Buy Ashwagandha in Canada – Regulatory Status & Product Guide

Ashwagandha has been approved as a dietary supplement in Canada. Under Canadian supplement regulations, it can be included in supplement formulations at a dosage of between 2 – 6 drams of dried root powder per day.

According to Health Canada, ashwagandha was traditionally used in Ayurveda as a Rasanaya (rejuvenating tonic). Ayurvedic medicine has been practiced in India for thousands of years, using herbs that are considered adaptogens – include Ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha comes from a small evergreen shrub that grows in arid places called Withania somnifera. The roots and berries are used as a general tonic, as a remedy for stress and to help with a number of illnesses.

Ashwagandha is now available in many parts of the world and used in a number of complementary and herbal medicine settings. People buy ashwagandha in Canada to help with a wide range of conditions.

Ashwagandha

Adaptogen

Stress

Mood

Sleep

How It Works:

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves concentration, fatigue & sleep
• Protects against oxidative stress

Dosage:

Between 300 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Where to Buy Ashwagandha in Canada

Ashwagandha is widely available for sale in Canada and can be purchased without a prescription.

Under Health Canada regulations, supplements must first be approved by the Canadian Federal government, before they can be marketed for sale. All health claims must also comply with those allowed by the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database.

Ashwagandha has been approved for sale in Canada since 2007. It was approved with recognition of the long history of traditional use for this herb in India.

According to the monograph provided by Health Canada, Ashwagandha can be promoted for the following claims:

• Traditionally used in Ayurveda as Rasayana (rejuvenative tonic)
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda to relieve general debility, especially during convalescence or old age
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a sleep aid
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda to balance aggravated Vata (nervine tonic, sedative)
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda for memory enhancement

You can find ashwagandha supplements for sale in Canada both online at retailers that include VitaShop.ca and in stores such as GNC. Ashwagandha products sold in Canada include whole dried herb, powdered root, liquid extract, capsules and tablets.

Popular ashwagandha products for sale in Canada include:

• S’Francis Herb Farms Ashwagandha tincture
• S’Francis Herb Farms Ashwagandha capsules. These capsules contain a dose of 3600 mg per capsule
• Now Ashwagandha Standardized Extract in a 450 mg dose
• Organic Traditions Ashwagandha Powder
• Veeva V-Caps, which combines ashwagandha with other supplements that include lemon balm extract, rhodiola, theanine, 5-HTP, choline, allspice, cinnamon and cloves

Common Uses of Ashwagandha

In Canada, Ashwagandha products are taken for a number of purported benefits. Common uses include:

• Alleviation of stress
• Help with symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Alleviation of symptoms of asthma
• Correction of problems with menstruation
• Help with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Improvement of cognitive function
• Treatment of inflammation
• Treatment of infertility in men and women
• Lowering cholesterol
• Relieving insomnia
• Improving stress-related depression

Ashwagandha berries can also be used as a vegetarian coagulant when making cheese.

Reviews of ashwagandha supplements are generally positive. On Amazon, the highest reviewed ashwagandha product has 455 reviews. Of these, 89% are five-star reviews.

Reviewers cite a number of benefits. These benefits include mood elevation, relaxation, increased energy and reduced levels of stress. Some reviewers cite a mild sedative effect.

Research Studies on Ashwagandha

The effects of ashwagandha have been well-researched. This herb has been shown to support mood, energy levels, cognitive function and thyroid function.

In animal studies, ashwagandha was found to have a sedating effect on animals. It also relaxes the central nervous system in animals. Research indicates that ashwagandha has a demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect.

Ashwagandha may improve athletic performance in people of all abilities. In tests on rats, ashwagandha was found to reduce coagulation. More research is needed to see whether this effect appears in humans, as well.

In a number of in vitro studies, ashwagandha was found to kill some cancer cells. It is theorized that ashwagandha impedes the cancer cells’ ability to generate energy.

Ashwangandha also cuts the amount of an important antioxidant in cancer cells, which may make radiation therapy more effective.

However, significantly more research is needed to attribute any specific anti-cancer effects to this herb. Ashwagandha has not been approved for the prevention or treatment of cancer in Canada.

Side Effects of Ashwagandha

According to Health Canada regulations, supplements that contain ashwagandha as an ingredient must bear the following warning notices:

• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Consumption with alcohol, other drugs or natural health products with sedative properties is not recommended.

There is no required statement of drug contraindications or known adverse reactions.

In studies of ashwagandha, no significant side effects were reported. This is true even in cases where people took ashwagandha supplements for extended periods of time and in people who took large doses.

However, anecdotal reviews on sites that include Amazon.com include reports of individuals who have suffered side effects. The most commonly reported side effects in Ashwagandha reviews include:

• Worsening of symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Sleep disruptions
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Joint pain

Ashwagandha should not be taken by women who are pregnant or who wish to become pregnant. The herb may be an abortifacent. Since it is not known whether ashwagandha passes into breastmilk, it is not recommended that women who are breastfeeding use this product.

Ashwagandha may interact with a number of medications. Medications that may be affected by the use of this herb include:

• Immunosuppressant medications
• Drugs for hypertension
• Drugs for diabetes
• Sedatives
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Thyroid medications

Suggested Ashwagandha Dosages

According to the Health Canada monograph on Ashwagandha, dosages of between 2 – 6 grams per day of dried root are permitted in dietary supplements.

A number of forms of ashwagandha are available for purchase in Canada, which include dried roots, bulk powder, concentrated extracts in liquid form, and ashwagandha in capsules or tablets. The dosage depends on the effects that are desired.

Reported dosages include:

• One to six grams powdered root in capsule form per day as a general tonic.
• One gram ashwagandha taken three times daily as an anti-aging supplement, taken with a glass of milk.
• As a general tonic, one part ashwagandha root is boiled or simmered with 10 parts water for 15 to 30 minutes. The resulting liquid is taken in half-ounce or one-ounce doses.
• To promote growth in children, two grams of ashwagandha was given per day over a 60-day period.
• As a diuretic, ashwagandha was taken for thirty days. The dose was not reported.
• As a treatment for diabetes, ashwagandha was taken for thirty days. The dose was not reported.

Before buying Ashwagandha supplements in Canada, it is recommended to consult with a doctor or a licensed naturopath to determine whether this supplement is appropriate for you.

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