ashvagandha :

General Use:

Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha (winter cherry), is an important medicinal plant that has been used in Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine for more than 3,000 years. Some herbalists refer to Ashwagandha as Indian ginseng. The plant extract has many bioactive compounds and thereby exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. The plant extract and its bioactive compounds are used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, such as arthritis, impotence, amnesia, anxiety, cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, and others.Ashwgandha has long been considered as an excellent rejuvenator, a general health tonic and a cure for a number of health complaints. It is a sedative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and generally respected for increasing energy, endurance, and acts as an-adaptogen that exerts a strong immunostimulatory and ananti-stress agent. Ashwagandha is taken for treating cold and coughs, ulcers, emaciation, diabetes, conjunctivitis, epilepsy, insomnia, senile dementia, leprosy, Parkinson’s disease, nervous disorders, rheumatism, arthritis, intestinal infections, bronchitis, asthma, impotence and a suppressant in HIV/AIDS patients. According to Indian Herbal System (Ayurveda), Ashwagandha is considered one of the most important herbs and the best adaptogenic. It contains constituents like cuseohygrine, anahygrine, tropine, and anaferine, glycosides, withenolide with starches and amino acid. Withanolide consists of steroidal molecules which is said to fight inflammation.Ashwagandha stimulates the immune system, combats inflammation, increases memory, and helps maintain general health and wellness. Ashwagandha is known to increase the production of bone marrow, semen, and acts anti-aging. Ashwagandha anti-tumor and antiinflammatory agents are approved in several studies. Its steroidal is much higher than that of hydrocortisone which is a common treatment in cancer cases. Diseases like TB, chronic upper respiratory diseases and HIV have been added to the list of Ashwagandha due to its strong immunostimulatory activity, and it is recognized as a blood tonic, especially in gynecological disorders including anemia and menorrhagia

Therapeutic Uses:

Medicinal values

This herb is considered an adaptogen which is a nontoxic herb that works on a nonspecific basis to normalize physiological function, working on the HPA axis and the neuroendocrine system.

Ashwagandha is effective for insomnia but does not act as a sedative.its rejuvenative and nervine properties produce energy which in turn help the body to settle and sleep. Thus it helps the body to address a stress related condition rather than masking it with sedatives. A herb that rejuvenates the nervous system, erases insomnia and eases stress.

Ashwagandha has also been shown to lower blood pressure and is highly effective in stopping the formation of stress induced ulcers.

In arthritis, which involves joints that are painful, dry, swollen and inflamed, Ashwagandha would be the herb of choice

One of the special properties of Ashwagandha is that it will enhance ojas. Ojas is the most subtle, refined level of the physical body and is the end result of healthy food which is properly digested. It is responsible for a healthy immune system, physical strength, lustrous complexion, clarity of mind and sense of Well-being. It allows consciousness to flow within the body. With decreased ojas, we are less in touch with ourselves and more prone to diseases and having a feeling of disharmony. Ojakshaya (decreased ojas) is a condition similar to AIDS/HIV

Research on Ashwagandha has concluded that extracts of the plant has a direct spermatogenic influence on the seminiferous tubules of immature rats presumably by exerting a testosterone-like effect.

Ashwagandha increases hemoglobin (red blood count) and hair melanin.It stabilizes blood sugar and lowers cholesterol.

Systemic Use:

Ashwagandha benefits all parts of the body and can be used as a tonic or in oral form. Several studies have shown that Ashwagandha is useful in addressing the following health problems:

1) Osteoarthritis: A study in 2008 , scientists tested ashwagandhas effects on human cartilage and found that the herb may help protect against inflammation and cartilage damage associated with osteoarthritis.

2) Anxiety: In an animal-based study published in 2000, researchers found that ashwagandha had an anti-anxiety effect similar to that of lorazepam (a medication used to treat anxiety disorders). The herb also appeared to ease depression.

3) Type 2 Diabetes: Ashwagandha may help normalize high blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, according to preliminary, animalbased research published in 2008.

4) Cancer:: : In a 2003 study, tests on human tumor cell lines revealed that ashwagandha may slow the growth of lung, breast, and colon cancer cells.Published in 2007, another study on human cells shows that ashwagandha may inhibit tumor growth without harming normal cells.

5) Anti-Oxident: Ashwagandha used as an antioxidant, as studies have shown that it can eliminate free radicals from your immune system. Free radicals are the agents that cause the breakdown of your body’s tissue, alternatively known as aging.

6).Provide energy: Studies show that supplementing with ashwagandha can provide the energy needed to get through long workouts while also allowing for maximum recovery and cell re-growth.

7) General tonic: Ashwagandha is a tonic, which increases sperm count and sexual potency. In the rural areas vegetable made out of this plant is given to tuberculosis patients. It also increases the iron content in the blood.

ASHWAGANDHA EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN CHEMICALS:

GABA-mimetic activity having anxiolytic effect.

Inhibiting Cholinesterase and thereby retaining Acetylcholine for longer time.

Slowing down of tolerance of the analgesic effects of morphine.

Induction of axon and dendrite outgrowth, there by resulting in neuritis regeneration and synaptic reconstruction.

ASHWAGANDHA IMMUNOSTIMULATORY EFFECT:

Immunity stimulating effect through Macrophages.

Raised antibody titer against Bordetella pertusis strains (Combats Diphtheria).

Protective effect in Cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression.

Beneficial in Ageing and Copper induced lipid peroxidation.

Ashwagandha helping in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

ASHWAGANDHA AS AN ADAPTOGENIC AND ANTI-STRESS AGENT:

Respected as Ginseng in Chronic stress models.

Protective effect in stress induced neuronal degeneration.

Helping to achieve better state to fight against stress.

Prevents stress related ulcer.

ASHWAGANDHA REJUVENATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE ACTION:

Increases libido and sexual function.

Supports female reproductive system, and increases ovarian weight and folliculogenesis.

Ashwagandha is approved as a greatest rejuvenative herb in Indian Herbal System.

Useful in treating arthritis, diabetes and hypertension.

Ashwagandha is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis and it is respected for its phytochemical

ASHWAGANDHA IN CANCER PATIENTS:

Acts as anti-carcinogenic.

Growth inhibitor of human tumor cell lines.

Counteracting mutagenic effect.

Ashwagandha possesses anti-proliferative agent

Respected as a natural source of potent radiosensitizer in chemotherapy.

Recommended in Ascitic Sarcoma.

Useful in Melanoma induced metastasis

Supports DMBA induced Squamous cell carcinoma.

Enhances cellular immune response to mitogens.

Reversing Paclitaxel induced Neutropenia.

Administration:

A paste of Ashwagandha leaves when applied on a local inflammation acts as anti-inflammatory.  The herbal massage oil which includes Ashwagandha herb is useful in many conditions like paralysis, epilepsy, sleeplessness etc.  The preparation of Ashwagandha which is processed with ghee, sugar and honey is a very good aphrodisiac and increases semen quantity, sperm count and mobility. It is effectively used in Erectile dysfunction, low libido and premature ejaculation.  Ashwagandha churna when used regularly helps to improve the conditions like senile debility, rheumatism, in all cases of general debility, nervous exhaustion, brain-fag, low of memory, loss of muscular energy and spermatorrhoea. It increases body energy and vigor. It helps to rebuild the body system which is worn out due to chronic diseases like syphilis, rheumatism etc. It also replenishes the lowered energy of body due to over-work, mental exertion thus preventing early ageing.  A good remedy to balance sweet cravings for vata can be prepared using Ashwagandha. Roast an ounce of Ashwagandha in ghee and add a tablespoon of date sugar. Store in a screw top glass jar in the refrigerator. This can be eaten in the morning about twenty minutes before breakfast, in the mid afternoon— if sweet cravings arise— and at bed time with a cup of hot milk.  Ashwagandha when used regularly, is very useful in emaciated children. It increases body weight and body energy.

Kotakkal Ayurveda - Mother land of modern ayurveda

ashvagandha - Withania somnifera Dunal - Solanaceae

ashvagandha :

General Use:

Therapeutic Uses:

Systemic Use:

Administration:

Medicinal Plants