What is Ashwagandha, anyway?
They say a “Jack of all trades is a master of none,” but Ashwagandha—the ancient powerhouse of Ayurveda—proves that not all idioms are true. Known as the “Prince of Herbs,” this remarkable plant has been used for over 4,000 years to support both body and mind, proving to be a true master in the art of holistic wellness, thanks to its profound ability to promote well-being in a myriad ways. A few of its fantastic benefits? Ashwagandha helps manage stress, enhance cognition, and strengthen resilience.
It’s rare for any herb to wear this many crowns, but, then again, Ashwagandha isn’t just any herb.
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha has long been used—often alongside other herbs to enhance its effects—to address many of the same health goals we seek today: energizing the body, calming the mind, and promoting overall balance.
If we fast forward to the present, we see modern science is catching up with ancient wisdom. Studies show that Ashwagandha supports stress reduction, mental focus, physical performance, and more. As more studies and trials are conducted, the benefits of Ashwagandha become even more apparent. This is thanks to Ashwagandha’s powerful adaptogens—compounds that help the body adapt to stress while boosting resilience against physical, environmental, and even mental challenges.
Knowing all of this, it’s no mystery why Ashwagandha is enjoying a (well-deserved!) rise in popularity as an ingredient in wellness products around the world.
The Science Behind Ashwagandha’s Effectiveness—and Why a Roots-Only Approach is Key
Ashwagandha sounds incredible, doesn’t it? That’s because it is! However, there’s something very important to note about the herb: not all Ashwagandha extracts are created equal. And we do mean “created.” How the Ashwagandha plant is used, and how it is extracted, are incredibly important considerations in its effectiveness.
First, let’s look at using the whole plant vs. just the roots. Some companies look to boost their profits by using the entire Ashwagandha plant—root and leaves—to create their extracts. But, to stay true to traditional uses and modern scientific evidence, we should really only be using the plant’s root. The Ashwagandha root is well-supported by clinical studies and has shown consistent adaptogenic benefits for internal use. Leaves, on the other hand, were traditionally only used for topical applications.
A roots-only approach to extracts also aligns with international pharmacopeias and regulatory bodies, including the U.S. and British Pharmacopeias, the Indian Pharmacopeia, and even the W.H.O. monograph—all of which focus on the root as the therapeutic component in Ashwagandha.
So, it is crucial to ensure your Ashwagandha extracts stay true to the time-honored tradition and scientifically sound approach by only using the plant's root in its creation.
That’s why we exclusively use organic and non-GMO KSM-66® Ashwagandha in our formulations.
Developed over 14 years of rigorous research and refinement, KSM-66® preserves the synergistic effect of Ashwagandha, which is key to its powerful therapeutic benefits—especially when combined with other ingredients.
This highly potent, full-spectrum, root-only extract maintains the natural balance of the plant’s powerful active compounds. Furthermore, it is crafted through a unique process based on the principles of “Green Chemistry.” Rooted in the science of sustainable and minimal-impact processing, this method ensures KSM-66® is not just health-conscious, but also environmentally kind. Thanks to this process, the final result is a pure formulation that preserves the herb's critical compounds, keeping it as close to nature as possible.
If you’re now asking if all that trouble is really worth it, the answer is a resounding “yes!”
In more than 24 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials, KSM-66® has been shown to help reduce stress, curb stress-related food cravings, and improve sleep quality. Additional studies indicate that KSM-66® has been shown to support memory, cognition, physical endurance, immune function, and even sexual health—including testosterone support in men.
Benefits of Ashwagandha (There are a lot!)
Ashwagandha isn’t just powerful in one sense, it promises a wide range of benefits. Here are a few key ways Ashwagandha can support your health:
1. Supports Stress Relief and Alleviates Anxiety
Let’s be frank: chronic stress is not good for you, mind nor body. Ashwagandha’s adaptogenic properties help regulate cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Clinical trials show that KSM-66® Ashwagandha can significantly reduce stress-related symptoms. When you include it in your wellness routine, you’re helping to support a calm, centered state of mind.
2. Enhances Energy and Fortifies Focus
Most, if not all, of us could probably benefit from boosted energy levels and better mental clarity. Well, Ashwagandha can certainly help there, too! Studies have shown that Ashwagandha can enhance both physical endurance and cognitive function, acting as a reliable boost for those needing sharper focus or greater stamina (or both!)—without the jitters. Ashwagandha is also known for supporting adrenal health, which in turn helps stress-related fatigue to promote natural and sustained energy.
3. Improves Immune Function and Amplifies Anti-Inflammatory Properties
It’s no surprise that your overall health is heavily reliant on a strong immune system. Clinical studies have shown that Ashwagandha can enhance immune function by increasing white blood cell counts and improving the body’s defense. Ashwagandha is also an excellent support for immune health in general, thanks to its ability to help with inflammation (an all-too-common culprit for many immune issues).
ION* Plus Line Products Are Formulated with KSM-66® Ashwagandha and Tailored for Holistic Health
Understanding not only the extensive health benefits of Ashwagandha but also the importance of its extraction process is why we exclusively use KSM-66® Ashwagandha in our new ION* Plus Line products. This high-quality extract is a key component in every formulation because of its incredible, versatile ability to support so many facets of our health and wellness. Below, you’ll find how KSM-66® Ashwagandha uniquely shines in each of our new ION* Plus Line products.
+Vital Immunity
+Vital Immunity was designed to provide a powerful, natural immune boost. It is created with KSM-66® Ashwagandha and complementary whole botanicals and adaptogens like NAC, elderberry, mushrooms, and licorice root—and no added sugars. +Vital Immunity supports cellular health, combats free radicals, and helps your body stay prepared to fend off environmental stressors so you can always feel your best, even when life throws curveballs at your immune system.
+Vital Immunity is a natural way to boost immunity, especially when partnered with ION* Gut Support. Because 70-80% of your immune system is found in your gut, pairing the two together helps reinforce your body’s innate immunity at its very foundation, supporting nutrient absorption and fortifying your body’s defenses against toxins by keeping your gut healthy and strong.
+Restful Sleep
Melatonin-free, +Restful Sleep can help you unwind and relax—without the next-day grogginess or risk of long-term dependency. Alongside KSM-66® Ashwagandha to support natural, restful sleep, this balanced formula also uses chamomile, L-tryptophan, and Reishi mushrooms to help balance your body’s natural sleep rhythms.
Up to 45% of people worldwide experience sleep problems—that’s a problem far outside of feeling a little groggy. Quality sleep is essential not only for health, but for our quality of life, too. It impacts everything, including mental clarity, energy, immune function, and mood stability. If you are interested in supporting your health and wellness, making good sleep a priority should be a big priority.
What makes +Restful Sleep special is that it seeks to address the root cause of sleep disruption by working holistically with ION* Gut Support. You may not immediately realize the strong connection between your gut and your sleep, but consider this: 95% of your body’s serotonin is produced in the gut. So, when that production is impacted negatively by a weakened gut lining or a microbiome that’s unbalanced, you have more than gut issues—you have sleep issues, too.
Not to mention, intestinal permeability affects the absorption of nutrients that are key for regulating sleep, like magnesium and B vitamins. At the same time, environmental toxins such as glyphosate block the production of five of the nine essential amino acids, one being L-tryptophan, which is a vital precursor to the natural formation of melatonin.
+Focused Mind
Energy without the crash? It’s possible with a little boost from +Focused Mind, thanks to its formulation with KSM-66® Ashwagandha, ceremonial matcha, sage, blue-green algae, and Schisandra berry. These powerful adaptogens and whole botanicals can help give you the mental clarity, creative flow, and focus you want—without the jitters.
Pair +Focused Mind with ION* Gut Support to support your body’s incredibly important gut-brain axis, which is essential for cognition, memory, and mood regulation. ION* Gut Support reinforces the tight junctions in your gut while also supporting a diverse microbiome—both crucial for neurotransmitter production. Pairing +Focused Mind and ION* Gut Support together means you’re giving your body what it needs to help bolster sustained mental energy, concentration, and cognitive resilience.
Curious about getting Ashwagandha goodness across all areas of your health and wellness? Here’s the best way to get the most of each product in the ION* Plus Line.
Stacking Protocol
+Vital Immunity with your first meal of the day.
+Focused Mind around midday (just before the typical afternoon slump)
+Restful Sleep approximately 30 minutes before bed
To incorporate ION* Gut Support, simply add a teaspoon into your water and ION* Plus Line mix. Easy!
For best results, try a 5-days-on, 2-days-off approach, so your body can fully absorb—and enjoy— the benefits.
This stacking protocol is a wellness routine sequenced to support every facet of your health, from head to toe. Bolster your natural immunity, boost mental clarity, and enjoy truly restful, restorative sleep the all-natural way with the ION* Plus Line products, all created with KSM-66® Ashwagandha, powerful adaptogens, and whole botanicals specially designed to work synergistically with ION* Gut Support.
Even better, each +Plus Line product comes packaged in easy-to-carry travel sizes—so you can always have your best wellness within reach, no matter where you are.
Harness the ancient power of Ashwagandha and put your gut health at the foundation of your wellness with our new ION* Plus Line and ION* Gut Support.
Try this new approach to holistic wellness today!
