What is Ashwagandha?

The first thing you need to know about ashwagandha is that it goes by many names. Ashwagandha’s scientific Latin name is Withania somnifera and is often referred to by the name of “Winter Cherry” or “Indian Winter Cherry” and commonly known by herbalists as “Indian Ginseng.” Ashwagandha is a well-known and highly revered medicinal plant well known within the Ayurvedic community and in India, having been utilized for its medicinal properties for upwards of 3,000 years. Ashwagandha is a perennial plant and its scientific name translates in Latin, Withania meaning “horse” in reference to the root’s horse-like smell and somnifera meaning “sleep-inducing” referring to its inferred sedative-like qualities. According to Bharti et al. (2016) this evergreen, straight, tomentose shrub with simple leaves and green or dull yellow flowers and small orange-red rounded berries, has been most commonly and historically utilized for the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, adaptogen, aphrodisiac, and liver tonic purposes. 

The pharmacological and medicinal benefits are what has drawn individuals and indigenous cultures to this “power of the horse” plant, containing in its roots upwards of “35 chemical constituents” (Bharti et al., 2016, p. 718). “Alkaloids [], steroidal lactones [], saponins containing an additional acyl group [], and withanolides with a glucose at carbon 27 []” make up the biologically active chemical components of ashwagandha in addition to the plant being “rich in iron” (Bharti et al., 2016, p. 718). The stars of this Winter Cherry’s show and the key medicinal prowess ashwagandha has is believed to stem from the roots primary resident the withanolides (Bharti et al., 2016). The withanolides are steroidal and actively act like the active components in Panax ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng (Bharti et al., 2016). These stellar withanolides within ashwagandha have been researched in various animal studies to explore and understand its effect on conditions, including but not limited to, immune systematic function and cancer (Bharti et al., 2016). The primary withanolides providing the most to Withania are withanolide A and withanolide D (Bharti et al., 2016). Key components within Withania somnifera (WS) contain significant antistress agents. Withania somnifera produces biological actions that are “anxiolytic, antidepressant, antifungal, antimicrobial, antimalarial, apoptotic, chondroprotective, immunomodulator, and neuroprotective, promote inhibition of COX-2 enzyme, and promote learning and memory in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) (Bharti et al., 2016, p. 719).” 

The roots, leaves and seeds of ashwagandha each contain their own unique effects and medicinal benefits. Withania somnifera roots are sleep-inducing, “thermogenic, stimulant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, and tonic” (Bharti et al., 2016, p. 723). As you move up the plant to its leaves you will find the “antibiotic, antitumorous, antihepatotoxic, and anti-inflammatory” components with the seeds hosting “milk-coagulating, hypnotic, and diuretic properties''(Bharti et al., 2016, p. 723). Humans are able to use this herb singularly, in combination with multiple herbs, or along with herbs paired with mineral combinations. The appropriate and generally “expected to be safe and nontoxic” human daily dosage of ashwagandha is within “the range of 4-6 g/day” (Bharti et al., 2016, p. 723).

The knowledge of an appropriate and safe dosage range of this medicinal plant allows us to continue to learn and explore what evidence-based scientific research and indigenous medicinal practices can teach us regarding the potential health benefits of ashwagandha. A major area of use and benefit from ashwagandha includes its “potent anti stressor effect” which is recorded to reduce and ameliorate “stress-induced changes” within the body, such as reducing the stress effect on cardiovascular health and functions within our bodies (Bharti et al., 2016, p. 723). Withania somnifera has been recommended with the use of its roots and leaves as biologically active processes that has the potential to provide functional medicinal benefits, as well as, potential treatment of a variety of ailments (Bharti et al., 2016). Withania somnifera has the potential to provide “antiarthritic, antibacterial, antistress, antitumoral, and anticancer activities” and recommended for treatment of “poly-arthritis [], rheumatoid arthritis [], lumbago [], painful swellings [], spermatorrhea [], asthma [], leucoderma [], general debility [], sexual debility [], amnesia [], anxiety neurosis [], scabies [], ulcers [], marasmus [], and leucorrhea []” (Bharti et al., 2016, p. 723). There have been consistent and continual animal and emerging human studies exploring the biological activity and health benefits of ashwagandha that are teaching us increasingly more about how this plant can aid in balancing our bodies or aid in our healing processes. 

Ashwagandha is an incredible adaptogenic and medicinal plant that is continuing to show its healing powers to its beneficiaries. Ashwagandha is now recognized as a plant by both ancient medicinal practices of the East and in modern day Western medicine that can aid a wide variety of health conditions as well as day-to-day function. Explore the vast benefits of the incredible plant called Ashwagandha to discover how it can enhance your life today. 

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