Withania somnifera (Physalis flexuosa) or Indian Winter Cherry is a shrub growing to a maximum height of around five feet. It bears yellow flowers and red fruit. It grows wild in the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent but nowadays, it is cultivated due to its enormous commercial potential. It is called Ashwagandha (Ashwa – horse; gandha – smell) because its roots have a horse-like smell. The root of Ashwagandha contains chemicals like anahygrine, scopoletine, somniferinine, tropine, and anaferine, glycosides, withenolide, starches and amino acids. Alkaloids found in Ashwagandha are somniferine, somnine, somniferinine, withananine, pseudo-withanine, tropine, pseudo-tropine, 3-a-gloyloxytropane, cholineIts biochemical profile is very similar to Ginseng, cuscohygrine, isopelletierine, anaferine and anahydrine.
Ashwagandha - A Potent Adaptogen
Ashwagandha is a recognised adaptogen, i.e. it improves physical energy and athletic ability; it increases immunity to colds and infections and increases sexual capacity and fertility. It has been used by Native Americans and Africans for the treatment of inflammations and fevers. It is also known to improve memory and promote overall wellness. An important effect of Ashwagandha is its effects on tumors. It has been shown to considerably slow down tumor growth and can be used as an adjunct in tumor therapy.
Stress Buster
Ashwagandha is a known stress-buster. It has positive and calming effects on the endocrine, cardiovascular and central nervous systems. It is used to treat anxieties and insomnia. It has been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac. One of the reasons for this effect might be that Ashwagandha has cholesterol reducing activity and low cholesterol levels in men have been related to increased libido. The herb also has potent antioxidant activity. This property can be made use of in the treatment of disorders due to oxidative stresses.
Immunomodulant
Ashwagandha has been shown to increase white blood cell count thereby having a positive immunomodulatory effects. White blood cells are the soldiers of our body and an increase in their numbers is important for an effective immune response against invading microbes. It is also known as a heart and lung tonic and its regular intake controls blood pressure and regulates heartbeats.
Healer
Ashwagandha is an excellent anti-inflammatory drug with good healing capabilities. It reduces swelling and helps restore blood supply. It hastens the rate of wound and injury healing. It helps to relieve the feeling of numbness and burning sensations of extremities. It is also beneficial in leucorrhoea and in upper respiratory tract infections and asthma. It also increases muscular endurance and physical stamina.
Ashwagandha has effects very similar to testosterone. It was shown to exert spermatogenic effect on the semeniferous tubules in rats. Traditionally, it has been used in Ayurveda to increase sperm count. Ashwagandha is truly a miraculous herb with a wide variety of beneficial effects.
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