Standardized vs. Non-Standardized Herbal Extracts: What You Need to Know

When I first started diving deep into supplement formulation, one of the biggest surprises wasn’t just what ingredients were being used it was how differently the same herb could perform depending on how it was extracted. And that’s what led me to one of the most important distinctions in the world of herbal supplements: standardized vs. non-standardized extracts.

If you’ve ever seen something like “Ashwagandha extract (standardized to 5% withanolides)” on a label, that’s a standardized extract. And if it just says “Ashwagandha root powder,” that’s typically non-standardized. But what does that actually mean for your results?

Let’s break it down.

Non-Standardized Extracts: The Traditional Approach

Non-standardized herbal extracts (or raw herb powders) are typically ground plant material sometimes with water or alcohol used in the extraction, sometimes not. This method reflects a more traditional, whole-plant approach. You’re getting everything the herb naturally contains, including its active compounds, fiber, and other phytochemicals.

The downside? The levels of active compounds can vary a lot from batch to batch. Soil quality, growing conditions, harvest timing, and even storage can all affect potency. So you may not get the same result every time, even if the dose on the label stays the same.

For example, two capsules of non-standardized ginseng may contain very different levels of ginsenosides the compounds that actually drive its benefits.

Standardized Extracts: Precision and Potency

A standardized extract, on the other hand, has been refined to ensure it delivers a consistent level of a specific active compound like curcumin in turmeric or withanolides in ashwagandha. This doesn’t just make dosing more precise it also ensures you’re getting the compound responsible for the benefit you’re after.

Let’s say you’re using Rhodiola to support endurance and mental clarity. If you’re using a standardized extract, you’ll know it contains the correct concentration of rosavins and salidroside the active ingredients that actually do the work. That consistency matters when you’re trying to track results over time or stack ingredients for synergy.

Why We Use Both—Strategically

At Brother Barbell Supplements, I don’t take a black-and-white approach. Some ingredients work best as standardized extracts, especially when we want to dial in exact physiological effects like adaptogens for cortisol regulation or nootropics for cognitive performance.

But in other cases, we may use whole-plant powders where the synergistic compounds matter more than a single active. We make those decisions based on research, bioavailability, and real-world results not what’s cheapest or easiest to manufacture.

The key is this: we always disclose exactly what kind of extract we’re using, and we never hide behind vague labeling. If we use a standardized extract, we tell you the percentage. If it’s whole-plant, we explain why.

Why This Matters for Your Results

If you’re serious about training, recovery, mental clarity, or long-term health, you want to know that your supplements are consistent, reliable, and effective. That starts with knowing what’s actually in the capsule and what form it’s in.

Not all ashwagandha, turmeric, or ginseng is created equal. Standardization matters. Source matters. And most of all transparency matters.

That’s what we’re about at Brother Barbell: giving you supplements that do what they say, with formulas you can trust, and results you can feel.