Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, is a medicinal herb used in traditional Indian medicine f...

1. Ashwagandha Herb
Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, is a medicinal herb used in traditional Indian medicine
for thousands of years. In Sanskrit, the word means "that which has the smell of a horse," likely due
to its pungent scent. Recently, the ashwagandha herb has gained in popularity in the United States
for its use as an immune-system strengthener, stress reliever and calming tonic. It is believed to
restore energy, vitality and mental function.
Native to India, ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub and member of the nightshade family that
reaches up to six feet in height. The plant produces small, yellow-green flowers on grayish stems,
which are followed by bright red berries. The herb's medicinal value, however, comes from its roots,
seeds and leaves. Medicinal preparations are often taken in the form of capsules, extracts, teas and
tinctures.
Ashwagandha Benefits
Modern herbalists prescribe ashwagandha as an adaptogen, or a substance that improves the body's
ability to deal with all types of stress. Like ginseng, it is used as a tonic herb to help strengthen the
body, prolong life, improve overall health, enhance mental function, prevent infections and augment
physical energy. Some of the herb's more specific benefits include:
Reducing Inflammation - According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Experimental
Biology, ashwagandha inhibits inflammation in animals, and many herbalists believe the plant may
have the same effect on humans. Ashwagandha is often used to treat arthritis and other chronic
inflammatory diseases.
Treating Stress and Anxiety - Because the herb is a calming adaptogen, it's frequently used as a
natural treatment for anxiety, stress and stress-related ulcers, and insomnia caused by stress or
anxiety.
Treating Exhaustion - The ashwagandha herb is a popular choice for individuals suffering from
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and exhaustion.

2. Increasing Weight - A study published in the Journal of Research in Ayurveda & Siddha performed
on underweight children found that body weight and red blood cell count improved significantly
after patients took the herb for 60 days.
Improving Immunity - Ashwagandha has been shown to stimulate the activation of immune system
cells such as lymphocytes in a study published in Phytomedicine in 1994. Herbalists often prescribe
the herb for individuals suffering from infections or weak immunity.
Other traditional ashwagandha benefits include preventing cancer, treating senile dementia,
enhancing sexual function in men, increasing fertility, inducing sleep and enhancing physical
performance in sports, although all evidence is anecdotal and no supporting scientific studies exists
to support these claims. The plant's leaves and bark are also sometimes applied externally to sores
and swollen, inflamed skin.
Ashwagandha Dosage and Available Forms
The typical dosage of ashwagandha herb is 6 grams of the dried root per day. The herb can be taken
in a variety of forms.
Capsules - Take two 500 milligram capsules taken three times per day.
Tea - To make ashwagandha tea, steep one teaspoon of the dried root in boiling water or milk for 15
minutes, strain, cool and drink up to three cups per day. Sweeten with honey to help combat the
herb's potent taste, if desired.
Tincture - Take a half to three quarters of a teaspoon of ashwagandha tincture dissolved in half a
cup of water up to three times per day.
Ashwagandha Side Effects and Precautions
The ashwagandha herb is believed to be safe for consumption in most cases, although formal safety
studies have never been performed. Women who are pregnant or nursing, children and individuals
with liver or kidney disease should not take ashwagandha since the side effects of doing so are
currently unknown. Patients with hyperthyroidism should also avoid the herb, since animal studies
suggest it may raise thyroid hormone levels. No drug interactions have been reported.
References:
Anabalgan K, Sadique J. Antiinflammatory activity of Withania somnifera. Indian J Exp Biol
1981;19:245-9.
Kupparanjan K, et al. Effect of ashwaganda ( Withania somnifera Dunal) on the process of aging in
human volunteers. J Res Ayurveda Siddha . 1980;1:247-258.
Wagner H, Nörr H, Winterhoff H. Plant adaptogens. Phytomed 1994;1:63-76.
Kuhn, Merrily A, and David Winston. Winston & Kuhn's Herbal Therapy and Supplements: A
Scientific and Traditional Approach. 2 ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007. Print.
Mindell, Earl. Earl Mindell's New Herb Bible. New York: Pocket, 2002. Print.

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