Ashwagandha plant

This plant has medium severity poison characteristics. Description Withania somnifera is a small shrub or herb grown as an annual in zones colder than 8 but inits native habitat it grows as a ground covering perennial. The native habitats include open and disturbed areas. It plays a similar role as ginseng in China, leading to one of its common names, Indian Ginseng. It does well in pots and can be grown from seed planting them 2 centimeters deep once the air temperature is above 70 degrees F. Place them in an area of your garden that gets full sun and has good draining, slightly alkaline sandy soil. Water the plant only when the soil drys out as it does not like wet feet. When grown from seed, it will flower and fruit in its first year. In cooler climates it will need to be brought indoors. Short, fine, silver/gray branched hairs cover most of the plant. Its alternate leaves are opposite the flowering shoots. The leaves as well as the roots have a distinct odor. The roots have a strong smell which as been described as having the odor of green tomatoes. The leaves can smell similar to a horses sweat. They are also used to produce an insect repellent. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:If eaten, this plant is toxic. It can cause dependence and decrease effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs. Stem and root rot can effect this plant. It cannot grow in the shade. See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties: Tags: • Attributes: Genus: Withania Sp...

INTRODUCTION Ashwagandha is one of the most revered plants in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India. It is an erect, greyish, subshrub with inconspicuous yellow or greenish flowers followed by small, spherical, orangish-red berries containing yellow, kidney-shaped seeds. It grows three-to-five feet tall, mainly on waste land, but is cultivated widely as the whole plant; most commonly the root and leaf are used medicinally. 1,2 The species is widely distributed in the northwestern Indian states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and the Punjab plains extending to the mountainous regions of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. 3 It also is cultivated in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. 4 Northwest of India, its habitat extends into the Pakistani provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan, and on into Afghanistan. To the southeast of India, it occurs in Sri Lanka. 5 In China, it is reported to grow in the western provinces of Gansu and Yunnan. 6 HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE The species name, somnifera, refers to ashwagandha’s use as a sedative. 1 The common name comes from the Sanskrit ashvagandha, 2,7 i.e., ashwa for horse, and gandha for smell, hence the common idea that the name means “smells like a horse.” The Ayurvedic health practitioner Vaidya R. K. Mishra states that the translation can be taken literally, or that it could be interpreted to mean “horse essence” and that ashwagandha provides the strength, character, essence, or stamina of a ...

Potential benefits of ashwagandha include better athletic performance and sleep. Some research suggests this herb may help people with conditions like anxiety and infertility, but stronger studies are needed. Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, which is a traditional form of alternative medicine based on Indian principles of natural healing. People “Ashwagandha” is Sanskrit for “smell of the horse,” which Under expert guidance I'm not a big fan of taking Ashwagandha in supplement form without the support of other herbs and someone knowledgeable to determine what herbs those should be. It’s pretty rare in Ayurveda that a single herb by itself is prescribed. I currently take it every morning with milk in an herbal mixture from Paavani Ayurveda. It contains a spice blend as well as another Ayurvedic herb known for supporting female reproductive health, Shatavari. I also take Ashwagandha in another herbal mixture I drink three times a day in water that also contains Brahmi and a blend of other herbs. This was given to me by an Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician for nervous system and brain health support. Was this helpful? Its botanical name is Withania somnifera, and it’s also known by several other names, including “Indian ginseng” and “winter cherry.” The ashwagandha plant is a small shrub with yellow flowers that’s native to India and Southeast Asia. People use extracts or powder from the plant’s root or leaves Here are 9 potential benefits of ash...

Withania somnifera) has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years as a In this article: • • • • • • What’s in a Name? A fun fact about this beloved Ayurvedic herb is that the Sanskrit word “ashwagandha” translates as “the smell of a horse,” ( ashwa—horse, gandha—smell), which refers to its ability to bring you the strength and stamina of a horse while nourishing the female and male reproductive and nervous systems. Its botanical name, Withania somnifera, also tells us something about this herb: somnifera translates as “sleep-inducing,” reflecting its relaxing and calming properties that bring us energy by supporting deeper rest. Ashwagandha has other names as well. It is often called “winter cherry,” referring to its small, red berry fruit that looks like a tiny cherry tomato. Ashwagandha belongs to the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family—the same family as tomatoes and potatoes. Another common name is “Indian ginseng,” though it is not related to the ginseng family and most likely gets this name in reference to its energy promoting qualities. Ashwagandha plants are native to India, northern Africa, and the Middle East, but they can now be cultivated in temperate climates around the world, including in the United States. We even grew some at our Southern Oregon project farm! Interestingly, ashwagandha’s adaptogenic properties and its ability to help the body adapt to stress is reflected in the fact that the plant thrives in arid conditions and in poor quality, alkaline so...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. They’ve probably told you that it can do just about everything including make you dinner and put the kids to bed. But if you’re skeptical about herbal medicine, you probably haven’t considered looking into ashwagandha. That’s OK. We’re going to do the legwork for you. With the help of integrative medicine specialist What is ashwagandha? Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera), also known as “Indian Winter cherry” or Indian Ginseng,” is an evergreen shrub that’s found in India, Africa and parts of the Middle East. So what is ashwagandha good for? “Ashwagandha has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to increase energy, improve overall health and reduce inflammation, pain and anxiety,” says Dr. Lin. She adds that Ayurvedic medicine is the traditional medicine system in India. It’s a healing tradition that uses nutrition, exercise, mindfulness practices and herbs to promote balance between the body, mind, spirit and the environment. Ashwagandha seems to fit the bill for those who prefer herbal medicines for several reasons. Modern life is full of stress triggers. And that stress contributes to physical and mental illness. During stressful moments, the “Unfortunately, when a threat is chronic — whether it’s stress from finances or work — the stressful response also becomes chronic,” says Dr. Lin. “Over time, long-te...

Ashwagandha contains chemicals that might help calm the Since ashwagandha is traditionally used as an adaptogen, it is used for many conditions related to stress. Adaptogens are believed to help the body resist physical and mental stress. Some of the conditions it is used for include Don't confuse ashwagandha with Physalis alkekengi. Both are known as winter cherry. Also, don't confuse ashwagandha with American ginseng, Panax ginseng, or eleuthero. When taken by mouth: Ashwagandha is possibly safe when used for up to 3 months. The long-term safety of ashwagandha is not known. Large doses of ashwagandha might cause When applied to the Pregnancy: It is likely unsafe to use ashwagandha when pregnant. There is some evidence that ashwagandha might cause Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ashwagandha is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. "Auto-immune diseases" such as Surgery: Ashwagandha may slow down the Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination• Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with ASHWAGANDHA Ashwagandha can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking ashwagandha along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications. • Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with ASHWAGANDHA Ashwagandha might cause sleepiness and slo...

The recommended dosage for ashwagandha can vary depending on your needs, but most research suggests that taking 250–500 milligrams (mg) per day for at least 1 month may be beneficial. Ashwagandha, also known by its botanical name Withania somnifera, is a small woody plant with yellow flowers native to India and North Africa. It’s classified as an The plant — particularly its root — has been used for over 3,000 years as a natural Ayurvedic remedy against various ailments ( Modern science also links it to health benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety and improved blood sugar levels, mood, and memory. This article reviews the optimal dosages needed to reap different health benefits. Ashwagandha is best known for its stress-lowering effects. The medicinal herb appears to help lower levels of More specifically, daily doses of 225–600 mg for 1–2 months have been shown to significantly lower cortisol levels ( Moreover, one review reported that taking at least 600 mg of ashwagandha per day for 8 weeks could Summary Ashwagandha seems effective at lowering symptoms of stress and anxiety. Most benefits are linked to dosages of 225–600 mg per day taken for 1–2 months. Ashwagandha may also In one 2013 study in 25 people, ashwagandha reduced fasting blood sugar levels three times more than a placebo after 4 weeks ( In another older study in people with type 2 diabetes, an ashwagandha supplement taken for 30 days helped lower fasting blood sugar levels as effectively as oral diabet...

This plant has medium severity poison characteristics. Description Withania somnifera is a small shrub or herb grown as an annual in zones colder than 8 but inits native habitat it grows as a ground covering perennial. The native habitats include open and disturbed areas. It plays a similar role as ginseng in China, leading to one of its common names, Indian Ginseng. It does well in pots and can be grown from seed planting them 2 centimeters deep once the air temperature is above 70 degrees F. Place them in an area of your garden that gets full sun and has good draining, slightly alkaline sandy soil. Water the plant only when the soil drys out as it does not like wet feet. When grown from seed, it will flower and fruit in its first year. In cooler climates it will need to be brought indoors. Short, fine, silver/gray branched hairs cover most of the plant. Its alternate leaves are opposite the flowering shoots. The leaves as well as the roots have a distinct odor. The roots have a strong smell which as been described as having the odor of green tomatoes. The leaves can smell similar to a horses sweat. They are also used to produce an insect repellent. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:If eaten, this plant is toxic. It can cause dependence and decrease effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs. Stem and root rot can effect this plant. It cannot grow in the shade. See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties: Tags: • Attributes: Genus: Withania Sp...

The recommended dosage for ashwagandha can vary depending on your needs, but most research suggests that taking 250–500 milligrams (mg) per day for at least 1 month may be beneficial. Ashwagandha, also known by its botanical name Withania somnifera, is a small woody plant with yellow flowers native to India and North Africa. It’s classified as an The plant — particularly its root — has been used for over 3,000 years as a natural Ayurvedic remedy against various ailments ( Modern science also links it to health benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety and improved blood sugar levels, mood, and memory. This article reviews the optimal dosages needed to reap different health benefits. Ashwagandha is best known for its stress-lowering effects. The medicinal herb appears to help lower levels of More specifically, daily doses of 225–600 mg for 1–2 months have been shown to significantly lower cortisol levels ( Moreover, one review reported that taking at least 600 mg of ashwagandha per day for 8 weeks could Summary Ashwagandha seems effective at lowering symptoms of stress and anxiety. Most benefits are linked to dosages of 225–600 mg per day taken for 1–2 months. Ashwagandha may also In one 2013 study in 25 people, ashwagandha reduced fasting blood sugar levels three times more than a placebo after 4 weeks ( In another older study in people with type 2 diabetes, an ashwagandha supplement taken for 30 days helped lower fasting blood sugar levels as effectively as oral diabet...

Ashwagandha contains chemicals that might help calm the Since ashwagandha is traditionally used as an adaptogen, it is used for many conditions related to stress. Adaptogens are believed to help the body resist physical and mental stress. Some of the conditions it is used for include Don't confuse ashwagandha with Physalis alkekengi. Both are known as winter cherry. Also, don't confuse ashwagandha with American ginseng, Panax ginseng, or eleuthero. When taken by mouth: Ashwagandha is possibly safe when used for up to 3 months. The long-term safety of ashwagandha is not known. Large doses of ashwagandha might cause When applied to the Pregnancy: It is likely unsafe to use ashwagandha when pregnant. There is some evidence that ashwagandha might cause Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ashwagandha is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. "Auto-immune diseases" such as Surgery: Ashwagandha may slow down the Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination• Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with ASHWAGANDHA Ashwagandha can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking ashwagandha along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications. • Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with ASHWAGANDHA Ashwagandha might cause sleepiness and slo...