Botanical Name: Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal

Family: Solanaceae

Identification No: SDACH/HG/002

Introduction: Asvagandha root juice is given as Nasya to achieve conception. Now a days scientists believe that  the cultivated variety of withania have different than naturally occurring.

English: Winter Cherry Hindi: Asgandha,punir

Kannada: Viremaddinagaddi, kiremallinagida Malayalam: Amukkuram

Sanskrit: Asvagandha,varahakarni Tamil: Amukkira, amukkirakkilangu

Telugu: Vajigandha,pannirugadda,pulivendramu

Synonyms:

“वाजिगन्धा वराहकर्णी बलदा कुष्ठगन्धिनी।” 

Hayagandhaa, Ashwakanda, Gandharvagandhaa, Turaga, Turagagandhaa, Turangagandhaa, Vaajigandhaa, Gokarnaa, Vrishaa, Varaahakarni, Varadaa, Balyaa, Vaajikari.

Withania ashwagandha Kaul (cultivated var.)

Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal (Chemotype I, II, III: Israele.)

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata:

Charaka: Brmhaniya, Madhuraskandha

Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)

1. W. somnifera
2. W. coagulans.
3. Nagori
4. WS-27-7 – cultivated
5. WS-23-55- cultivated
6. WS – 10 – 28- cultivated

Morphology:

It is a under shrub, erect stem, 0.5-2 m high. Clothed with minute hairy tomentum.

Leaves—simple, alternate, entire, ovate up to 10 cm long. subacute;

Flowers— axillary, sessile or shortly pedicled, fascicled or solitary, hermaphrodite; calyx campanulate, acutely 5-6-toothed, fruit-calyx inflated, larger than the berry; corolla campanulate, 3-6 lobed, short, greenish or lurid yellow; stamens attached at the base of corolla.

Fruits— berries, globose. Seeds— many, discoid.

Habitat  & Distribution:

Cultivated, dry places.

Chemical constituents:

withananine, withananinine, pseudo-withanine, somnine, somniferine, somniferinine, Withaferin, withanone, somnirol, nicotine withanone, withanolide WS-1, withanolide A to Y; somnirol, somnitol; withasomniferin A, nicotine, preudotropine tropine, solasodifle, withasomnifle, sitoindosides VII-X, sominone, sominolide

Properties:

Rasa : Katu,Tikta,kashaya Guna : Laghu, snighta Virya : Usna

Vipãka : Katu

Karma: Kapha-vãtahara,  Sukrakara, Rasayana, Balya anti-inflammatory, Hepatoprotective, antibacteria , sedative, hypnotic,diuretic, Antibacterial, antitumour, aphrodisiac

Srotogamitva:

Dosha : vatha hara

Dhatu :meda, sukra

Mala : mutrala

Organ : testis

Indication:

Sopha, Svitra, Ksaya, Jvara, Chardi, Kustha, Kandu, Krmi, Sonitha sukla, Leucoderma, Insomnia, Nerve Disorder, Ulcer, Constipation, Insomnia

Part used: Root, leaves

Dosage:

Leaf juice 10-15 ml

Powder 2-4 g

Decoction 50-100 ml

External uses: It reduces oedema and pain, that is why leaves or root paste is applied on enlarged cervical glands or swelling of other glands. In vata diseases and weakness, oil massage is done. The juice of ashwagandha leaves is used as eardrops in ear discharge.

Internal uses:

Nervous system: As it is a sedative and nervine tonic, it helps in atonic nerves, fainting, giddiness and insomnia.

Digestive system : The bark powder is appetizer. carminative and anthelmintic and hence is used in abdominal pain, constipation and worms.

Circulatory system: It has an effect on the heart, purifies the blood and reduces oedema. So it is used for the weakness of heart, blood disorders and oedema. Its decoction is used in rheumatoid arthritis.

Respiratory system : It is an expectorant and has antiasthmatic property due to which it is useful in cough. Ashwagandha ash along with ghee and honey is effective in asthma, If phlegm is thin, it is used in the form of ash or its alkaline extract is used. Decoction of bark should be given in low dose for cough and asthma. It is also used as a tonic in the above conditions.

Reproductive system : Ashwagandha is well known for its aphrodisiac property. It is used in semen disorders and leucorrhoea caused due to endometritis. A mixture of 5 g. of ashwagandha powder +  10 gms of ghee + 250 ml milk + sugar is a good tonic, nutritious and also aphrodisiac. It completely cures puerperal backache.

Urinary system: It is diuretic and so used in oliguria or anurea. It is used to strengthen meda dhatu.

Skin: It is used in vitiligo and other skin diseases, blisters heal when black ashes ‘of the roots are applied on them.

Important Yogas or Formulations:

Ashwagandhadi churna, Ashwagandha rasayana, Ashwagandharishta, Maharasanadi, Sukumarghrut, Saubhagyasunthipak

Amayika Prayoga (Therapeutic Uses) :

External:

– Paste for joint pain and inflammation. 

– Oil for muscle relaxation (Ashwagandha Taila). 

Internal: 

– Powder (1-3g) with milk for strength. 

– Decoction for stress and fatigue. 

IUCN Status 

Least Concern (Widely cultivated, not endangered) 

Research Updates (Past 5 Years)

1. 2021: Study in Journal of Ethnopharmacology confirmed Ashwagandha’s efficacy in reducing cortisol (stress hormone). 

2. 2022: Frontiers in Pharmacology reported improved testosterone levels in men. 

3. 2023: Clinical trial in Ayurveda Journal showed benefits in anxiety and sleep disorders.