{"product_id":"ashwagandha-whole-root-sabut","title":"Ashwagandha Whole Root (Sabut)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe reason to buy ashwagandha as whole root rather than powder is simple: you can see what you are getting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePowder hides everything. Stalk, leaf, fillers and old stock all look much the same once ground. Whole root cannot be faked in the same way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Whole Root\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eYou can inspect it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoot is root. There is no way to pass off stalk and leaf as whole dried root, which is the most common adulteration in powdered ashwagandha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIt keeps much longer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrinding exposes a large surface area to air, and volatile compounds start degrading from that moment. Whole root keeps its potency for two years or more in a sealed jar. Powder is noticeably weaker after six months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIt works out cheaper\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you use ashwagandha daily, buying root and grinding it as needed costs less per gram than repeatedly buying small packs of powder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eYou can make a decoction\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKadha, or decoction, is the older Ayurvedic preparation and cannot be made properly from powder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Use It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGrinding it fresh\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBreak the root into small pieces by hand or with a pestle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrind in a dry mixer jar in short bursts so it does not heat up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSift through a fine tea strainer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrind a week or two at a time, not the whole packet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMaking a decoction (kadha)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTake \u003cstrong\u003e5-10g\u003c\/strong\u003e of root, crushed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd to \u003cstrong\u003e2 cups of water\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSimmer on a low flame until it reduces to about \u003cstrong\u003ehalf a cup\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrain and drink warm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis takes 20-30 minutes and gives a stronger preparation than powder in milk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAshwagandha milk from root\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimmer 5g of crushed root in a cup of milk for 10 minutes, strain, sweeten and drink at night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDosage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAs a decoction\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-10g of root a day\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGround into powder\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e½ to 1 teaspoon a day\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest time\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNight for calm and sleep, morning for energy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHow long\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6-8 weeks before judging it\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Good Root Looks Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePale beige to light brown\u003c\/strong\u003e, not dark\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirm and snaps cleanly.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bendy root has taken up moisture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrong horsey smell\u003c\/strong\u003e when broken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot pieces, not stalk.\u003c\/strong\u003e Root is thicker and pale right through; stalk is thin and hollow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDry, with no musty smell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eStorage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn airtight glass jar in a dark cupboard. Keep it away from the stove and out of the fridge — humidity is what spoils it. Stored properly it holds for two years or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the root stronger than the powder?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFresh ground from root, yes, because nothing has degraded. Root that has sat in your cupboard for a year and been ground yesterday will beat powder bought a year ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I chew it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYou can, but it is woody and very bitter. Decoction or grinding is easier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much powder does 100g of root give?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nClose to 100g. You lose a little as fibre when sifting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a special grinder?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. A normal dry mixer jar handles it. Break the root down first so you are not straining the motor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I reuse the root after making a decoction?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOnce. The second extraction is much weaker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is a food product, not a medicine. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified doctor before starting any supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medication.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ayurveda Amrita","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54217885188393,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0859\/5832\/8617\/files\/41_6537f199-0490-48db-8bf5-3cadb2b848ac.jpg?v=1790101955","url":"https:\/\/www.ayurvedaamrita.org\/products\/ashwagandha-whole-root-sabut","provider":"Ayurveda Amrita","version":"1.0","type":"link"}