Denmark Banned Ashwagandha – Here’s What They Got Right (And What They Missed)

Recently, Denmark made headlines by banning Ashwagandha – an ancient Ayurvedic herb known for its stress-relieving and performance-enhancing benefits. But the story isn't as simple as “ashwagandha is bad.” In fact, the ban says more about quality, dosage, and transparency – all things we take seriously at Super Botanic.

Why Did Denmark Ban It?

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration raised red flags around:

Liver and thyroid safety at high or unregulated doses
Lack of clarity around what type of extract is used in many supplements
Poor consumer protection due to inconsistency across product

The concern isn’t unjustified. A growing number of Ashwagandha products on the market are unstandardized, poorly dosed, or use cheaper leaf extracts not backed by any clinical evidence.

But banning it outright? That’s like banning food because some people eat too much junk. The truth is: not all Ashwagandha is created equal.

What Makes Super Botanic Different?

At Super Botanic, we do things differently. We formulate with KSM-66®, a gold-standard, full-spectrum root extract that’s been the subject of over 24 clinical studies.

Why does that matter?

✅ Root-only extract – avoids untested, harsher leaf components
✅ Clinically dosed – 600 mg/day for safety and effectiveness
✅ Proprietary extraction method – preserves the full suite of bioactives
✅ Batch-tested and transparent – so you always know what you’re taking

Dosage Matters More Than Ever

One of Denmark’s key concerns was the inconsistency across supplements. And they're right:

Too little ashwagandha? Doesn’t do much.
Too much? May stress the liver or thyroid.
No dosage info? That’s unacceptable.

We’ve built our formulas on what the science actually supports — not marketing fluff or megadosing.

Why KSM-66®?

When it comes to ashwagandha, KSM-66® stands apart. It's not just any extract — it’s the result of over 14 years of R&D and is considered the highest concentration, full-spectrum root extract available on the market. Here’s why we choose it:

Root-only extract – following the traditional Ayurvedic principle that the root carries the therapeutic benefits
Clinically validated – supported by over 24 human studies across sleep, stress, strength, cognition, sexual health, and more
Full-spectrum extraction – preserves the natural balance of bioactive compounds without synthetic additives or alcohols
Proprietary, eco-friendly process – no harsh solvents, and third-party tested for purity and potency
Trusted globally – used in over 1,000 finished products and patented in multiple countries

Why We Avoid Ashwagandha Leaf Extracts

Some manufacturers use ashwagandha leaf extracts because they are cheaper and easier to process — but this comes at a cost to safety and efficacy.

No traditional support: Ayurvedic texts recommend the root, not the leaf, for therapeutic use.
Lack of safety data: Very few clinical studies exist on the leaf, especially at high doses.
Potential liver toxicity: Several global regulatory bodies, including Denmark's own authorities, have flagged products with non-root extracts as potentially unsafe.
Unethical labeling: Some brands don’t disclose whether they’re using leaf, root, or a mix — misleading consumers and health professionals alike.

What Does the Science Say?

Here’s another reason why we trust KSM-66® — and why you can, too:

🌿 Stress & Anxiety

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study by Chandrasekhar et al., 300 mg twice daily for 60 days led to significant reductions in stress and cortisol levels (p < 0.0001).
A 2019 trial found that both 250 mg and 600 mg daily doses of KSM-66 reduced anxiety, with 600 mg showing the strongest results.

🌿 Sleep Quality

A study published in 2020 found that 600 mg/day of KSM-66 improved sleep efficiency, latency, and overall restfulness in adults suffering from insomnia.
Another trial in older adults noted improved sleep onset and morning alertness after 8 weeks.

🌿 Strength, Endurance & Recovery

Choudhary et al. demonstrated that 600 mg/day improved VO₂ max and endurance in athletes.
A 2023 study showed gains in muscle size, strength, testosterone levels, and recovery time after consistent use of KSM-66.

🌿 Sexual & Hormonal Health

In Ambiye et al.’s study, men taking 675 mg/day showed a significant increase in sperm count, motility, and testosterone.
Multiple other trials have shown benefits in female sexual wellness, hormone regulation, and arousal — all with KSM-66’s clinically safe dosing.

Why Our Ashwagandha Formula Goes One Step Further: We Add Affron®

To make our formula even more effective, we combine KSM-66® with Affron® — a premium, standardised saffron extract supported by clinical trials.

🌸 What Is Affron®?

Affron is a patented extract of Crocus sativus (saffron stigma), standardised to 3.5% Lepticrosalides®, the active compounds responsible for its therapeutic effects.

🌿 Clinically Studied Benefits of Affron®:

Improves mood and emotional balance
Supports restful sleep and reduces feelings of nervousness
Helps with mild-to-moderate anxiety and low mood in both adults and teens
Enhances mental clarity and emotional resilience

In one study, participants taking 28 mg of Affron daily reported a significant improvement in mood, energy, and calmness compared to placebo — without side effects.

The Bottom Line

Denmark's ban is a reminder that quality matters. The real problem isn’t Ashwagandha — it’s the poor regulation and misleading products that flood the market.

At Super Botanic, we believe in herbal intelligence — that means using clinically validated ingredients, transparent formulas, and respecting the power of plants.

If you're going to take Ashwagandha, take it smart. Take it backed by science.

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