Key Takeaways
- Key benefits of ashwagandha for women include support for occasional stress and anxiety, sleep quality, menopausal and sexual wellness, healthy weight management, immune function, cognitive performance, and energy levels.
- Because of its naturally bitter taste, ashwagandha is often best delivered in capsule or tablet form. Powder applications are possible at lower doses when effective flavor-masking techniques are used.
- When developing an ashwagandha supplement for women, important considerations include selecting the right delivery format, evaluating bioavailability and standardized extracts, prioritizing quality sourcing and transparency, and ensuring robust third-party testing and traceability.
Benefits of Ashwagandha Supplements for Women: A Comprehensive Look at Its Health-Boosting Properties
Interest in ashwagandha benefits for women’s health has grown rapidly in recent years, even though the herb’s wellness-supporting properties have been recognized for more than 3,000 years in the Ayurvedic system of healthcare.1Anonymous. Monograph. Withania somnifera. Altern Med Rev 2004;9:211-4. Traditionally recognized for supporting stress resilience, classic Sanskrit Ayurvedic texts described ashwagandha as a “rasayana,” or rejuvenator associated with promoting a youthful state of physical and mental well-being.2Uddin, Q., Samiulla, L., Singh, V.K. and Jamil, S.S. Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Withania somnifera Dunal: A Review. JAPS 2012;2:170-5.
Ashwagandha’s modern resurgence mirrors its long history. According to Future Market Insights, the global ashwagandha market is expected to reach $815.7 million by 2025 and grow to $1.78 billion by 2035 at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%.3Ashwagandha Extract Market Set to Surpass USD 1,787.2 Million by 2035 Amid Rising Demand for Herbal Supplements | Future Market Insights, Inc. Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd. March 5, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025 from https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ashwagandha-extract-market-set-surpass-093000999.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAL53heKrUPFMTukpspfl3Q2HtZIbm6oNSXnIFDAYh_ZHsJoeVjoQd09L1L-rcWaJOFJhhsFqUJ5Bmof9HR-Ye5h_Y5r8JS7fGlWYWZSao403FwYfNLXTaimll3hxTTPBVth-mZRYDYVj6A5zJQoqwKOxK-zvdM3NTrBvrNwlvn9k
While both men and women widely use ashwagandha, this article will focus on how it may support women’s health and wellness.
7 Key Health Benefits of Ashwagandha for Women’s Health
Ashwagandha is a well-known adaptogen valued for its ability to support multiple aspects of women’s wellness. When looking at ashwagandha benefits for women’s health, research and traditional use point to several key areas where this ingredient may offer meaningful support. These include:
- Occasional Stress and Anxiety Reduction
- Sleep and Relaxation Support
- Menopause and Sexual Support
- Weight Management and Metabolism Support
- Immune System Support
- Cognitive Function and Mental Clarity
- Increased Energy Levels and Reduced Fatigue
Occasional Stress and Anxiety Reduction
Let’s begin the list of benefits of ashwagandha supplements for women with one of its most recognized areas of support: occasional stress and anxiety reduction. In a 60-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study4Lopresti 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 Sep;98(37):e17186., 240 mg per day of ashwagandha extract was shown to significantly reduce occasional stress and stress-related anxiety in women and men. Participants also experienced meaningful reductions in cortisol, the hormone associated with the body’s stress response.
Sleep and Relaxation Support
There are also ashwagandha benefits for women’s sleep. In a 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial5Deshpande A, Irani N, Balkrishnan R, Benny IR. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep quality in healthy adults. Sleep Med. 2020 Aug;72:28-36., 120 mg per day of ashwagandha extract was evaluated in 150 healthy adults experiencing non-restorative sleep issues. Participants showed improvements in overall sleep quality, faster sleep onset, reduced waking after sleep onset, and enhanced quality-of-life measures.
Menopause and Sexual Support
Ashwagandha has also been studied for the support it may provide women who are going through menopause. In an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial6Gopal S, Ajgaonkar A, Kanchi P, Kaundinya A, Thakare V, Chauhan S, Langade D. Effect of an ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) root extract on climacteric symptoms in women during perimenopause: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2021 Dec;47(12):4414-4425. doi: 10.1111/jog.15030. Epub 2021 Sep 22. PMID: 34553463. involving 100 perimenopausal women, 600 mg of ashwagandha daily significantly reduced menopausal symptoms and improved overall quality of life, while also increasing estradiol levels. A separate 24-week study7Pingali U, Nutalapati C, Wang Y. Ashwagandha and Shatavari Extracts Dose-Dependently Reduce Menopause Symptoms, Vascular Dysfunction, and Bone Resorption in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Menopausal Med. 2025 Apr;31(1):21-34. doi: 10.6118/jmm.24025. PMID: 40347163; PMCID: PMC12070120. found that ashwagandha and shatavari extracts helped reduce menopausal symptoms, supported healthy vascular function, and positively influenced bone turnover markers.
Ashwagandha has also demonstrated benefits for women’s sexual wellness. In an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study8Dongre S, Langade D, Bhattacharyya S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:284154. doi: 10.1155/2015/284154. Epub 2015 Oct 4. PMID: 26504795; PMCID: PMC4609357. with 50 women aged 21 to 50, 600 mg per day improved the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) total score, including the domains of arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction. Similar results were observed in another randomized controlled trial9Ajgaonkar A, Jain M, Debnath K. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract for Improvement of Sexual Health in Healthy Women: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Cureus. 2022 Oct 28;14(10):e30787. doi: 10.7759/cureus.30787. PMID: 36447681; PMCID: PMC9701317. with 80 healthy women aged 18 to 50 years old, showing significant improvements across all FSFI domains, including desire and sexual comfort.
Weight Management and Metabolism Support
There are also meaningful ashwagandha benefits for women’s weight loss, particularly for those experiencing stress-related eating patterns. In an 8-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study10Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Joshi K. Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Jan;22(1):96-106. doi: 10.1177/2156587216641830. Epub 2016 Apr 6. PMID: 27055824; PMCID: PMC5871210. involving 52 stressed adults, 600 mg per day of ashwagandha significantly reduced perceived stress, food cravings, body weight, and BMI.
In a separate 40-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study11Ballesteros-Torres JM, Vázquez-Aguilar, A, Luzardo-Ocampo I, et al. Impact of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.) supplementation on serum lipid concentrations and anthropometric parameters in adults with overweight and obesity: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2025; 22:134. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-025-01028-6. with 43 participants, 500 mg per day of ashwagandha led to a significant reduction in waist circumference, with the most notable improvements observed in women.
Immune System Support
Ashwagandha has also been studied for its role in supporting healthy immune function. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial12Tharakan a, Shukla H, Benny IR, et al. Immunomodulatory Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial with an Open Label Extension on Healthy Participants. J Clin Med. 2021; 10(16): 3644. involving 24 healthy adults, 60 mg per day of ashwagandha extract helped modulate both the innate and adaptive immune systems. This was demonstrated by significant increases in immunoglobulin antibodies, key immunomodulating cytokines, and specific lymphocyte populations.
Cognitive Function and Mental Clarity
Ashwagandha has also been researched for its supportive effects on cognitive function. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study13Xing D, Yoo C, Rasmussen CJ, et al. Acute ashwagandha supplementation improves cognitive performance. JISSN. 2020 17:67, 400 mg per day of ashwagandha extract improved sustained attention and enhanced short-term and working memory in both women and men.
Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study14Remenapp A, Coyle K, Orange T, et al. Effectiveness of Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera) Supplementation on Adult’s Cognition and Mood. Submitted to Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine as a short communication; 2021. with 43 women found that both 225 mg and 400 mg of ashwagandha extract resulted in improved cognitive flexibility, visual memory, reaction time, psychomotor speed, and executive functioning, as well as a reduction in cortisol levels.
Increased Energy Levels and Reduced Fatigue
Ashwagandha has also been evaluated for its role in supporting energy and reducing occasional fatigue. In one of the previously mentioned studies15Xing D, Yoo C, Rasmussen CJ, et al. Acute ashwagandha supplementation improves cognitive performance. JISSN. 2020 17:67 using 400 mg per day of ashwagandha extract, participants experienced improvements in mental fatigue.
Additionally, in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial16Choudhary SB, Shetty A. Efficacy and Safety of a Full Spectrum Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Improving Cardiorespiratory Endurance in Healthy Athletic Adults. Ixoreal BioMed. Unpublished; n.d.: 10 pgs. involving 49 healthy athletic women and men, ashwagandha supplementation increased cardiorespiratory endurance and improved overall quality-of-life measures.
Formulation and Manufacturing Tips for Developing an Ashwagandha Supplement for Women
When creating an ashwagandha supplement for women, brand owners should consider several key formulation and manufacturing factors to ensure product quality and strong market differentiation. This includes choosing the most appropriate delivery format and evaluating extract types with validated bioavailability.
It is also essential to prioritize high-quality ingredient sourcing, maintain supply chain transparency, and ensure all materials and finished products undergo rigorous third-party testing and traceability. These steps help support women’s wellness needs while positioning your product to stand out in a competitive market.
Select the Right Supplement Delivery Format
Ashwagandha can be delivered in several supplement formats, including capsules, tablets, and powders. However, the herb naturally has bitter afternotes, which can be off-putting for consumers when used in powdered products. For this reason, capsules and tablets are often the most practical options.
That said, lower-dose powder applications are still possible. When using 60, 120, or 240 mg of ashwagandha, a powder supplement manufacturer with experience in flavor masking can help maintain a pleasant taste profile while preserving the key ashwagandha powder benefits for women. Achieving this becomes more challenging at higher doses, such as 600 mg, where bitterness is more difficult to mask effectively.
Consider Bioavailability and Standardized Extracts
Bioavailability is an important factor in any dietary supplement, including ashwagandha. Studies17Kim SK, Venkatesan J, Rathi P, Antony B. Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extracts – A double blind, crossover study in healthy adults. Heliyon. 2023 Nov 28;9(12):e22843. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22843. PMID: 38144272; PMCID: PMC10746415. 18Rathi P, Kim SK. Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study Comparing the Bioavailability of 4 Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Extracts in Healthy Adults Under Fasting Condition. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2025 Jul 10;103:100805. doi: 10.1016/j.curtheres.2025.100805. PMID: 40792075; PMCID: PMC12337022. have shown that standardized extracts with higher concentrations of withanolides, the key active compounds in ashwagandha, generally offer better bioavailability than lower-concentration extracts.
Ultimately, the most important consideration is clinical evidence. If studies demonstrate that a specific ashwagandha extract was effective for its intended purpose, it can be reasonably inferred that its bioavailability was sufficient to produce meaningful results.
Focus on Quality Sourcing and Transparency
Consumers continue to prioritize sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients, making it essential for brand owners to select ashwagandha from reputable suppliers who follow responsible harvesting and cultivation practices. High-quality sourcing, combined with eco-friendly manufacturing processes, can strengthen brand trust and market appeal. Certifications such as USDA Organic, NSF-GMP, and FSSC 22000 are also valuable indicators of quality and are especially relevant for facilities producing ashwagandha supplements.
Look for Third-Party Testing and Traceability
Third-party testing remains one of the most reliable ways to verify the identity, potency, and purity of nutraceuticals used in dietary supplements. While many supplement contract manufacturers maintain internal testing capabilities, independent verification adds an important layer of credibility. Ensuring full traceability of raw materials and finished products further reinforces product integrity and consumer confidence.
Conclusion
The benefits of ashwagandha for women continue to drive growing interest in this well-researched adaptogen, particularly for its ability to support occasional stress and anxiety, sleep quality, menopausal comfort, healthy weight management, immune function, cognitive performance, and overall energy. This article also outlined key considerations for brand owners developing an ashwagandha supplement for women, including delivery format selection, extract standardization, responsible ingredient sourcing, and the importance of third-party testing to ensure quality and traceability.
As demand for high-quality herbal supplements accelerates, developing a well-formulated ashwagandha product can position your brand to meet evolving consumer needs and compete more effectively in a crowded marketplace. With more than 45 years of nutraceutical manufacturing experience, Vitaquest offers the expertise, capabilities, and certifications required to custom manufacture a premium ashwagandha supplement you’ll be proud to bring to the market and sell to your customers.
If you’re ready to begin your ashwagandha supplement manufacturing project, call 800-526-9095 to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales executives or request a nutraceutical manufacturing price quote if you’ve already finalized your requirements!
Frequently Asked Questions About Ashwagandha Benefits for Women
Are Ashwagandha supplements regulated by the FDA?
All dietary supplements, including ashwagandha products, are regulated by the FDA under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring product safety, accurate labeling, and truthful, supportable claims. While the FDA does not approve supplements before they go to market, companies may submit certain types of claims for FDA review when appropriate.
Can Ashwagandha be taken with other herbs like Shatavari or Fenugreek?
Yes. Ashwagandha can be taken with other herbs like shatavari or fenugreek. In fact, several human studies have evaluated these combinations and reported positive outcomes, making them common pairings in women’s wellness formulations.
Which is the best delivery format for Ashwagandha supplements?
Capsules and tablets are typically the best delivery formats due to ashwagandha’s naturally bitter taste. Powder formats are possible, but they work best at lower doses where experienced manufacturers can apply effective flavor-masking techniques to improve palatability.
