Ashwagandha is a short perennial shrub growing 1-2.5 feet tall. It has been traditionally used in Indian medicine and while ghost editors of Wikipedia remove any attempt at referencing these studies and state “insufficient evidence that it has any medicinal effects” this is in blatant disregard of positive evidence of its many health benefits. So we will discuss and reference these studies.

Ashwagandha is also known as Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry and Poison Gooseberry.

About Ashwagandha – Withania Somnifera

This herb is in a class of herbs called Adaptogens. Adaptogens have been used in Chinese, Indian and Ayurvedic medicine. They work by resisting stress from physical, chemical and biological sources. Each Adaptogen works in a slightly different way, some are more targeted at regulating and restoring normal hormonal function, others work to restore a healthy immune system.

The purpose of Adaptogenic herbs is to bring the body into harmony, back to where it belongs. According to a research article published in the National Institutes of Health, this amazing herb can treat Anxiolytic(Anxiety), Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It was shown to “significant” protection against stress-induced gastric ulcers and has a cognitive promoting effect as well as being useful in children with memory deficit. It is anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic and was found useful in clinical cases of Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis.^[1]An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda 

The name Ashwagandha means “smells like a horse” in Sanskrit and is said to give the power of a horse. And it does indeed have a potent smell.  It is native to the drier regions of India, Australia (possibly brought originally from Asia), Eastern Asia and Africa.

Botanical Names

Withania Somnifera

Common names: Ashwagandha, Indian Ginseng, Poison Gooseberry, Winter Cherry

Family: Solanaceae (nightshade)

Historical Use

Indian Ayurvedic

Ashwagandha has been used for 4000-6000 years and is one of the most important herbs of Ayurvedic medicine. Rasayana, which is said to improve longevity, memory, intelligence and youthful health contains Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Shatavari among other herbs.  This preparation is traditionally given to small children as a tonic and to adults to increase longevity.  It is believed to create a mental state of happiness and improve overall health.

It is often available as Churna which is a fine powder mixed with either water or honey.

The tender shoots are consumed as a vegetable as we would eat green beans or carrots.

Africa

In Tanzania, the root is used as a sexual stimulant as well as to promote uterine function. The Maasai people of Northern Tanzania and Kenya used the leaves combined with warm castor oil to expel worms and parasites. The freshly crushed berries were also used against ringworm as a specific.  They made a juice from the leaves for the treatment of Conjunctivitis.

Medicinal Use

Breast Cancer

Ashwagandha was shown to have anti-metastatic efficacy in breast cancer. at a dose of 4mg, it was shown to inhibit both metastasis and tumor growth. The study concluded, after a lengthy analysis, that Ashwagandha extract “is a potent breast cancer anti‐metastatic agent and the anti‐metastatic activity of WFA is, at least in part, mediated through its effects on vimentin and vimentin ser56 phosphorylation”^[2]Withaferin A inhibits breast cancer invasion and metastasis at sub‐cytotoxic doses by inducing vimentin disassembly and serine 56 phosphorylation

Contraindications & Side Effects

 

Plant Properties and Nutrition

Nutritional Info

Preparations and Formulas

Rasayana