Ashwagandha

(Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha is a non native plant which can only be cultivated in certain areas of this country. I have only included it in this website because I feel it is the best adaptogenic plant I have ever used. I am not a medical professional, and I am not attempting to give medical advice. You should always consult a licensed physician before starting any herbal regime. The information contained herein will be a mixture of clinical studies, anecdotal evidence, and my own personal experiences.

Other Names:

Withania, Winter Cherry, Indian Winter Cherry, Indian Ginseng, Ashwagandha

Range:

Family:

Solanaceae – Nightshade family

Habitat:

It is found online, in healthfood stores, local grocery stores, or perhaps even your spice cabinet.

Parts Used:

Roots

Culinary Uses:

None Known

The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.

Energetics

Taste: Salty
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Moistening

Traditional Medicinal Uses:

Ashwagandha root has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and memory problems, auto-immune disorders, arthritis and carpel tunnel, stress, and as a sexual tonic. It increases general stamina, and long-term endurance. Clinical triels outlined in the link below have demonstrated the efficacy of W. somnifera at improving cardiorespiratory endurance. I have personally seen this root work wonders in the treatment of anxiety, decreased energy, stamina, and strength.

Here is a link to a published paper outlining the findings of one of the myriad scientific studies performed demonstrating the efficacy of Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, on a host of devastating diseases.

This link takes you to a published paper demonstrating the "Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults".

Indications

Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Asthma, Bronchitis, Dementia, Depression, Dyspepsia, Emaciation, Erectile Dysfunction, Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Hypothyroidism, Impotence, Insomnia, Insulin Resistance, Low Libido, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), PTSD, Scabies, Sexual Dysfunction, Ulcer

Usage Citations

Medicinal Actions:

Adaptogen, Anti-Inflammatory, Antineoplastic, Antioxidant, Anxiolytic, Aphrodisiac, Nervine, Tonic - Brain, Tonic: Cardiac, Tonic: Nerve, Tonic: Sexual Male

Constituents:

The Major Characteristic Constituents Are Steroidal Lactones Collectively Known As “withanolides” Including Withaferin A, 27-deoxywithaferin A, Withanolide D, Withanosides I–xi, And Withasomniferols A–c. Alkaloids Constitute The Other Major Group Of Compounds Found In This Plant Material. Among The Alkaloids Found In The Root Are Anaferine, Anahygrine, Cuscohygrine, Dl-isopelletierine, 3-tropyltigloate, Tropane-3-??-ol, 3-??-tigloyl-oxy-tropane And Tropine. Also Present Are Saponins Including Sitoindosides Vii–x

Fruit: Chamase, Cysteine, Cystine, Hydroxyproline

Leaf: 14-alpha-hydroxywithanolide, 14-hydroxy-27-deoxywithaferin A, 17-alpha-hydroxywithanolide, 2-3-dihydrowithaferin, 2-3-dihydrowithanolide, 27-deoxywithaferin, 27-hydroxywithanolide-d, 4-beta-20-alpha-®-dihydroxy-1-oxo-5-beta-6-beta-epoxywith-2-enolide, 4-beta-20-alpha-dihydroxy-1-oxo-5-beta-6-beta-epoxywitha-2-24-dienolide, 4-beta-hydroxy-1-oxo-5-beta-6-beta-epoxywith-2-enolide, 4-beta-hydroxywithanolide, 4-o-caffeoylquinic-acid, 7-beta-hydroxywithanolide, Alkaloids, Beta-sitosterol, Chlorogenic-acid, Dihydrowithaferin A, Isochlorogenic-acid-c, Quercetin, Quercetin-3-rutinoside-7-glucoside, Quinic-acid, Rutin, Withacnistin, Withaferin, Withaferin-a, Withaferine, Withaferins, Withanicandrin, Withanolide F, Withanolide H, Withanolide J, Withanolide K, Withanolide L, Withanolide M, Withanolide P, Withanolide Q, Withanolide R, Withanolide-d, Withanolide-e, Withanolide-g, Withanolide-n, Withanolide-o, Withanolide-s, Withanone

Plant: 1,3,20-trihydroxy-5,24-withadienolide, 14,20r,27-trihydroxy-1-oxo-3,5,24-withatrienolide, 14-hydroxywithanolide-d, 17-hydroxywithanolide-d, 2,3-dehydrosomnifericin, 20-28-dihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2-5-8(14)-24-tetraenolide, 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3-beta-ol, 24-ethylcholesta-5-(z)-24(28)-dien-3-beta-ol, 24-methylcholesta-5,24-dien-3beta-ol, 24-methylcholesta-5-24(25)-dien-3-beta-ol, 27-hydroxywithanolide-d, 5,20alpha-®-dihyroxy-6alpha,7alpha-epoxy-1-oxo-(5alpha)-with A-2,24-dienolide, 5,24-stigmastadien-3-ol, 5,6-epoxy-20-hydroxy-1,4-dioxo-2,24-withadienolide, 5,6-epoxy-20-hydroxy-1,4-dioxo-2-withenolide, 5,6-epoxy-4,17-dihydroxy-1-oxo-2,24-withadienolide, 5,6-epoxy-4,20-dihydroxy-1-oxo-2-withenolide, 5,6-epoxy-4,20-dihydroxy-1-oxo-24-withenolide, 5-beta-6-beta-epoxy-14-17-20-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2-24-dienolide, 5-beta-6-beta-epoxy-4-14-17-20-tetrahydroxy-1-oxowitha-2-24-dielolide, 5alpha,17alpha-®-dihyroxy-6alpha,7alpha-epoxy-with A-2,24-dienolide, 6,7-epoxy-5,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-2,24-withadienolide, Alpha-withananine, Ipuranol, Kno3, Linoleic-acid, N-hentriacontane, Pseudowithanine, Quresimine-a, Quresimine-b, Scopoletin, Sominolide, Sominone, Somniferianine, Somnifericin, Somniferinine, Somnine, Somnirol, Somnisol, Somnitol, Stearic-acid, Stigmasterol, Withaferin-a, Withaferinil, Withaferinol A, Withalactone, Withanic-acid, Withanolide-d, Withaoxylactone, Withasomnine, Withasonmidienone

Root: (-)-anaferine, 3-alpha-tigloyloxytropane, 3-tigloylhydroxytropane, 3-tropyltigloate, 3alpha-tigloyoxytropane, 5-alpha-20-alpha-®-dihydroxy-6-alpha-7-alpha-epoxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide, 5-alpha-27-hydroxy-6-alpha-7-alpha-epoxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide, Alkaloids, Anaferine, Anahygrine, Beta-sitosterol, Choline, Cuscohygrine, Daucosterol, Dulcitol, Hentriacontane, Hygrine, Ipuranol, Isopelletierine, Nicotine, Pseudotropanaol, Pseudotropine, Sitoindoside-ix, Sitoindoside-vii, Sitoindoside-viii, Sitoindoside-x, Sitoindosides, Somniferine, Starch, Sucrose, Tropanaol, Tropine, Visamine, Withaferin-a, Withananine, Withanine, Withaniol, Withanolide-d, Withasomine, Withasomniferol-a, Withasomniferol-b, Withasomniferol-c, Withasomnine

Seed Oil: Linoleic-acid

Seed: Withanolide Ws-1

Shoot: 4-deoxyphysalolactone, 5-dehydroxywithanolide, Withaferin-a, Withanolide I, Withanolide-d, Withanolide-e, Withanolide-g, Withanone, Withasomniferin A

Stem Bark: Somniferanolide, Somniferawithanolide, Somniwithanolide, Withasomniferanolide, Withasomnilide

Tissue Culture: 2,4-methylene-cholesterol, 24-ethylidene-cholesterol, Beta-sitosterol, Campesterol, Stigmasterol

Cautions According To WebMD

Possible Side Effects:
Excessive doses of ashwagandha have been reported to cause abortions, so pregnant women should avoid this herb. Do not take this herb with other sedatives or anti-anxiety drugs. Large doses can cause diarrhea, stomach upset and vomiting.

Possible Interactions:
W. somnifera can increase the activity of the immune system. Some immunosuppressant medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking ashwagandha along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.

Ashwagandha might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications Benzodiazepines, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking ashwagandha with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.

The body naturally produces thyroid hormones. Ashwagandha might increase how much thyroid hormone the body produces. Taking ashwagandha with thyroid hormone pills might cause too much thyroid hormone in the body, and increase the effects and side effects of thyroid hormone

Ashwagandha might lower blood sugar levels. Taking ashwagandha along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Ashwagandha might lower blood pressure. Taking ashwagandha along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

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Herbal Preparations For Withania somnifera

00 Capsules

Part Used: Root
Plant State: Dried
Capsules made from dried powdered root are used as Adaptogen, Anthelmintic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antineoplastic, Antioxidant, Anxiolytic, Immunostimulant, Nervine, Tonic - Nerve.
Dosage: 2-3 capsules twice daily as needed.

Tea

Part Used: Root
Plant State: Dried
Preparation Instructions...
Dosage: Enjoy a mug 2 -3 times daily as needed.

Tincture

Part Used: Root
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Preparation Instructions...
Dosage: 60-100 drops three times daily as needed.