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.
