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Ayurvedic
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Ashwagandha -
"Indian Ginseng" (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha (or “Indian Ginseng” as it is
sometimes called) is one of the most widely studied Indian herbs.
Ashwagandha has many significant benefits, but is best known for its
powerful adaptogenic properties, meaning that it helps mind and body
adapt better to stress. It nourishes the nerves and improves nerve
function to help you maintain calm during stressful situations.
It is also good for people who do physical labor or exercise a lot, to
help the body adapt to physical stress.
It is a powerful Rasayana, meaning that it acts as an overall tonic for
greater vitality and longevity.
It nourishes all the bodily tissues (Dhatus), including the joints and
nerves.
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Latin Name |
English Name |
Sanskrit Names |
Hindi Name |
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Withania
somnifera
Dunal
(Solanaceae) |
Winter
Cherry |
Ashvagandha,
Hayahvaya,
Vajigandha |
Asgandh |
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History |
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In Ayurveda,
Asvagandha, which means "smelling like a horse or
mare" in Sanskrit, was used as an aphrodisiac and
geriatric tonic and treatment of rheumatism, cough,
consumption, etc. The Greek physician
Theophrastus, described this
plant, which was recorded in the Arabic 'Kaknaj-el-manoum'.
Rheede called it 'peVetti'
and stated that a vulnerary ointment was prepared from
the leaves. In the late 1880s, Dr.
Trebut investigated its reputation for hypnotic
properties. P.L. Simmonds1 stated that the
plant was used at the Civil Hospital, Alger, as a
sedative and hypnotic. |
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Habitat |
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It is tomentose
under-shrub. The taproot is well developed, stout and
fleshy. The leaves are ovate, sub-acute and pubescent.
Flowers are greenish or lirud
yellow. Corolla is divided rather more than ˝
way down. Berry is red
enclosed in the inflated calyx. The seed are
reniform and yellow.
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Morphology Description (Habit) |
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W.somnifera
is an erect, evergreen, tomentose
shrub. The roots are stout, fleshy and whitish brown; the leaves
are simple ovate, glabrous; the flowers are inconspicuous,
greenish or lurid-yellow, in axillary,
umbellate cymes; the berries are globose,
orange-red when mature, enclosed in the persistent calyx and
have yellow, reniform seeds.
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Principal
Constituents |
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Biochemically
heterogeneous alkaloids including
cuscohygrine, anahygrine,
tropine,
pseudotropine, anaferine. The
plant has steroidal lactones - withanolides,
withaferin, which are estrogenic
compounds. Long
considered a premier adaptogenic herb, Ashwagandha has clearly
demonstrated anti-stress properties, including resistance to
gastric ulcers caused by aspirin and improved endurance as
measured by swimming times and other endurance tests. The chief
active ingredients are glycowithanolides, which are potent
immunomodulators. Researchers in India and Germany have shown
Ashwagandha to be superior to Panax ginseng in double-blind
trials controlled with placebos. Ashwagandha has been
traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and treatment of impotence.
In a separate study, the effect of
Withania somnifera on the cellular immune responses (CMI) was
demonstrated in normal as well as tumour bearing animals.
Administration of Withania extract was found to enhance the
proliferation of lymphocytes, bone marrow cells and thymocytes
in responses to mitogens. Both PHA and Con A mitogens along with
Withania treated splenocytes, bone marrow cells and thymocytes
could stimulate proliferation twice greater than the normal.
Withania treated splenocytes along with the mitogen LPS (10
microg/ml) could stimulate the lymphocyte proliferation six
times more than the normal. Natural killer cell activity (NK)
was found to be enhanced significantly in both the normal and
the tumour bearing group and it was found to be earlier than the
control (48.92% cell lysis). Antibody dependent cellular
cytotoxicity (ADCC) was found to be enhanced in the Withania
treated group on the 9th day (65% cell lysis). An early Antibody
dependent complement mediated cytotoxicity (ACC) was observed in
the Withania treated group on day 13 (47% cell lysis).
Ilayperuma I,
Ratnasooriya WD, Weerasooriya TR. at the Department of Anatomy,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
demonstrated the effect of Withania somnifera extract on the
sexual behavior of male adult rats.
Ayurvedic Energetics
Rasa (taste): Bitter, Astringent, Sweet
Virya (action): Heating
Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Sweet
Guna (quality): Light, Unctuous
Dosha effect: Vata-, Kapha-
Dhatu (tissue): Blood, Muscle, Fat, Bone, Nerve, Reproductive
Srota (channel): Reproductive, Nervous, Respiratory
Ayurvedic Action
Vrishya- increases sexual potency, Balya- increases strength,
Shukrala- increases sperm production, Shothahara- prevents
consumption and wasting diseases, Rasayana- rejuvenative,
Vata kaphahara- reduces kapha and vata, Swasa- benefits breathing
(Charaka, Sushruta, Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita, Bhavaprakasha
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Indications |
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Ashwaganda
is used in asthma and as a uterine sedative. The total alkaloids
showed relaxant and antispasmodic effects against several
spasmogens on intestinal, uterine,
bronchial, tracheal and blood-vascular muscles.
Contraindications
Caution in excess pitta. Caution in pregnancy- although
traditionally used in India during pregnancy its spasmolytic
activity on the uterus has led western phytotherapy to restrict
its use in pregnancy. |
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Product Range |
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Ashwagandha.
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Reference |
- Singh B, Chandan BK, Gupta
DK; Phytother Res. 2003 May;17(5):531-6.
- Bhattacharya SK,
Muruganandam AV. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003
Jun;75(3):547-55
- Davis L, Kuttan G., J Exp
Clin Cancer Res. 2002 Dec;21(4):585-90.
- Ilayperuma I, Ratnasooriya
WD, Weerasooriya TR. Asian J Androl. 2002 Dec;4(4):295-8
- Sai Ram M, Neetu D, Deepti
P,Vandana M, Ilavazhagan G, Kumar D, Selvamurthy W;
Phytother Res. 2003 Apr;17(4):430-3.
- Bhattacharya A, Ghosal S,
Bhattacharya SK; Indian J Exp Biol. 2000 Sep;38(9):877-80.
- Sai Ram M, Neetu D, Yogesh
B, Anju B, Dipti P, Pauline T, Sharma SK, Sarada SK,
Ilavazhagan G, Kumar D, Selvamurthy W; J Ethnopharmacol.
2002 Jun;81(1):5-10
- Jose JK, Kuttan G, Kuttan
R.; J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 May;75(2-3):65-9.
- Bhattacharya A, Chatterjee
A, Ghosal S, Bhattacharya SK.; Indian J Exp Biol. 1999
Jul;37(7):676-80
- Gaitonde, N. S. et al:
Ind. J. Pharm.,12: 290 (1950).
- Gaitonde, B. B. and M. H.
Jethmalani: Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn., 179: 121, (1969).
- Gaitonde, B. B. and M. H.
Jethmalani: Ind. J. Pharm., 31: 175, (1969
- Rezar V, Pajk T, Marinsek
Logar R, Jese Janezic V, Salobir K, Oresnik A, Salobir J.;
Ann Nutr Metab. 2003;47(2):78-84.
- Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG,
Prasad RN. Life Sci. 2002 Aug 9;71(12):1385-96.
- Brown GA, Vukovich MD,
Martini ER, Kohut ML, Franke WD, Jackson DA, King DS; Int J
Vitam Nutr Res. 2001 Sep;71(5):293-301.
- Brown GA, Vukovich MD,
Reifenrath TA, Uhl NL, Parsons KA, Sharp RL, King DS; Int J
Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000 Sep;10(3):340-59.
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Amer. J. Pharm.
Feb. 1891.
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Parts Used:
Root and leaves. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be
prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. This shrub is common in
Mumbai (Bombay) and Western India and occasionally found in Bengal.
Traditional Ayurvedic Uses:
Ashwaganda has many significant benefits, but is best known for its
powerful adaptogenic properties, meaning that it helps mind and body
adapt better to stress. It nourishes the nerves and improves nerve
function to help you maintain calm during stressful situations.
It is also good for people who do physical labor or exercise a lot, to
help the body adapt to physical stress.
It is a powerful Rasayana, meaning that it acts as an overall tonic for
greater vitality and longevity.
It nourishes all the bodily tissues (Dhatus), including the joints and
nerves.
It is also a powerful Medhya Rasayana, which means that it enhances all
three aspects of mind power (Dhi -- comprehension; Dhriti -- memory; and
Smriti -- recollection).
Ashwagandha nourishes the crucial mind-body connection and psychoneuro
immune response (called PNI). It helps coordinate the mind and senses,
as well, which is essential for good quality sleep.
It balances the mind (Prana Vata). This is essential for happiness in
the face of mental or emotional stress.
It increases the quality and quantity of Ojas, the master coordinator
between the body and consciousness. It helps pure consciousness slide
into the physiology.
It has a Sothara effect -- which means it helps clear impurities (Ama)
from the various channels of the body.
Ashwagandha enhances virility and has aphrodisiac properties, especially
for men.
It is also well known for its powerful immune enhancing benefits.
It is considered among the best of all substances for balancing
Vata. It
also pacifies Kapha at the same time, which is a rare combination.
As with almost all single all herbs, there is one small caution.
Ashwagandha should always be used with other herbs such as licorice to
balance out possible heating effects (especially for the heart).
TISSUES: Debility, low body
weight, emaciation, deficient haemoglobin, anaemia- post-convalescence,
athletes, pregnancy. Specific for any imbalance in the muscles both
reducing inflammation and strengthening muscle tone. It is a specific
rasayana for mamsadhatu- it is an anabolic muscle builder.2 As it
benefits all muscle tissue it is used as a heart tonic, uterine tonic,
lung tonic as well as for increasing muscle weight and tone in
convalescents, slow developing children and the elderly.
IMMUNITY: Auto-immune conditions, neutropenia, rheumatoid/osteo
arthritis, cancer, chronic connective tissue disorders. As a pain killer
and anti-inflammatory it is commonly used in swollen or painful
arthritic conditions. It can strengthen a weakened immune system and
protect it from becoming depleted due to immunosuppressive drugs or
lifestyle. Improves white blood cell counts. It appears to have both
immunosuppressive and immunotonic abilities- a 'true' adaptogen!3
LUNGS: Asthma, cough and allergic conditions from imbalanced
immunity. Useful in hay fever, allergic rhinitis from aggravated vata.
NERVES: Nerosis, insomnia,
anxiety, 'hyper' symptoms,
ADHD. Very
useful in all conditions caused by 'stress'. Beneficial in Multiple
sclerosis.4
REPRODUCTIVE: Asthenospermia-increases sperm motility,
oligospermia- increases sperm count, improves sexual performance,
impotence.5
GYNAECOLOGY: Excellent tonic to the uterine muscles. Used in
menstrual imbalance caused by a deficient condition with an aggravation
of vata.
COMBINATIONS:
+ Pippali for enhancing tonic effect- useful in asthma
+ Bala and Shatavari in reproductive disorders
+ Brahmi, Mandukparni, Vacha in nerve disorders
+ Guggul, Frankincense and Turmeric in arthritic and congestive
disorders.
Combinations are Best
The ayurvedic physicians of Ayurveda do not recommend the use of single
herbs for self-care due to several important reasons (see the index page
of the ayurvedic herb section for details).
One of the specialties of ayurveda is the science of herb combining that
has been perfected over thousands of years of clinical practice. From
this ayurvedic perspective, the study of herbs from scientific research
which is based on single ingredient formulas is not very practical. This
is because an herb can give a number of different effects depending on
the other herbs it is combined with as well as a number of other factors
such as dosage, how the herb was processed, etc. If one focuses just on
the results of a study based on one ingredient, while it may be
interesting, it does not give the full insight into the complete range
of effects available from that particular herb.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera):
Ashwagandha is a
small woody shrub or herb of the Solanaceae family. It grows usually to
about 2 feet in height and is naturally found in diverse areas ranging
from Africa, the Mediterranean and East into India. Because of its wide
range, there is considerable morphological and chemo typical variations
in terms of local species. Known in English as winter cherry,
Ashwagandha is the most highly regarded herb of the Ayurvedic medical
system. Ayurveda regards Ashwagandha, as Traditional Chinese Medicine
regards ginseng.
An adaptogenic herb of which Ashwagandha would be a first rate example,
the herb allows one to adapt to a variety of heightened stressful
circumstances. This will result in heightened stamina and endurance for
athletic competition, the workplace and conditions of inclement
environment and weather conditions.
The combined alkaloids seem to exhibit calming, anti-convulsant and
antispasmodic properties against many spasmogenic agents on the
intestinal, uterine, bronchial, tracheal and blood-vascular muscles. It
is described as similar but considerably weaker that papaverine and
phenobarbitone. Other constituents, namely the sitoindosides enhance
pathogenic devouring phagocytes.
Regarded as a 1st
class adaptogenic tonic in one of the world's greatest herbal medical
systems, Ashwagandha is an herb which can compare favorably to the
world’s most renowned herbal tonics such as
ginseng (Panax
ginseng),
astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), dang gui (Angelica sinensis),
reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) and South American suma (Pfaffia
paniculata) and like these has been held in high regard by generations
of people over the course of millennia for its ability to increase
vitality, energy, endurance and stamina , promote longevity and
strengthen the immune system without stimulating the body’s reserves.
History:
The use of Ashwagandha in Ayurvedic medicine extends back over 3000 to
4000 years to the teachings of an esteemed rishi (sage) Punarvasu Atriya.
It has been described in the sacred texts of Ayurveda, including the
Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas where it is widely extolled as a tonic
especially for emaciation in people of all ages including babies.
Description and Pharmacology
The distinctive
earthy odor and flavor of Ashwagandha is due to the presence of certain
steroidal lactones or Withanolides . It is from this characteristic odor
that Ashwagandha derives its name - "like a horse", a Sanskrit name. It
is particularly prized & known for its appealing flavor, The post
digestive flavor of Ashwagandha is not so much sensorially identified
but because it exhibits tonic nutritive properties. The seeds of the
fruits are diuretic and can be used as a substitute for rennet to curdle
milk.
The major biochemical constituents of Ashwagandha from which its primary
medicinal properties emanate, are based upon the actions of certain
steroidal alkaloids and steroidal lactones in a class of constituents
called withanolides. These serve as important hormone precursors that
the body is then able, as needed, to convert into human physiological
hormones. If there is an excess of a certain hormone, the plant based
hormone precursors occupy the so-called hormone receptor sites, without
converting to human hormones, to block absorption. Hence, Ashwagandha -
like other adaptogenic tonic herbs, is amphoteric and can serve to
regulate important physiological processes, increasing or decreasing as
needed.
Ashwagandha has many attractive features, it is cheap, has
ginseng-like
properties, regenerates the nervous system and yet imparts strength,
vitality, enhances libido. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties
relieving / treating arthritic and rheumatic conditions bedsides having
proved itself invaluable in a host of other ailments.
Anti-tumor properties have been found based on the use of the crude
extract on mice both in living specimens as well as against cancer cells
in the petri dish.
Source
-
Tillotson
-
Bhavaprakasha. Paranjape
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