What Is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is a member of the nightshade family. It produces small yellow-green flowers which are followed by bright orange-red berries. The root of ashwagandha is the primary medicinal part of the plant. It is used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine practices, as well in as Western herbalism. Our ashwagandha is grown organically in India. It works well both on its own, and combined with other herbs.

How to Use Ashwagandha (Common Uses)

Ashwagandha root can be taken internally as a powder, tea, decoction, in capsules, and as an extract. For more tips on using ashwagandha visit our herbal blog.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a tonic and adaptogen herb, and it is used primarily in Western herbalism to restore health to the nervous system and ease stress and mental exhaustion. It promotes mental clarity, improved memory, and athletic stamina. It may be used in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety where hypertension is present, insomnia, and fibromyalgia (where it is often given alongside black cohosh).

Ashwagandha root has similar potency, adaptogenic, and tonic powers when compared with American ginseng, however, ashwagandha root is generally much more affordable.

In Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, ashwagandha root is one of the most popular herbal remedies. It is often used as an aphrodisiac, depression and anxiety remedy, and a calming tonic. These medicine practices may mix ashwagandha root with milk to be given to children and the elderly for conditions such as frailty and iron-deficient anemia. It may also be mixed with honey or ghee and given to men who are suffering from impotence. When given to breastfeeding females, ashwagandha root can help to stimulate milk production, however, is not usually recommended to be taken during pregnancy.

Ashwagandha can be also useful for reducing bone degeneration, rheumatism, and joint pain, as well as having some anti-aging benefits. When used for osteoarthritis, rheumatism, joint pain, and other chronic inflammatory diseases, ashwagandha root is often combined with herbs such as frankincense, ginger, and turmeric. Ashwagandha root may also help to preserve bone marrow.

Ashwagandha has antispasmodic effects on the smooth muscle of the intestinal, bronchial, uterine, and arterial systems. It can be useful as an aid in the prevention of stress-induced gastric ulcers.

The steroidal lactones in ashwagandha have anti-inflammatory effects, and can help to inhibit proteins produced by the body that cause inflammatory cascade responses. Ashwagandha root is considered to have immunomodulating effects.

Ashwagandha root may enhance the effects of some prescription medications.

Active Constituents in Ashwagandha

Steroidal lactones (withanolides, withanferins), sitoinosides, , nutrients (iron), alkaloids (isopelietierine, withasamine, somniferin, anaferine).

Notable Facts About Ashwagandha

In Latin, the name ‘somnifera’ means ‘sleep inducing’, a reference to the energy balancing qualities of ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha root extracts made with alcohol interact with GABA-A receptors, and may enhance the binding of some other compounds.