Ashwagandha
All About Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a valued herb that has been used for centuries in Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Multiple human studies have thus been carried out related to its adaptogenic activities. It has shown to be useful in reducing stress, balancing hormones, helping with weight loss, improving energy levels, reducing arthritis pain, and more.
Fun Fact
Ashwagandha can be translated in Sanskrit to mean "the smell of a horse". Thankfully, the herb doesn't actually smell like a horse, but the name implies that it gives the strength of one!
Ashwagandha Research
Multiple human studies have been found on the use of ashwagandha. Research has demonstrated it may help with anxiety and other mental disorders, hypoglycemia and hypolipidemia, arthritis, thyroid issues, male fertility, menopausal symptoms in women, and athletic performance. More research is warranted. Click the button below for a detailed review of research.
Ashwagandha Blog Articles
Ashwagandha Herb
Latin Name: Withania somnifera
Family: Solanaceae
Other Names
- Other common names: Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, padalsingh, rajasthan, Indian Winter cherry
- Other Latin name: Physalis somnifera
- Not to be confused with: Withania coagulans or Physalis alkekengi (winter cherry)
Plant Description
Ashwagandha is a pungent nightshade bush growing to 30 inches tall with eliptical leaves up to 5 inches long and small yellow or green bell flowers, small red berries in a papery balloon calyx.
Herb Description
Roots, berries, and leaves have been used of this Chinese and Ayurvedic medicinal plant.
Key Constituents
- Alkaloids (isopelletierine,anaferine)
- Steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins)
- Saponins
- Withanolides
- Iron
