Common Name – Ashwagandha
Scientific Name – Withania somnifera
Part used – Root
Constituents and Active Ingredients: Steroidal compounds like withaferin A, sitoindosides and alkaloids like tropane types and isopelletierine, anaferine.
Overview: Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry, has been used medicinally in India as an Ayurvedic medicine for over 3000 years.
The plant’s Latin name literally means, “sweat of a horse” due to the scent of the roots.
It was generally used as a tonic herb for promoting longevity, treating emaciation and for improving reproductive functions of both men and women.
Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen like ginseng, but is not stimulating. Adaptogens help to adapt to stressful situations.
It has a mild sedative effect, as the ‘somni’ part of its Latin name indicates. somniferous | tending to induce sleep;
Traditional use: Traditionally used for debility, nervous exhaustion, convalescence, and as a general tonic; and for memory enhancement.