Neem - Important plant

                     Ashwagandha / Withania somnifera

                       Ashwagandha is a short perennial herbs , which is generally used as a Rasayana for rejuvenating the body . It  grows up to 35-70 cm height in dry climate region and  entire plant is covered with cut hair and is silvery gray . Its root are stout and  fleshy when dry , unbranched , straight and gradually tapering downwards with inner region of root is creamy white in color .  .Leaves are simple , ovate , elliptic and dull green . Flowers are tiny and bell shaped around 1 cm long and fruits are orange-red color with 2.5 mm diameter size and yellow color .  .It cultivated in various region of India such as Nimach , Jawad area ( Madhya Pradesh ) ,Punjab and Rajasthan . It is also distributed in Afghanistan , Sri Lanka  , Africa region. Generally roots of Ashwagandha are used in Ayurvedic medicine for Aphrodisiac and Rejuvenate purpose .This herbs is a non toxic herbs that helps to normalize all bodies function, by working on the neuro-endocrine system .This herbs gives stamina ,strength , and improving immune system .

 Ashwagandha others name – ( Family – Solanaceae )

      Latin name ( Withania somnifera ) , Sanskrit ( Ashwagandha , Balada , Kamrupini  ) , Hindi name ( Ashwagandha , Asgandh ) , Telgu ( Penneru , Gadda ) , Tamil ( Amulkura  , Askulang ) , Malayalam ( Amukkura ) , Bengali ( Asvagandha ) , Kannada ( Ashvagandhi ) , English  ( Indian Winter cherry  , Poison gooseberry ) , Africa ( Winter cherry ) , Nigeria ( Karama anta ) ,Farsi ( Somnifera ) .

Properties of Ashwagandha –

1.     Ayurvedic properties of Ashwagandha are ; Rasa / Taste –Katu /Pungent /Bitter / Astringent ; Guna / Qualities – Laghu / Unctuousness ; Veerya/ Potency – Hot Potency ; Vipaka – Katu undergoes Pungent taste conversion after digestion ; Effect of Tridosha – Balance Tridosha , Especially Kapha and Vata . It is potent adaptogen and aphrodisiac used in cancer , uterine weakness , asthma , anxiety ,stress , depression , arthritis ,diabetes and others . it has strengthen action , so it helps reducing physical weakness and treating general debility .

2.     Reducing stress, anxiety - Ashwagandha roots  have Adaptogenic and Nutritional properties , which significantly minimize Anxiety and stress related depression . If consuming in long duration in limited quantity of Ashwagandha root , it may be minimize the Cortisol hormone  level in our body . Cortisol is a hormone responsible for stress and anxiety , thus this herbs may be helps to reducing stress, anxiety and its associated problem like high blood pressure . In Ayurvedic point of view , Ashwagandha help balancing Vata and which reduce the symptom of stress .

3.     Improving brain , Nervous system health and memory -  Ashwagandha roots contain healthy promoting compound that promote cognition , increase memory and concentration level . It also promotes growth of brain cell , improve brain health . Alkaloids of Ashwagandha roots increase the toxic amyloid in the brain and prevent further damage. It also improve memory and cognition by enhancing the function of the nervous system and brain .

4.     Controlling diabetes - Ashwagandha roots and leaves may be help in lowering sugar  level .It may be works by replenishing the glycogen store in the liver and it suppresses the release of excess glucose in blood and control sugar level . In other ways main Insulin producer beta cells is damage due to oxidative stress and by free radical . Ashwagandha minimize oxidative stress and free radical activity .Ashwagandha improved insulin sensitivity and reduced insulin resistance .

5.     Prevent Liver and improve its function - Production of toxin and free radical activation , that cause damage to liver cells . Ashwagandha improved the Anti-oxidant status by increasing the strong Anti-oxidant enzyme such as Catalase , Superoxide dismutase , and glutathione , which are preventing the damage liver cells by removing toxin and reducing free radical activation. It also prevent liver damage by restoring the normal structure of liver cells and by reducing the blood level of liver enzymes .

6.     Prevent  Parkinson’s , Alzheimer’s and its associated problem  - Parkinson’s problem is due to damage of the nerve cells which affect movements , and balance of the body . Ashwagandha root have Strong Anti-oxidant activities and Vata balancing properties , which may be prevents damage of nerve cell . This minimize the risk of Parkinson’s and its associated problem . Ashwagandha contain health promoting compounds that promote cognition and increase memory ,It also promotes brain cells growth , improve brain health .Alkaloids present in Ashwagandha increase the amyloid and prevent further damage .

7.     Prevent and treat Thyroid problems - Ashwagandha contain Alkaloids , steroidal and Saponins , which are essential in balancing Thyroid hormone . Thyroids function is controlled by Pitta dosha .It also have strong Antioxidant properties and Pitta balancing property , which may helps to minimize oxidative stress in the Thyroid gland by scavenging free radicals . This may helps improve overall thyroid activity .

8.     Prevent cardiovascular problem - Ashwagandha decreases the triglyceride and cholesterol level in the blood . Ashwagandha  has adaptogenic property which may help to reducing stress , and this herbs also acts as a heart muscles relaxant . It is heart -protective antioxidant that scavenges free radicals and minimize oxidative stress .  Ashwagandha has anti-stressor effect , which improve the overall health of heart . Anti-coagulating  property of Ashwagandha that may help in preventing the formation of blood clots in arteries , which also  help to treat heart problem .Ashwagandha has energy boosting properties that provides energy to the heart and improves the overall functioning .

9.     Good sleep activity - Ashwagandha roots is may be help to be good for sleep ( sleep related disorder like Insomnia ) . Ashwagandha does not acts as a sedative rather it helps to calm the nerves which in turn helps the body to sleep . Nervous system problem is may be due to aggravated Vata dosha . Ashwagandha roots have balancing Vata dosha properties , which leads to good sleep .

10.  Improving hair strengthen and growth - Anti-oxidant and Nutritive properties of Ashwagandha roots makes it an excellent tonic for hair . It nourishes hair follicles and strengthens the hair . Regular consumption of Ashwagandha roots may reduce stress in the body that leads to lesser hair fall .

11.  Prevent and treat Ulcer - Oxidative stress and excess of free radical play a causative role in the development of gastric ulcers . Ashwagandha roots have Anti-ulcerogenic property is attributed to the presence of Flavonoids and anti-oxidant in it ,which may help and reduce ulcer problem. Gastro-protective role is due to the presence of antioxidants and flavonoids in Ashwagandha roots.

12.  Improve Anti-ageing effects - Ashwagandha plant parts have alkaloid , saponins , steroidal lactone ,  polyphenols , phytosterol , fatty acid  and according to these nutrients it may be used as a general tonic to boost energy and reduce fatigue . It is also to possess anti-aging effects .

13.  Treat arthritis and pain - Ashwagandha herbs to treat several inflammatory disorders , it suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory chemical messengers in body . According to this ,  it has been used to treat arthritis , swelling etc. Problem , due to its anti-inflammatory properties . Ashwagandha plays an anti-arthritis role by reducing inflammation .

Chemical properties of Ashwagandha –

1.     The Ashwagandha roots mainly include  near about 30-35 chemical constituents . The biological active constituents in  Ashwagandha roots include – Alkaloids (Anaferine , Isopellertierine )  , Steroidal Lactone ( Withanolides A to Y , Withaferins-A, Withasomniferol ) , Saponins ( Sitoindoside ), Tannins  and Flavonoids .

2.     Steroidal Lactone and saponins is possess strong free radical scavenging properties , and significantly reduce lipid peroxidation . Withananoloids and their glycosides possess act as neuro-protective activities .

3.     Withanolides is a group of natural occurring steroids , it consist of  steroids backbone bound to a Lactones and they may be produced via oxidation of steroids . Withanolides have wide range of pharmacological activities including , Sedative , Anti-inflammatory , Anti-arthritic , Anti-oxidant , Anti-bacterial , Anti-tumour and immune-modulatory .

4.     Withaferin-A is a natural occurring steroidal structure and  has many pharmacological uses because of its Anti-inflammatory , Anti-carcinogenic , and Cardio-protective properties  . Sitoindosides and Withaferin –A are have anti-stress activity . Withaferin A is steroidal lactones has pharmaceutical use because of its Anti-inflammatory , Anti-carcinogenic, Immunomodulatory and Cardio-protective activity . Sitoindoside  belong to class of organic compound known as stigmastanes and derivatives .

5.     Ashwagandha roots contains many beneficial elements , including  flavonoids and antioxidants , such as catalase , superoxide dismutase and glutathione , which is known as the “ mother of all anti-oxidants ‘’ .

6.     Flavonoids  -  These flavonoids of Ashwagandha act as antioxidants and neutralize the free radicals . They helps to fight against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation .

7.     The Roots of  Ashwagandha contain Alkaloids , Amino acid ,Steroids , Volatile oil ,Starch , Reducing sugar ,Glycosides , Hentriacontane , Withaniol etc .The total Alkaloidal content found in Roots is  may be 0.10 -0.30% . Basic Alkaloids includes Cuscohygrine , Anahygrine , Withananinine , Pseudo-withanine , Somnine , Somniferine , Somniferinine. Neutral Alkaloids includes mainly 3-Tropyltigloate . Other Alkaloids include Withanine , Withasomnine , and Vasamine . Withanine have a  sedative properties .

8.     Ashwagandha roots also contain Alkaloids , which include Nicotine , Somniferine , Somniferinine , Choline , Tropine , Somnine , Withamine , Visamine , Withanmine , and Withanaminine .

9.     Nutritional value of Ashwagandha roots are ; Protein , Carbohydrates , Crude fibre , Fat , Minerals ( Iron , Manganese , Zinc , Copper , Calcium , Magnesium ) , Vitamins , Carotene , vitamin C .The free Amino acid found in Ashwagandha roots mainly are Glycine , Alanine  , Proline , Tryptophan , Glutamic acid and Cystine  .

Side Effect of Ashwagandha –

1.     Ashwagandha powder or capsule consuming with water in empty stomach , some sensitive stomach person suffer with gastritis and constipation . Because of its hot nature , people with Pitta dominance ,feel increased hotness with Ashwagandha .If it is taken with milk or ghee , then usually side effect minimize .

2.     Consuming in excess quantity , it may have sedative effect , hence avoid it during day time . It can be used safely in children and lactating mother , always take under medical supervision .

3.     If consuming Ashwagandha being as a Rasayana or anti-aging , then develop severe anxiety or unrest , or if feel drowsy , or  it cause irregular heart beat , then immediately stop Ashwagandha and consult doctor .

4.     Ashwagandha some times increase the production of Thyroids T4 hormone , so it is generally advisable to always monitor thyroid levels regularly while consuming Ashwagandha with hyperthyroidism drugs .

5.     Warming effects of Ashwagandha make it unsuitable for long term use especially for people who have a naturally warm body  with Pitta dosha .Prolonged use may cause gastric ulcer , vomiting .

6.     Ashwagandha roots is a blood thinner and anti-coagulant , so it should not be used before or after surgery or if taken other blood thinner drugs .

Disclaimer –

          This content about Ashawagandha  is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be constructed as medical advice. Please use Ashwagandha  as medicine , consult doctor before using Ashwagandha .