ashvagandha :
Taxonomical Classification
Kingdom: Plantae - Plants
Subkingdom: Streptophyta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta - Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Withania
Species: somnifera
VERNACULAR NAMES
Sanskrit: aswagandhaEnglish: winter cherry
Hindi: ashgandh
Urdu: asgandanagori
Telugu: penneru
Bengali: dhuppa
Marathi: askandha
Gujarathi: asod
Tamil: amukkura
Malayalam: amukkuram
Kannada: keramaddinagaddi
Arabic: hajarat el dib
Synonyms
Synonyms in Ayurveda: aswagandha, ashwagandha, ashvagandha, balada, gandhanta, vajinama, vajini, pushtida, punya, vataghni, balya, hayahya, vrusha, hayagandhaRasa: Kashaya Katu Tikta
Guna: Laghu Snigdha
Veerya: Ushna
Vipaka: Katu
Prabhava: Medhya
Karma: Hridya Krimighna Vatahara
Phytochemistry:
The methanol, hexane and diethyl ether extracts from both leaves and roots of Ashwagandha were found. Alkaloid percentage in roots ranges from 0.13 to 0.31%. The roots of Withania somnifera are alterative, aphrodisiac, deobstruent, diuretic, narcotic, sedative and restorative in nature. The pharmacological activity of the root is attributed to the alkaloids and steroidals lactones. The total alkaloid content in the roots of Indian types has been reported to vary between 0.13 and 0.3, though much high yields (up to 4.3 per cent) have been recorded elsewhere. Many bio-chemical heterogeneous alkaloids, including choline, tropanol, pseudotopanol, cuscokygrene, 3- tigioyloxytropana, isopelletierine and several other steroidal lactories. Twelve alkaloids, 35 withanolides and several sitoindosides have been isolated from the roots of the plant have been studied. A sitoindoside is a biologically active constituent known as withanolide containing a glucose molecule at carbon 27. Indian ginseng’s pharmacological activity has been attributed to two main withanolides, withaferin A and withanolide D. Withaferin-A is therapeutically active withanolide reported to be present in leaves. In addition to alkaloids, the roots are reported to contain starch, reducing sugars, glycosides, dulcitol, withancil, an acid and a neutral compound. The amino acids reported from the roots include aspartic acid, glycine, tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid and cysteine.PHARMACOLOGY:
The biochemical composition of Withania somnifera has been widely studied and researched. Some 35 compounds had been analyzed in the laboratory.Parts used for medicinal purpose
Flower, Heart wood (Kanda Sara), Leaves, ,Dosage:
Substitute:
Macas taste is arguably the most pleasant of all the ashwagandha substitutes; it is mildly nutty with a slight earthiness. Because its flavor is not as bitter as that of ashwagandha, some people may consider it a better option.Morphology:
It grows as a short shrub (35–75 cm) with a central stem from which branches extend radially in a star pattern (stellate) and covered with a dense matte of wooly hairs (tomentose). The flowers are small and green, while the ripe fruit is orange-red and has milk-coagulating properties. The plants long, brown, tuberous roots are used for medicinal purposes.Geographical distribution:
It is cultivated in various regions of India such as NEEMUCH, MANASA, JAWAD TEHSILS of the MANDSAUR district of Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan. It is also distributed in Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Sri Lanka, Mediterranean regions, the Canneries and Cape of Good Hope.aGeneral Use:
Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha (winter cherry), is an important medicinal plant that has been used in Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine for more than 3,000 years. Some herbalists refer to Ashwagandha as Indian ginseng. The plant extract has many bioactive compounds and thereby exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. The plant extract and its bioactive compounds are used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, such as arthritis, impotence, amnesia, anxiety, cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, and others.Ashwgandha has long been considered as an excellent rejuvenator, a general health tonic and a cure for a number of health complaints. It is a sedative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and generally respected for increasing energy, endurance, and acts as an-adaptogen that exerts a strong immunostimulatory and ananti-stress agent. Ashwagandha is taken for treating cold and coughs, ulcers, emaciation, diabetes, conjunctivitis, epilepsy, insomnia, senile dementia, leprosy, Parkinson’s disease, nervous disorders, rheumatism, arthritis, intestinal infections, bronchitis, asthma, impotence and a suppressant in HIV/AIDS patients. According to Indian Herbal System (Ayurveda), Ashwagandha is considered one of the most important herbs and the best adaptogenic. It contains constituents like cuseohygrine, anahygrine, tropine, and anaferine, glycosides, withenolide with starches and amino acid. Withanolide consists of steroidal molecules which is said to fight inflammation.Ashwagandha stimulates the immune system, combats inflammation, increases memory, and helps maintain general health and wellness. Ashwagandha is known to increase the production of bone marrow, semen, and acts anti-aging. Ashwagandha anti-tumor and antiinflammatory agents are approved in several studies. Its steroidal is much higher than that of hydrocortisone which is a common treatment in cancer cases. Diseases like TB, chronic upper respiratory diseases and HIV have been added to the list of Ashwagandha due to its strong immunostimulatory activity, and it is recognized as a blood tonic, especially in gynecological disorders including anemia and menorrhagiaTherapeutic Uses:
Medicinal valuesSystemic Use:
Ashwagandha benefits all parts of the body and can be used as a tonic or in oral form. Several studies have shown that Ashwagandha is useful in addressing the following health problems:Administration:
A paste of Ashwagandha leaves when applied on a local inflammation acts as anti-inflammatory. The herbal massage oil which includes Ashwagandha herb is useful in many conditions like paralysis, epilepsy, sleeplessness etc. The preparation of Ashwagandha which is processed with ghee, sugar and honey is a very good aphrodisiac and increases semen quantity, sperm count and mobility. It is effectively used in Erectile dysfunction, low libido and premature ejaculation. Ashwagandha churna when used regularly helps to improve the conditions like senile debility, rheumatism, in all cases of general debility, nervous exhaustion, brain-fag, low of memory, loss of muscular energy and spermatorrhoea. It increases body energy and vigor. It helps to rebuild the body system which is worn out due to chronic diseases like syphilis, rheumatism etc. It also replenishes the lowered energy of body due to over-work, mental exertion thus preventing early ageing. A good remedy to balance sweet cravings for vata can be prepared using Ashwagandha. Roast an ounce of Ashwagandha in ghee and add a tablespoon of date sugar. Store in a screw top glass jar in the refrigerator. This can be eaten in the morning about twenty minutes before breakfast, in the mid afternoon— if sweet cravings arise— and at bed time with a cup of hot milk. Ashwagandha when used regularly, is very useful in emaciated children. It increases body weight and body energy.Clinical trials:
- Author Correction: Drier Climatic Conditions Increase Withanolide Content of Withania coagulans Enhancing its Inhibitory Potential against Human Prostate Cancer Cells.Rehman S, et al. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2019
- Medical Plants and Nutraceuticals for Amyloid-β Fibrillation Inhibition.Witter S, et al. J Alzheimers Dis Rep. 2018
- Stress, inflammation and natural treatments.Theoharides TC, et al. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2018
- Biochemical, molecular, and elemental profiling of Withania somnifera L. with response to zinc stress.Rout JR, et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2018
- Identification and Functional Characterization of Anti-metastasis and Anti-angiogenic Activities of Triethylene Glycol Derivatives.Oh E, et al. Front Oncol. 2018
- RNAi of Sterol Methyl Transferase1 Reveals its Direct Role in Diverting Intermediates Towards Withanolide/ Phytosterol Biosynthesis in Withania somnifera.Pal S, et al. Plant Cell Physiol. 2018
- Drier Climatic Conditions Increase Withanolide Content of Withania coagulans Enhancing Its Inhibitory Potential Against Human Prostate Cancer Cells.Rehman S, et al. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2018
- Evidence of a PPARγ-mediated mechanism in the ability of Withania somnifera to attenuate tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of morphine.Caputi FF, et al. Pharmacol Res. 2018
- Withaferin A attenuates ovalbumin induced airway inflammation.Zhao HM, et al. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2019
- Novel molecular mechanisms for the adaptogenic effects of herbal extracts on isolated brain cells using systems biology.Panossian A, et al. Phytomedicine. 201
Research:
Ven Murthy MR, Ranjekar PK, Ramassamy C, Deshpande M.; (2010)Scientific basis for the use of Indian Ayurvedic medicinal plants in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders: Ashwagandha. Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. Sep 1;10 (3):238 - 246. 2. Sangwan RS, (2004)et al Phytochemical variability in commericial herbal products and preparations of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). Curr. Sci. 86:461–465. 3. Proff.K. Nishteswar, K.Hemadri, Dravyaguna Vijnana, Chaukhambha Samskrit Pratishthana, First edition , P-121. 4. Bone K. et al; Clinical applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs- Monographs for the Western Herbal Practitioner. Australia: Phytotherapy Press; 1996:137-141. 5. Anonymous, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India, part I and I vol I, Dept. of Ayush, Ministry of health & family welfare, New Delhi., 200. 6. Anonymous, The Ayurvedic formulary of India, Part 1, Dept. of Ayush, Ministry of health & family welfare, New Delhi., 2004. 7. Anonymous, Database on Indian medicinal plants CCRAS, New Delhi vol-3, P- 88. 8. Ibidem (11) and (12) The API and The AFI, 2003. 9. Elsakka M, E Grigoreseu, U Stanescu, V Dorneanu; New data referring to chemistry of Withania somnifera species, Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat lasi, 1990, 94(2) , 385-387. 10. C. P. Khare, Indian Medicinal Plants - An Illustrated Dictionary. ISBN: 978-0-387-70637-5 Springers edition. 2007-p.-717. 11. Anonymous, Database on medicinal plants used in Ayurveda. CCRAS, New Delhi vol-3, 2001 P- 88. 12. Santvani khyati et al - A preliminalry physicochemical assay of Ashwagandha granules–Apilot study. WWW.IJRAP.net, IJRAP-2011, 2(4) 1026-1032. 13. Anti-oxidant effect of Withania somnifera glycowithanolides in chronic footshock stress-induced perturbations of oxidative free radical scavenging enzymes and lipid peroxidation in rat frontal cortex and striatum. Journal of Ethanopharmacology. Volume 74, Issue 1, January 2001, Pages 1–6. 14. Russo. A.,Lzzo A. A. Cardile, V., Borrelli, G., Vanella, A., 2001. Indian medicinal plants as antiradicals and DNA cleavage protectors.Phytomedicine.2001Mar;8(2):125-32. 15. Bahr V. and Hansel R, Immunomodulating Properties of 5,20α(R) - Dihydroxy - 6α, 7α -epoxy-1-oxo-(5α)- with α- 2,24-dienolide and Solasodine. J. Meal. Plant Res. 1982; 44, 32-33. 16. Immune response modulation to DPT vaccine by aqueous extract of Withania somnifera in experimental system. International Immunopharmacology June 2004,4(6), 841–849. 17. Bahr V. and Hansel R, Immunomodulating Properties of 5,20α(R) - Dihydroxy - 6α, 7α -epoxy-1-oxo-(5αAyurvedic Formulations:
Common Ayurvedic Formulations of ashvagandha with their IndicationsAshwagandhadi Lehyam
Sukumaram Kashayam
Trichup Herbal Hair Pack Powder
- » Classification and names of ashvagandha
- » Synonyms and definitions of ashvagandha
- » Drug Properties of ashvagandha
- » Chemical Constituents of ashvagandha
- » Standardization of ashvagandha
- » Parts used and Dosage of ashvagandha
- » Morphology and Histology of ashvagandha
- » Distribution and Conservation of ashvagandha
- » Cultivation of ashvagandha
- » ashvagandha in the market
- » Medicinal Uses of ashvagandha
- » Researches and clinical trails of ashvagandha
- » ashvagandha in other sytems of medicine
- » Ayurvedic formulations with ashvagandha
- » Images of ashvagandha