Ashwagandha Root

Ashwagandha Root

Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, and winter cherry, has been an important herb in the Ayurvedic and indigenous medical systems for over 3000 years. The plant has been used as an aphrodisiac, liver tonic, anti-inflammatory agent, astringent, and more recently to treat bronchitis, asthma, ulcers, emaciation, insomnia, and senile dementia. Clinical trials and animal research support the use of Ashwaganda for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders, inflammation and Parkinson's disease.

Common Name : Ashwagandha

Plant Parts Used : Roots, Leaves and Seeds

Description of Withania Somnifera :

A branched erect shrub, 0.3-1.5 m. Leaves 5-10 x 2.5-5 cm and ovate. Flowers greenish or lurid yellow, about 5 together in an umbellate cyme.

Characteristics and Constituents :

The roots contain choline, tropanol, pseudotropanol,cuscohygrene, 3-tigloyloxytropane, isopelletierine, anaferine and anahygrine. Withasomnine also has been isolated from the roots. The roots also have been reported to contain withaferin A and several other steroidal lactones including pharmacologically active with- anolides. These were also isolated as minor constituents of the leaves.

Actions and Uses :

Acetone soluble alkaloid fraction of the roots showed C.N.S. depressant effect in dogs, albino rats and mice. Convulsions produced by metrazol were exacerbated in rats but the animals were protected against supraorbital electroshock seizures. It produced hypnosis in mice. Potentiation of barbiturate, ethanol and urethane- induced hypnosis were observed in mice.

The extract is derived form the roots of Withania somnifera belonging to family Solanaceae. It is commonly known as Ashwagandha which indicates the equine (of horses) odor of the plant. Its main use, as described in Ayurvedic literature, is as a "rasayana" or rejuvenating drug and hence also traditionally known as Avarada which suggests the application of this plant for enhancing longevity. Withania somnifera is one of the best known and most researched Ayurvedic herbs and holds a place in the Ayurvedic traditions similar to Ginseng in Chinese therapies. For that reason, Withania somnifera has been often referred to as the "Indian Ginseng". Withania somnifera is used in several indigenous drug preparations for maintaining health as well as treatment of several disease conditions. Its main use is as an immunomodulator and as an antistress. Withania contains number of phytoconstituents, withanolides as the major constituent.