Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is commonly known as “Indian Winter Cherry” or “Indian Ginseng.” It is one of the most important herbs of Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional system of medicine in India. Ashwagandha has been used as a rasayana (tonic) for a wide range of health benefits for over 6,000 years. A rasayana is an herbal preparation that promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health and expands happiness. These types of remedies are given to small children as tonics, and are also taken by the middle-aged and elderly to increase longevity. Most of the raysayana herbs are adaptogenic/anti-stress agents. And among the ayurvedic rasayana herbs, ashwagandha holds the most important place.
Ashwagandha has been shown to enhance the function of the brain and nervous system and improves the memory. It has been shown to improve the function of the reproductive system, promoting a healthy sexual and reproductive balance. Being a powerful adaptogen, ashwagandha enhances the body’s resilience to stress. Many of the biologically active chemical constituents of ashwagandha improve the body’s defense against disease by improving cell-mediated immunity. It also possesses potent antioxidant properties that help protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals. Ashwagandha is compared well with eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) and panax ginseng (Chinese/Korean ginseng) in its adaptogenic properties and is often referred to as Indian ginseng.
The extensive studies on the biological model of animals have demonstrated the adaptogeic/anti-stress properties of ashwagandha, and have also shown it to be effective in increasing stamina and preventing stress-induced gastric ulcers, carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity and mortality. The results of early studies seem to indicate a role for ashwagandha as a vitalizer or rejuvenator for the prevention and treatment of many stress-induced diseases.
