Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root & Leaf Extract (Sensoril®)

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb from the roots and leaves of Withania somnifera, traditionally used to support the body during times of stress. In element3 Rest (PM Formula) it appears as Sensoril®, a standardised extract included at 125mg to support evening calm as part of your wind-down.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root & Leaf Extract (Sensoril®)

Technical review: Lucy Yang, MFoodTech (Dist.)Reviewed

[ 01 ] Key Facts

Dose in element3 element3 Rest: 125mg
Form Sensoril® — a patented, standardised extract of Withania somnifera root and leaf, standardised to a minimum of 10% withanolide glycosides
Signs you may need more Wired-but-tired exhaustion · Difficulty switching off in the evening · Cortisol-driven nighttime waking · Mood reactivity under sustained stress
Safe range Clinical research has used 125–600mg/day depending on extract; Sensoril® is studied at 125mg. As a botanical it has no RDI.

Food sources

  • Ashwagandha (Not a Food)

[ 02 ] Rationale

Why this ingredient is in element3

Ashwagandha is classed as an adaptogen, a group of botanicals traditionally used to help the body cope with stress. Its active compounds, called withanolides, are the focus of research into its calming, evening-supportive role.

The form matters here. Not all ashwagandha extracts are equivalent. Sensoril® is a patented root and leaf extract of Withania somnifera, standardised to a minimum of 10% withanolide glycosides, among the highest withanolide concentrations of any commercial ashwagandha. This standardisation matters for two reasons: a consistent dose batch-to-batch, and it allows meaningful amounts at lower volumes than less concentrated extracts. Sensoril® is differentiated from KSM-66® (the other major branded ashwagandha) by both its composition and its evidence base: KSM-66 research tends to emphasise daytime energy and physical performance, while Sensoril®'s research concentrates on calm, sleep and the everyday experience of sustained stress.

The 125mg dose in element3 Rest was chosen deliberately. Sensoril®'s clinical research has used doses from 125mg to 250mg per day. 125mg is a level suited to daily use in an evening formula, without over-sedation.

Within element3 Rest, Sensoril® complements the other calming botanicals — L-theanine, Passionflower, Valerian Root, Magnesium Citrate and Hops Extract — supporting overall evening calm so the body can wind down naturally.

For women carrying sustained stress into the evening, Sensoril® earns its place in element3 Rest.

[ 03 ] At 35+

Relevant at 35+

Many women in their 30s and beyond carry sustained stress from work and home, the kind that builds quietly over years rather than arriving all at once. Ashwagandha is one of the most traditionally established botanicals for exactly this: an adaptogen used for centuries to support the body through demanding periods. That long history of use for resilience and calm is part of why it sits at the heart of element3 Rest.

Perimenopause adds another layer. As oestrogen and progesterone levels shift, many women in their late 30s and 40s describe a noticeable change — the same workload that felt manageable five years ago can start to feel heavier, and evenings become harder to switch off from. This is a normal part of the transition, not a discipline problem and not a personal failing. It's simply a stage where the body's usual ways of settling can feel less reliable, and where gentle, traditional support for calm becomes more valuable.

This is why ashwagandha is well-placed in element3 Rest for women at this stage of life. As part of the evening formula, Sensoril® supports a sense of calm at the end of the day, helping create the conditions for a natural wind-down. Taken consistently alongside the other calming botanicals in element3 Rest, it's there to support the everyday transition from a full day into a restful evening.

[ 04 ] Your Questions

Your Questions

What is ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herb used in traditional Ayurvedic practice for over 3,000 years. Its name in Sanskrit translates roughly to "smell of the horse" — a reference to the root's distinctive smell and its traditional reputation for conferring strength and vitality. In modern terms, ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen: a group of botanicals traditionally used to help the body cope with stress. The compounds behind this are withanolides, steroidal lactones concentrated in the root and leaf.

What are the benefits of taking ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha has been studied as an adaptogen for its traditional role in supporting calm, restful sleep and resilience to everyday stress. It's one of the most researched adaptogenic herbs.

What are the benefits of ashwagandha in element3?
In element3 Rest (PM Formula), Sensoril® at 125mg supports evening calm and works alongside L-theanine, Magnesium Citrate, Passionflower, Valerian Root and Hops Extract to support a natural wind-down before sleep.

What is the recommended daily dose of ashwagandha?
There is no established RDI for ashwagandha because it is a botanical, not a nutrient. Clinical research has used doses ranging from 125mg to 600mg per day, with the appropriate dose depending heavily on the extract concentration. Sensoril®, standardised to ≥10% withanolide glycosides, has been studied at 125mg. element3 Rest provides exactly this dose, designed for consistent daily use in an evening formula.

Are there any ashwagandha side effects?
Ashwagandha is well-tolerated in clinical research, with the most commonly reported side effects being mild gastrointestinal discomfort, drowsiness (consistent with its mechanism and intended evening use), and occasional headache, generally only at doses well above 125mg. Ashwagandha is not recommended during pregnancy due to traditional concerns about uterine stimulation, and may interact with thyroid medications (it can mildly increase thyroid hormone levels) and immunosuppressants. Those with autoimmune conditions, hyperthyroidism, or who are taking thyroid medications should consult a healthcare professional before use. There have been rare case reports of liver-related issues; while causation has not been established, individuals with liver conditions should also consult a healthcare professional.

What is the best form of ashwagandha to take?

The two best-researched commercial extracts are Sensoril® and KSM-66®. They differ in composition (Sensoril® uses both root and leaf; KSM-66® uses root only) and in clinical positioning (Sensoril® research emphasises calm and sleep; KSM-66® research emphasises daytime energy and physical performance). Sensoril®'s higher withanolide concentration (≥10% withanolide glycosides) means meaningful clinical effects at lower doses. element3 Rest uses Sensoril® specifically because its evidence base aligns with its evening, sleep-supportive role.

[ 05 ] The Research

11 studies

The Research

Study Key finding
Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysisCheah, K. L., Norhayati, M. N., Husniati Yaacob, L., & Abdul Rahman, R. (2021). Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 16(9), e0257843. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257843
Meta-analysis of five RCTs showed ashwagandha significantly improved overall sleep quality, sleep onset latency and sleep efficiency vs placebo.
 Read →
Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive FunctionsChoudhary, D., Bhattacharyya, S., & Bose, S. (2017). Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) root extract in improving memory and cognitive functions. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 14(6), 599–612. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2017.1284970
Eight weeks of ashwagandha significantly improved memory, executive function and attention vs placebo in adults with mild cognitive impairment.
 Read →
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 AdultsChandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). 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 Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.106022
60 days of ashwagandha significantly reduced perceived stress, serum cortisol and anxiety scores vs placebo.
 Read →
A Standardized Withania Somnifera Extract Significantly Reduces Stress-Related Parameters in Chronically Stressed Humans: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled StudyAuddy, B., Hazra, J., Mitra, A., Abedon, B., & Ghosal, S. (2008). A standardized Withania somnifera extract significantly reduces stress-related parameters in chronically stressed humans: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association, 11(1), 50–56.
Standardised Sensoril® reduced biochemical and psychological stress markers (cortisol, CRP, fatigue) in chronically stressed adults.
 Read →
An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyLopresti, A. L., Smith, S. J., Malvi, H., & Kodgule, R. (2019). An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine, 98(37), e17186. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000017186
60 days of ashwagandha significantly reduced morning cortisol, DHEA-S and Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores in adults with self-reported high stress.
 Read →
Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical StudySalve, J., Pate, S., Debnath, K., & Langade, D. (2019). Adaptogenic and anxiolytic effects of ashwagandha root extract in healthy adults: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study. Cureus, 11(12), e6466. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.6466
Eight weeks of ashwagandha significantly reduced perceived stress and morning cortisol vs placebo in healthy adults.
 Read →
Effect of standardized aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on tests of cognitive and psychomotor performance in healthy human participantsPingali, U., Pilli, R., & Fatima, N. (2014). Effect of standardized aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on tests of cognitive and psychomotor performance in healthy human participants. Pharmacognosy Research, 6(1), 12–18. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8490.122912
Acute and 14-day ashwagandha significantly improved reaction time and psychomotor performance in healthy adults.
 Read →
Does Ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsAkhgarjand, C., Asoudeh, F., Bagheri, A., Kalantar, Z., Vahabi, Z., Shab-Bidar, S., Rezvani, H., & Djafarian, K. (2022). Does Ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytotherapy Research, 36(11), 4115–4124. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7598
Meta-analysis of 12 RCTs found ashwagandha significantly reduced anxiety and stress scores compared with placebo.
 Read →
Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled studyLangade, D., Thakare, V., Kanchi, S., & Kelgane, S. (2021). Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 264, 113276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113276
10 weeks of ashwagandha significantly improved actigraphy-measured sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency and total sleep time vs placebo.
 Read →
Effects of Withania somnifera extract in chronically stressed adults: A randomized controlled trial.Pandit, S., Srivastav, A. K., Sur, T. K., Chaudhuri, S., Wang, Y., & Biswas, T. K. (2024). Effects of Withania somnifera extract in chronically stressed adults: A randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 16(9), 1293. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091293
Daily ashwagandha extract reduced perceived stress, anxiety, fatigue and serum cortisol in chronically stressed adults vs placebo.
 Read →
Safety and Efficacy of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Cognition, Energy and Mood Problems in Adults: Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled StudyKale, S., Lopresti, A., Suri, R., Garg, N., & Langade, D. (2024). Safety and efficacy of ashwagandha root extract on cognition, energy and mood problems in adults: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2024.2424279
Daily ashwagandha significantly improved self-reported cognition, energy and mood compared with placebo over the trial period.
 Read →

[ 06 ] In the Protocol

Where Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root & Leaf Extract (Sensoril®) sits in the element3 Protocol

In element3 Rest (PM Formula), Sensoril® at 125mg supports evening calm as part of your wind-down. It works alongside L-theanine, Magnesium Citrate, Passionflower and Valerian Root, traditional calming botanicals brought together to support a restful evening. element3 Rest is taken around 30 to 60 minutes before bed, to fit with the body’s natural shift toward rest.

You can learn more about the full element3 ingredient philosophy at element3.co.nz.  Sensoril® is a trademark of a Kerry Company.

Good to know

This page is for general education only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor, pharmacist or other health professional. Dietary supplements should not replace a balanced diet. Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, or you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, talk to your health professional before use.