Aswagandha

By Dr. Subin Balakrishnan
Botanical Name: Withania Somnifera
Family: Solanaceae
English name: Indian ginseng, Winter cherry

The species name somnifera means "sleep-inducing" indicating its sedating properties, it has been also used for sexual vitality and as an adaptogen. Some herbalists refer to ashwagandha as Indian ginseng, since it is used in ayurvedic medicine in a way similar to that ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Major Chemical constituents: Whitaferin A, Withanone, Withanolide WS1, Withanolie A to Y, Tropine, Solasodine, Withasomnine, Sitoindosides VII to X, Sominolide etc

Indications:
Oedema, leucoderma, UTI, general debility, Alzheimer’s disease, carbuncles, consumption, HIV support, memory loss, MS, osteo-arthritis, pthysis, insomnia, tumour, infertility, spermatorrhea, loss of strength, lack of sexual drive, erectile dysfunction etc.

Aswagandha Root (Dry)
Research:
1)In a double blind study, shade dried roots of the plant (as 500mg tabs 2-3 times daily) is given with milk to healthy volunteers for 1 year. Results showed significant increase in Hb%, RBC, hair melanin in the treated group compared to control group.

2)In a reported study, Aswagandha was given to 30 mental patients suffering from anxiety neurosis in doses of 40 ml/day. (in two equally divided doses.) for one month. At the end of the month, most of the anxiety disorders, panic attacks and similar mood phobias, had disappeared.

3)In trials by American psychiatrists, this herb had been found useful for the treatment of manic depression, alcoholic paranoia, and schizophrenia.

4)Immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive activity are established.

5)The anti-tumor activity of Aswagandha is reported by Amala Cancer Research Institute, Kerala, India.

Therapeutic uses

Insomnia:  Powder of Aswagandha shall be taken with ghee and sugar.
Urinary Tract Infections:  It is a good Uterine anti-inflammatory, decoction of asvagandha will be a useful remedy.

Root powder in 3 to 5 gram doses is given in general debility, rheumatic affections, dyspepsia, consumption, loss of appetite, cough and dropsy and used as stimulant, alterative, tonic, aphrodisiac, narcotic and deobstruent.

It is a good health restorative for aged persons and can be used freely in Senile debility.

Aswaganha is also used as an Antioxidant & Free Radical Scavenger.

Half to one drachm of the root given with milk or ghee is orally recommended to act as an aphrodisiac that has many side benefits and ‘can be used as a long term suppliment’.

The dose of 5 to 7 grams of powdered roots with sugar candy is internally prescribed twice a day with milk or suitable adjuvants in case of leucorrhoea, bloody discharge or uterine haemorrhage in menstural complaints of uterus ,as the roots are quite effective for tonning up uterus and helping conception process.

The roots are useful as heart-tonic and given in cardiac diseases specially for tonning up heart; it is used in blood diseases and oedema.

Leaves are used as an antihelminthic i.e. to kill the worms in intestines.

The fresh roots are boiled in milk, prior to drying, in order to leach out undesirable constituents.
The drug is very useful in various disease of children,males and females and one of the predominant herbal drug in Indian Medicine.

Therapeutic Presentations:
The capsules Male Shakti, is an excellent medicine containing Aswagandha as a major ingredient and is bound to promote male stamina and vitality as well as increase the semen volume and quality. 

Immune Support Rasayana is another excellent medicine containing the goodness of Aswagandha. It is indicated for stronger immune system, better digestion, better metabolism, lymph glad cleansing, blood cleansing, better circulation, comon cold reduction, acne reduction, infection reduction.

Aswagandha Capsules are known for its ability to rejuvenate the whole body and mind, particularly the muscles, bone marrow and semen.  It is also indicated in all conditions of stress and those suffering from overwork, lack of sleep or nervous exhaustion.