Common Name: Ashwagandha
Scientific name: Withania somniferum
Synonyms: Indian ginseng, winter cherry

Overview:

Ashwagandha is in the same family as tomatoes, peppers and potatoes. It is a small, evergreen shrub native to the frost free regions of India, northern Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Ashwagandha stands 2-3ft in heights with oval leaves and yellow flowers resembling those of the tomato. It has small red fruit about the size of a raisin. Every part of the plant is used in traditional medicines in its native regions.

Ashwagandha is considered to be an adaptogen. It helps the body recover from stressful situations. It has been used for over 2,500 years in India as a general tonic to rejuvenate, strengthen and calm the nervous system. The active constituents in Ashwagandha are called withanolides. These withanolides are steroidal in nature and are what gives this herb its ability to heal and restore.

Benefits

Although research into the benefits of this herb are just beginning, Ashwagandha is a very important herb in the traditional Ayurveda medicine of India. Indian healers use Ashwagandha not only as a general tonic but use it to treat a variety of ailments.

This herb is used to:

1. Strengthen and tone the body.
2. Help correct memory problems by modifying the way the brain uses acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter).
3. Animal studies have confirmed that the active ingredients in ashwagandha are a more potent treatment for the pain and swollen joints of arthritis than synthetic steroids without the immune depressing side affects. Unlike long term use of aspirin to relieve the symptoms of arthritis, the active compounds in Ashwagandha do not cause gastro intestinal bleeding.
4. Increase red and white blood cell counts after treatment with cyclophosphamide, used in the treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, azathioprine, used to prevent organ rejection and prednisone used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases like lupus.
5. Increase platelet counts as well as red and white cell counts after chemotherapy. Studies in India have shown that ashwagandha also makes cancer cells more susceptible to radiation therapy.
6. Relieve stress and promote restful sleep. Ashwagandha has GABA-like compounds that help calm the nerves and encourage sleep.
7. In traditional Indian medicine, ashwagandha is used as a “grounding: herb. It increases libido and increases sexual stamina.
8. To strengthen and tone the body. Ashwagandha is used to increase endurance and resistance to physical stress.
9. Balance and strengthen the actions of other herbs. Because of this it is often used in conjunction with other herbs.

Recommended Dosage:

Pediatric

Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years to treat children in India. However, its safety in children, pregnant women and those with liver or kidney disease has not been determined. Because of this it is advised that in these situations, it should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Adult

The typical adult dosage is

1. a 300mg capsule once to twice a day.
2. Tincture dosage is 2-4ml (.5 -1tsp) daily.
3. To make a tea boil the roots for 15 minutes, strain and drink three cups per day.

Contra-indications

1. Ashwagandha acts as a sedative. People operating heavy equipment should remember this when taking ashwagandha.
2. People with hyperthyroidism should not take ashwagandha as it has been known to increase thyroid hormone levels.

Drug interactions

1. If you are taken sedatives, ashwagandha will enhance the effects of these medications.

Web References

1. http://healthlibrary.epnet.com
2. http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_ashwaganda.htm

Printed Reference Material

1. al-Hindawi MK, al-Khafaji SH, Abdul-Nabi MH. Anti-granuloma activity of Iraqi Withania somnifera. J Ethnopharmacol. 1992;37:113–116.
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3. Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Sairam K, et al. Anxiolytic-antidepressant activity of Withania somnifera glycowithanolides: an experimental study. Phytomedicine. 2000;7:463-46
4. Bone K. [No title available]. MediHerb Professional Review. 1998;30.
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6. Davis L, Kuttan G. Effect of Withania somnifera on DMBA induced carcinogenesis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001;75:165-168.
7. Devi PU, Sharada AC, Solomon FE, et al. In vivo growth inhibitory effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on a transplantable mouse tumour, Sarcoma 180. Indian J Exp Biol. 1992;30:169–172.
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19. Singh DD, Dey CS, Bhutani KK. Downregulation of p34cdc2 expression with aqueous fraction from Withania somnifera for a possible molecular mechanism of anti-tumor and other pharmacological effects. Phytomedicine. 2001;8:492-494.
20. Singh N, Nath R, Lata A, et al. Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), a rejuvenating herbal drug which enhances survival during stress (an adaptogen). Int J Crude Drug Res. 1982;20:29–35.
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