Botanical Name: Withania somnifera
Plant Family: Solanaceae
Common name: Ashwaghanda, Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry
Origin: It is found in the drier parts of subtropical India and also grows in some Middle-Eastern countries
History: Used in Ayurvedic Medicine in India
Plant Constituents
Contains:
- Alkaloids
- anaferine
- isopelietierine
- Saponins
- sitoindoside VII
- sitoindoside VIII
- Steroidal Lactones
- withaferins
- Withanolides
- sitoindoside IX
- sitoindoside X
- iron
Usage
Medicinal Parts Used: Root
Withania is used for:
Blood Conditions
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- nervous exhaustion and debility, especially due to stress
- tonic, rather than over-stimulating, for 'stressed out' people
Inflammatory Conditions
- chronic diseases which are inflammatory in nature, e.g. connective tissue diseases
Male Conditions
- impotence due to devitalization
Other
- convalescence after acute illness or extreme stress
- emaciation, especially in children
Good general tonic for disease prevention in:
- athletes
- elderly
- pregnancy
Action:
- adaptogen [normalizes physical functioning depending on what the individual needs, e.g. it will lower high blood pressure, but raise low blood pressure]
- anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
- anti-tumor (in high doses)
- nervine [an agent that has a calming or soothing effect on the nerves, any agent that acts on the nervous system to restore the nerves to their natural state]
- sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Precautions
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Withania without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:
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