We get a lot of questions and we try our best to answer as many as we can, but some keep repeating themselves and this is one of them. The new Cur-OST EQ Adapt & Calm Ashwagandha. Why is it so sticky? Seems to be working great for your horse, but this stickiness can be a challenge. There must be a reason, right? Indeed there is!
In every herb, plant, and food, there are sugars and I will use that term ‘sugars’ loosely as one sugar is not the same as another. In herbs, we name them polysaccharides, which are complex chains of glucose molecules. These polysaccharides are actually one of the most biochemically active components to many herbs, usually in addition to other phytochemicals. The polysaccharides and their makeup are usually different from one plant or herb to the next, never identical, and given their uniqueness, each polysaccharide as huge potential when it comes to health in your horse.
Well, these polysaccharides are ‘sugar’ molecules and the higher the concentration in an herb or herbal extract, the ‘stickier’ it can be. Plain science. It is like eating a watermelon. Delicious and refreshing to the body during the heat of the summer, but very sticky! Do we just stop eating watermelon because it is sticky? Well, some would, trust me.
The newer Ashwagandha extract that we are using in the Cur-OST EQ Adapt & Calm is a water-ethanol extract, while the one we were using prior was just an ethanol extract. This water extraction allows the formulator to extract and harness those polysaccharides, because these sugar molecules are water soluble. Thus, the new extract contains many phytochemicals, some that are water soluble and others that are ethanol soluble. Bottom line? The new extract has a higher concentration of the potent and beneficial polysaccharides, and thus, a sticky characteristic. This is not unlike many other herbs that we utilize that have concentrated polysaccharides, mainly being mushrooms and other Yin tonics, including some berries. This is their nature and trust me, you desire these polysaccharides for your horse! A much more potent and all-around beneficial extract as compared to the past.
How to get around it?
Well, to me personally it is not an issue and I not only consume it myself daily, but I create the herbal blends that many use. So, I handle it daily and know it very well.
First, if you are using the Cur-OST EQ Adapt & Calm by itself with no other formulas, add it to the pellet or ‘grain’ medium you are feeding your horse and add a bit of water, then blend it in. Easy enough! Then, if it is sticking to your hands, simply wash them.
Second, if you are using the Cur-OST EQ Adapt & Calm with other Cur-OST formulas, simply blend the two together in the feed bucket with a splash of water. Or, if you are preparing the supplements days in advance, add the two together and blend. The Ashwagandha mixes very well with other herbs and by blending, it helps to ‘dilute’ out the sticky quality.
Third, if you truly despise the sticky quality and just don’t understand, but like the benefits, I would suggest trying the Cur-OST EQ Adapt & Recover formula which contains the Ashwagandha but also a host of other adaptogenic herbs that just might benefit your horse a little better.
I hope this helps to clear up any confusion. We are all about potency and correct dosage here at Nouvelle Research. Nothing is done ‘just because’, but we are ever searching for the highest quality and most beneficial herbal extracts for your horse.
Author: Tom Schell, D.V.M, CVCH, CHN
Hi Dr Schell, I’ve been using this Adapt and Calm, combined with Total Support successfully for many months. My formerly reactive mare is calmer and seems to feel better about life. I also use your human version and find I’m less “mare-ish” myself! 😁 Is this a combination that can be used for the long term at the dosage recommended on the jar? Thank you!