Sanskrit

:

Ashwagandha, Ajagandha

English

:

Winter cherry, Indian ginseng

Latin name

:

Withania somnifera

Solanaceae

Ashwagandha is a Rasayana (rejuvenator) herb which helps in promoting ojas. It is a well known stress alleviator herb. It increases physical endurance and  helps in   regeneration of  hormonal system .Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means "horse's smell" which resembles the smell of sweaty horse.The species name somnifera means "sleep inducing " in latin, indicating to its sedating properties.

Morphology: A dense, hairy erect grayish tomentose herb or undershrub. The roots are stout, long tuberous, fleshy, whitish brown and aromatic.  The leaves are simple, alternate or sub-opposite, round-oval shaped. The flowers are greenish-yellow and found in few flowered clusters in axils. The fruit is a round orange-red berry, enclosed in green enlarged calyx. The fruit resembles that of red cherries. The seeds are many, yellow kidney shaped and discoid.

Chemical composition:

The main constituents of Ashwagandha are Alkaloids, Steroidal lactones,  Within alkaloids. Withanine is the main alkaloid. Other constituents are amino acids, choline, beta-sitosterol, chlorogenic acid, scopoletin, withaferin etc.

Useful parts: Roots and leaves

Medicinal properties:

It has anti-stress, adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, sedative, diuretic, antispasmodic, germicidal, anti-inflammatory action.

It is a  nervine  tonic.

It enhances immunity and endurance.

It is  a natural nutrient for insomnia

It is good hypnotic in Alcoholism.

It is bitter in taste and hot in potency so it  alleviates vata and kapha.

It stimulates thyroid activity.

Enhances anti-peroxidation of liver.

Medicinal uses:

• Ashwagangha is a revitalizing herb that maintains proper nourishment of tisuues, particularly  muscle and bones.

• It increases resistance to stress and mainly beneficial in stress related disorders such as arthritis, hypertension, tremors, diabetes, general debility and  inflammation. It increases body's resistance towards adverse influence.

• It restores the neurotransmitters and hence useful in various mental disorders.

• It is also used for treating memory loss.

• It support proper function of adrenals and reproductive system.

• As it is powerful aphrodisiac, it is also  used for sexual vitality and as an adaptogen.

• It is blood tonifier, that improves circulation and absorption of nutrients from the cells.

• Peroxidation is toxic to  the tissues, hence, it is protective to liver.

Dose: Powder 3-5 gm

Important formulations: Ashwagandha Churna

Precaution:

Large dose is Abortifacient

Use with caution in patients suffering  from hypertension.

Should not be taken with sedative and  anti-anxiety drugs on personal basis.

Home remedies:

1. Increasing Breast Milk : Its Ksheerapaka, is very effective in increasing the breast milk in  nursing  mothers.T he ksheerpaka is prepared with Vidarikanda and Madhuyashti in the proportion of 3:2:1.
2. In Impotency &Infertility : It is used in males to  increase the semen and sexual potency. In females  it is used to reduce white discharge and infertility  . The root powder should be taken in the  dose of 3-5gm daily with milk.
3. As a rejuvenative and anti ageing : Daily intake of root powder of Ashwagandha provides Rasayana effects in the body and prevents premature ageing .