Getting to Know Herbs: Ashwagandha

in #gardening6 years ago (edited)

An important plant in Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha is used s an adaptogen to treat stress-related issues like insomnia and nervous fatigue. The roots are harvested int he fall and used to make an herbal extract.


Photo by @krnel

The scientific botanical name is Withania somnifera, and also commonly called Indian ginseng. Other names are Ajagandha, Amangura, Amukkirag, Asan, Asana, Asgand, Asgandh, Asgandha, Ashagandha, Ashvagandha, Ashwanga, Asoda, Asundha, Asvagandha, Aswagandha, Avarada, Ayurvedic Ginseng, Cerise d'Hiver, Clustered Wintercherry, Ghoda Asoda, Ginseng Ayurvédique, Ginseng Indien, Hayahvaya, Indian Ginseng, Kanaje Hindi, Kuthmithi, Orovale, Peyette, Physalis somnifera, Samm Al Ferakh, Samm Al Rerakh, Sogade-Beru, Strychnos, Turangi-Ghanda, Vajigandha, Winter Cherry, Withania.


Photo by @krnel


wikimedia/Wowbobwow12 - CC BY-SA 3.0

Key Points

  • long traditional Indian Ayurvedic medical use
  • used for a wide variety of treatments, most notably for stress and sleep-inducing
  • found in much of Asia, Europe and Africa
  • not edible for food

History

The second part of the scientific name, the Latin somnifera, means "sleep-inducing". The name ashwagandha is from ashwa meaning horse, and gandha meaning smell, as the root has a strong horse-like smell.

Where is it found?

Cultivated in drier regions of India, it's also found in Nepal, China and Yemen, into Mediterranean Europe and most of Africa. It grows in open and disturbed area, and as an undershrub in stony places.

It was never introduced to North America, but you can grow it here nonetheless, as the herb garden did where I took the pictures.

What's it used for?

The root has long been turned into a powder and used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda. The berry is also used. There are many uses, but not proven scientifically to be effective yet.

Ashwagandha is used for arthritis, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), balance, obsessive-compulsive dirorder (OCD), trouble sleeping (insomnia), tumors, tuberculosis, asthma, a skin condition marked by white patchiness (leukoderma), bronchitis, backache, fibromyalgia, menstrual problems, hiccups, Parkinson's disease, and chronic liver disease.

Medication side effect are said to be reduced with ashwagandha, like those to treat cancer and schizophrenia. Some people have used it to improve thinking, calm the brain, lowerblood pressure, decrease pain and inflammation, and prevent aging. It's said to increase sexual desire and aid with fertility problems in men and women.

The fruits are rich in saponins which can be used as a soap. The leaves are insect repellent. The seeds can be used as a curdling agent for making vegetarian cheeses from plant milks.

Are there any risks?

Short-term use is possibly safe, and large doses might cause upset stomach, diarrhea or vomiting.

Pregnant women should avoid, as it might cause miscarriages. Breast-feeing women should probably avoid it to be on the safe side.

Since it might lower blood sugar levels, diabetics should be cautious in using in order to avoid blood sugar levels going too low. Blood pressure might be affected, so those who take medications for high blood pressure might have blood pressure that becomes too low. Since it can irritate the stomach, those with ulcers should avoid it too.

Ashwagandha might increase activity of the immune system, leading to an increase of symptoms for those with autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions.

It might also slow down the central nervous system and affect anesthesia, so avoid it 2 weeks prior to surgery. Those with thyroid disorders should avoid as well since it might increase thyroid hormone levels.

Medications that affect the thyroid, sedative that cause sleepiness, or decrease the immune system can be affected by using ashwagandha. Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others. Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.


References:


Previous posts on Getting to Know Herbs:


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Nice information! I have seen that this plant's root is mostly used in India for the purpose of treating impotency and increasing sexual power. I think sex has overshadowed everything else in this world.

LOL, I agree on that statement, that sex has become too much of a concern that overrides much else... part of the pleasure trap.

Love the series. You're building quite the compendium of herbs. And congratulations! This post is featured in the nunesso's Curation post for the Nutrition and Natural Products industry. You have received a 100% upvote from us. We've shared some exciting news for the nutrition and natural products industry on Steem. Be sure to follow us for more updates coming soon.

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Thanks, glad to provide value for you ;)

another fruit I have not seen before @krnel thanks mate , there are many fruit we don't know

What's so nice about it?

Ashwagandha and Ashwagandha medician are very helpful for health. Thanks for this amazing post.

Literally, the word ashwagandha in Sanskrit means the smell of horses. This is because the aroma of the root smells like a horse and is said, if someone consumes ashwagandha, can get strength and vitality like a horse.

Yup, that's mentioned above ;)

wow...this herb plants are amazing,if there are some of those plants here in the philippines it's very useful for me..

thanks for sharing this useful herb plats bro!


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