i have been growing ashwagandha from seed
as an annual in my 6b zone for a handful of years
but this last year was the first season where i got a truly awesome haul.
every plant was sizeable and went to seed.
this is the most potent ashwagandha tincture i've ever made.
i've worked with ashwagandha for about 10 years
and experiencing this quality of fresh root was novel.

i pulled the roots in the fall after the plants went to seed.
i triple washed the roots, sliced them and immediately tinctured them fresh in grain alcohol.
because roots and mushrooms are hardy and tinctured in grain,
i leave them in for 6+ months to really get everything out of them.
this is a very strong tincture.

i have noticed that when you tincture ashwagandha fresh (or make tea with fresh root)
it is still an adaptogen that balances things out, but it tends to lean into its tonic properties.
it makes you stronger. it gives you more energy and endurance. it benefits libido.
this tincture is basically a concentrate. i would start at 5-10 drops 1-3x a day
and inch your way up from there if you needed a bit more of a boost.

i still think the fresh root tincture evens things out nicely. it still relaxes anxiety and tension.
i would exclusively use lower doses for these purposes (5-10 drops)
and strongly consider 'the balance blend' for these purposes where you could get away with a stiffer dose.

there was about a year in my early 20's where i really crutched by on health food store ashwagandha tinctures
that are made from bulk dried roots. i actually think this is one of the few remedies that is totally fine to make from dried bulk.
i think they tend to lean more into the calming, anxiolytic properties, while still supporting over all balance. just my 2 cents.
how your remedy is made, the quality of the materials, powder vs tincture vs tea- it all matters!

keep in mind that if you start working with stiff doses of ashwagandha, you can override the 'balancing' properties
and start really smacking into the energizing tonic properties. i see people do this with adaptopgens ALL THE TIME
and then they say 'oh i had a terrible time!' or 'it wasn't relaxing at all!'
dosage matters a lot! more is not always more.

at consistent stiff doses (or any form of powdered ashwagandha for that matter), it's more akin to caffeine than medicine.
it's stimulating. you can overdo it and crash later if you don't have the reserves under you to fall back on.
for people in generally good health, no big deal.
for someone who is weak, ill or elderly- please take care here.
i would be so glad to help you get meaningful support. just reach out.
and while ashwagandha at appropriate doses tends to normalize BP,
repeated stiff doses could potentially increase BP for people who are already high.
this is extra true with fresh root products, stiff teas and with ashwagandha powder.
i have good BP remedies. reach out if you need help.

i have a few formulas where ashwagandha really shines:

the balance blend is such an incredible tincture. (holy basil krishna, reishi mushroom, ashwagandha root, optional: corydceps)
it's a great anxiety remedy for people who tend towards exhaustion. it helps to restore strength in people who are still very sensitive.
it's a great remedy for people who need some help holding center (BP, cholesterol, sugar etc)
it's great for people who are making recoveries or going through treatments. it is gentle. it won't interact with meds.
it fits in nicely with other more specific remedies to help you get back on track from whatever is specifically going on with you.

strength: nettle + seed, reishi mushroom, ashwagandha + cordyceps is another blend that i use to help people get back on track after big illnesses. it's good for men + women. it would be safe to use for children in certain situations where they need a nutritive tonic or kidney support. that's happened a few times. this blend is a nutritive tonic. it is strong, but very safe. it helps you restore your strength + reserves through deep, complex nutrition. i will soon have this formula as a tea for people who really need a sincere boost. i have used this formula to regain strength after extended, serious illness.

it is also an excellent sexual tonic. i've had a number of male clients really appreciate this formula. there are root issues for these kinds of problems and this formula is a great support here. sometimes clients feel concerned that this indication is here. i will explain it like this: for people who are exhausted and depleted, it helps to restore your vitality. those energies usually go into catalyzing recovery and energy levels. for people who are healthy but in need of some sexual or reproductive support, even low doses may lead to increased libido. cordyceps are so strong, even at very small doses. i ask that you please respect the medicine and only use if if you are truly in need. they can make a huge difference in the lives of people who really need them.

for women: 'the star' (reishi, ashwagandha, nettle, angelica root, rose hips + orange peel)
is a similar formula that is more tailored to female support, fertility + recovery. it is a tea, which is stronger.
i can make it into a tincture.


i consult for free for your safety and benefit. please feel free to send me a write up any time and i would be so glad to help. best!

safely packaged

cool room temp

instructions included. personal dosage available through consultation.