Description Of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Gana or Classification according to Ayurveda: Balya, Brahneya and Madhuraskanda.
Family: Solanaceae.
Botanical name: Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal.
Synonyms: Asgandha (Hindi), Ashwagandha, Avarohaka, Balya, Gokarna, Turangahva, Vajikari, Varada, Varahakarni, Vrsa (Sanskrit), Winter cherry (English).
Habitat: W. somnifera is found in India.
Morphology: W. somnifera is a perennial herb covered with hairs. It has tap root; stem is herbaceous above and woody below. Leaves are in unequal pairs; flowers are greenish or yellowish; fruit s berry becoming red on ripening.
Chemical composition: Alkaloids (anagrine, anaferine, cuscohygrine, hygrine, isopelletriene, …show more content…
Virya (Potency): Ushna (Hot).
Vipaka (Post digestion effect): Madhura (Sweet). Effect on Tridosha: Pacifies Vata and Kapha.
Karma (Specific action): Rasayana (Tonic).
Therapeutics: W. somnifera is used in the treatment of depression, hypertension, general debility, oligozoospermia, stress, premature ejaculation and leucorrhoea. In asthma, ash of W. somnifera is given with honey and vegetable oil.
Parts used: Root and leaves.
Dose: Powder (1-3G).
Formulations based on Ashwagandha: Ashwagandhadi churana and Ashwagandharistha.
Pharmacological investigations: 1. Begum VH Sadique J (1987) reported the anti-inflammatory activity of W. somnifera. Anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic fractions of the plant extract was comparable to that of hydrocortisone sodium succinate.
2. Mehta AK Binkley P Gandhi SS Ticku MK (1991) reported the antidepressant activity of a methanolic extract of W. somnifera.
3. Devi, Sharada, Solomon and Kamath (1992) reported the in vivo growth inhibitory effect of W. somnifera on a transplantable mouse tumor (Sarcoma 180).
4. Ziauddin, Phansalkar, Patki, et al (1996) reported immunomodulator activity of W.
Gana or Classification according to Ayurveda: Balya, Brahneya and Madhuraskanda.
Family: Solanaceae.
Botanical name: Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal.
Synonyms: Asgandha (Hindi), Ashwagandha, Avarohaka, Balya, Gokarna, Turangahva, Vajikari, Varada, Varahakarni, Vrsa (Sanskrit), Winter cherry (English).
Habitat: W. somnifera is found in India.
Morphology: W. somnifera is a perennial herb covered with hairs. It has tap root; stem is herbaceous above and woody below. Leaves are in unequal pairs; flowers are greenish or yellowish; fruit s berry becoming red on ripening.
Chemical composition: Alkaloids (anagrine, anaferine, cuscohygrine, hygrine, isopelletriene, …show more content…
Virya (Potency): Ushna (Hot).
Vipaka (Post digestion effect): Madhura (Sweet). Effect on Tridosha: Pacifies Vata and Kapha.
Karma (Specific action): Rasayana (Tonic).
Therapeutics: W. somnifera is used in the treatment of depression, hypertension, general debility, oligozoospermia, stress, premature ejaculation and leucorrhoea. In asthma, ash of W. somnifera is given with honey and vegetable oil.
Parts used: Root and leaves.
Dose: Powder (1-3G).
Formulations based on Ashwagandha: Ashwagandhadi churana and Ashwagandharistha.
Pharmacological investigations: 1. Begum VH Sadique J (1987) reported the anti-inflammatory activity of W. somnifera. Anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic fractions of the plant extract was comparable to that of hydrocortisone sodium succinate.
2. Mehta AK Binkley P Gandhi SS Ticku MK (1991) reported the antidepressant activity of a methanolic extract of W. somnifera.
3. Devi, Sharada, Solomon and Kamath (1992) reported the in vivo growth inhibitory effect of W. somnifera on a transplantable mouse tumor (Sarcoma 180).
4. Ziauddin, Phansalkar, Patki, et al (1996) reported immunomodulator activity of W.