CS: Difference between Ashwagandha and Sensoril?

CS: i came across Swanson's catalog and saw that ashwagandha was on sale. I am taking Sensoril which is a patented ashwagandha. Here are the products: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SW957/ItemDetail?n=4294967188

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU376/ItemDetail?n=4294967188

So i was just wondering if there's a difference between the two? Which one is more effective?

BTW, Jarrow makes Sensoril as well with 225mg per capsule. Perhaps a better value?
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/JR075/ItemDetail?n=4294967188

Thanks

GoodThings - Yes, the one from Jarrow is a better value, only need to take one twice per day (morning/evening). I use this kind myself after I noticed it was a better deal. I'm going change the link on that one. Thanks!

Sensoril is standardized for the Withanolides content, so it will be the same as the clinical studies that used the patented amounts found in Sensoril as opposed to the herb.

Using enough of the regular herb will have the same effect, but the amount needed to take may very.

CS
So you take one or two caps. of sensoril?
Thanks a lot!

tommmash - I take one 225 mg, sometimes two per day.

When I've taken this in the past I found that a capsule of whole powdered herb made me feel quite different to the Sensoril capsule.

The whole herb enhanced my mood more, generally made me much more relaxed and sociable, and let me think much more clearly at work. Sensoril had a similar but far less noticable effect. I ended up sticking with Sensoril just because I like to know exactly what I'm taking.

While Ashwagandha is known to reduce cortisol, I have seen studies where it is shown to increase testosterone which might negate benefits from the other. Did anyone see that?

danmrtini - A high testosterone to cortisol ratio is desirable. It may seem counterintuitive to take something that may elevate testosterone but it's really a good thing. If cortisol levels are high relative to testosterone, reversing this process will help stablize glucose and insulin levels which have significant influence in the output of DHT and other forces involved with inflammation.

Thanks. I did notice post hernia BPH problem got alot worse when I took Ashwagandha last year for anxiety, that I quit because of it.

I just started taking ashwagandha and I was searching the internet to find out when to take it, time of day, and with or without food. I came across this statement on a website, should I be concerned? I suspect that I am deficient in Iodine, so I'm supplementing with Lugol's, but I'm not absolutely positive if I have hyperthyrodism or not. Should I take the risk with ashwagandha?


"People with thyroid conditions should not take preparations with ashwagandha as it may induce hyperthyroidism."

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/159038-the-truth-about-ashwagandha-herbs/#ixzz0swYRsu3P

MilBA - Here is the study in question: This is certainly an isolated case, and perhaps in an iodine deficient environment that is a possibility, although probably quite rare.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2005 Nov 19;149(47):2637-8.

[Thyrotoxicosis following the use of ashwagandha]
[Article in Dutch]

van der Hooft CS, Hoekstra A, Winter A, de Smet PA, Stricker BH.

Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg, sectie Geneesmiddelenbewaking, Postbus 16.119, 2500 BC Den Haag.


A 32-year-old healthy woman developed thyrotoxicosis while taking capsules that contained ashwagandha herbal extract for symptoms of chronic fatigue. She was not taking any other remedies or medications. During the first few weeks, she took the capsules only occasionally without any symptoms, but after increasing the dose, she experienced clinical symptoms indicative of thyrotoxicosis. This was confirmed by laboratory assessment. The symptoms resolved spontaneously after discontinuation of the ashwagandha capsules and laboratory values normalised. To our knowledge, this relationship has not been reported previously in humans. Data from animal studies, however, have suggested that ashwagandha can increase serum concentrations of thyroid hormones. This case study suggests that thyrotoxicosis is a potentially serious side effect of ashwagandha.

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Thyroid-Energy-Thyroid-Support-90-Vcaps/843?at=0

In this product for the support of healthy thyroid function is added ashwagandha. Bit confused

Caustic- How concerned should i be about negative on thyroid if i were Jarrows Ashwagandha once per day? I am working out using p90x so im trying lower cortisol and raise testosterone ratio. My thyroid seems to be fine.