KSM-66 vs Sensoril vs Shoden.
Three branded ashwagandha extracts dominate clinically-positioned supplements: KSM-66 (Ixoreal), Sensoril (Natreon), and Shoden (Arjuna Natural). They are not interchangeable. The RCTs run on each are specific to that extract, you can't swap one out and inherit the evidence.
| Spec | KSM-66 | Sensoril | Shoden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier | Ixoreal Biomed (India) | Natreon (India) | Arjuna Natural (India) |
| Plant part | Root only | Root + leaf | Root + leaf |
| Standardisation (HPLC) | ≥5% withanolides | ≥10% withanolides | ≥35% withanolide glycosides |
| Typical clinical dose | 300–600 mg/day | 125–250 mg/day | 60–120 mg/day |
| Notable RCTs | 20+ across stress, sleep, strength, fertility | 10+ across cognition, sleep, stress | Sleep (PSQI), cortisol |
| Price (mid-2026) | €120–€180/kg | €150–€220/kg | €300–€500/kg |
| EU stockist MOQ | 5 kg | 5 kg | 1 kg |
| Best positioning | Sleep, stress, strength, general adaptogen | Sleep, cognition, evening formula | Premium micro-dose, sleep capsule |
How they differ chemically
KSM-66 uses a water-based, milk-free extraction of root only. The withanolide profile is wide and the historical "full spectrum" character is preserved, that's why most general-adaptogen RCTs ran on it. Sensoril uses root + leaf with a higher concentration of withanolide glycosides and withaferin A, which gives the higher potency per mg. Shoden takes that further still, 35% withanolide glycosides means the active dose drops to 60–120 mg, ideal for capsule space-constrained formulations.
When to pick each
- Pick KSM-66 when you want the broadest clinical claim coverage (sleep, stress, strength, testosterone, fertility) and the best-known consumer brand recognition. It's the default for general daytime adaptogen SKUs.
- Pick Sensoril when your positioning is evening / sleep / cognition and you want a lower mg dose with the higher-potency withanolide profile. Common in nighttime stacks.
- Pick Shoden when you're capsule-space constrained (multi-ingredient stack) or premium-positioned and want the smallest dose. Cost per daily dose lands close to KSM-66 despite the kg price premium.
What about generic 5% withanolides?
Generic Indian extract standardised to 5% withanolides costs 3–4x less but has no human RCTs run on it specifically. For value-tier brands where the label just says "ashwagandha extract", it's perfectly fine. For clinically-positioned brands that want to cite studies on the website, it's not, substitution invalidates the evidence borrowing.
Tell Jake which extract, kg/year, and your CMO location. He intros the authorised EU distributor for that brand directly.