined mainly by their production process[2]. Ratio-labeled and standardized extracts simply aren’t measured on the same scale.
How should you compare ashwagandha labels?
- Look for the extract type. Branded name, standardized percentage, or ratio?
- Check the plant part. Root only, or root and leaf?
- Compare like with like. Only compare milligrams between the same kind of extract.
- Be wary of “equivalent” math presented as a clinical dose.
- Look for third-party testing.
Researchers reviewing ashwagandha trials have noted that the variety of extracts and doses makes results hard to compare across studies[6]. Our guide to what to look for in ashwagandha gummies covers the rest of the label, and What’s Actually Inside: Ashwagandha Gummies breaks down our formula.
The honest summary
- KSM-66: root-only, standardized to more than 5% withanolides.
- Sensoril and Shoden: root and leaf, standardized to withanolide glycosides.
- Ratios like 30:1 describe raw root used, not active-compound content.
- Trial results belong to the specific extract and dose tested.
Our option
Vita Globe Ashwagandha Gummies
Our Ashwagandha Gummies use a 30:1 ashwagandha root extract, 25 mg per gummy (the equivalent of 750 mg of whole root), with vitamin D (100 mcg) and zinc (2 mg) in a pectin-based tart-cherry gummy. It is not KSM-66 or Sensoril, and at 25 mg it isn’t a trial-matched dose; it’s a simple, gentle daily option for occasional stress, tested by an independent third-party lab.*
Frequently asked questions
Is KSM-66 better than regular ashwagandha?
KSM-66 is a root-only extract standardized to more than 5% withanolides[1], and it has been used in a number of trials. Its main advantage is that research on that specific extract exists; that doesn’t prove it’s better than every other extract.
What is the difference between KSM-66 and Sensoril?
KSM-66 is made from root and standardized to more than 5% withanolides; Sensoril uses root and leaf and is standardized to withanolide glycosides[1].
What does 30:1 mean on ashwagandha?
About 30 parts of raw root were used to make 1 part of extract[2]. It describes concentration of raw material, not withanolide content.
Is ashwagandha root or leaf better?
Most trials used root or root-and-leaf extracts[1]. There isn’t enough head-to-head research to say one part is better.
Sources
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? Health Professional Fact Sheet. Updated May 2, 2025. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Ashwagandha-HealthProfessional/
- European Medicines Agency. Guideline on declaration of herbal substances and herbal preparations in herbal medicinal products/traditional herbal medicinal products (EMA/HMPC/CHMP/CVMP/287539/2005 Rev.1). 2010. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/declaration-herbal-substances-herbal-preparations-herbal-medicinal-products-traditional-herbal-medicinal-products-scientific-guideline
- Mirjalili MH, Moyano E, Bonfill M, Cusido RM, Palazón J. Steroidal lactones from Withania somnifera, an ancient plant for novel medicine. Molecules. 2009;14(7):2373-2393. doi:10.3390/molecules14072373
- Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(3):255-262. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.106022
- Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017186
- Speers AB, Cabey KA, Soumyanath A, Wright KM. Effects of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) on stress and the stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(9):1468-1495. doi:10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
The Vita Globe Editorial Team researches and writes our wellness content, working from peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews and guidance from bodies such as the NIH and the FDA. We cite our sources inline and update articles when the evidence changes.
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. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or caring for a child.
