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MD Pathology, MBBS
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Ashwagandham

Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an important herb of the Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. The root of the herb has a distinctive smell that resembles the sweat of a horse, giving it the name Ashwagandha. In the Ayurvedic textbook ‘Bhavaprakasha’, the properties of Ashwagandha are illustrated in below shloka:

गन्धान्ता वाजिनामादिरश्वगन्धा हयाद्वया। वराहकर्णी वरदा बलदा कुष्ठगन्धिनी ||
अश्वगन्धाऽनिलश्लेष्मश्वित्रशोथक्षयापहा । बल्या रसायनी तिक्ता कपायोष्णाऽतिशुक्रला ॥ -भावप्रकाश

Ashwagandha is known to provide aid in managing problems associated with stress and anxiety due to its Rasayana (Rejuvenating) and Vata balancing properties. These properties may also help in diabetes management. It also has Vajikarana (aphrodisiac) property which helps in improving stamina and treats conditions like erectile dysfunction. Root powder of Ashwagandha can be taken with milk to help manage male infertility and erectile dysfunction. It is used as a nervine tonic for various nerve-related problems. It provides aid in the management of stress and anxiety. It stabilizes the body's response to stressful conditions.
One important precaution with Ashwagandha is that it should be avoided during pregnancy as it might increase uterine contractions[2][33][3].

What are the synonyms of Ashwagandham?

Withania somnifera, Indian Ginseng, Ajagandha, Vajigandha, Winter Cherry, Varahkarni, Asgandha[1], syn

What is the source of Ashwagandham?

Plant Based

Recommended Dosage of Ashwagandham

  • Ashwagandham Ark - None

References

  1. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India. Part 1 Volume 1.
  2. Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, et al.An overview on Ashwagandha:A rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda.Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med.2011;8:208-13.
  3. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. “A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults.”Indian J. Psychol Med.2012;34(3):255.
  4. WebMD.Ashwagandha:Uses, Side effects, Interactions, Dosage [Internet]. Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
  5. Moyer AE, Rodin J, Grilo CM, et al. Stress-induced cortisol response and fat distribution in women.Obes Res.1994;2(3):255-262.
  6. Khedgikar V, Kushwaha P, Gautam J, et al. Withaferin A: A proteasomal inhibitor promotes healing after injury and exerts anabolic effect on osteoporotic bone.Cell Death Dis.2013;4:e778.
  7. Shukla KK, Mahdi AA, Mishra V, et al.Withania somnifera improves semen quality by combating oxidative stress and cell death and improving essential metal concentrations.Reprod Biomed Online. 2011;22(5):421-427.
  8. Sachan S, Mishra HS, Yadav KN.Ashwagandha: Solution to stress and insomnia.IJAMY. 2015;8(3):153-159.
  9. Kushwaha S, Betsy A, Chawla P. Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder supplementation in treatment of hypertension. Ethno Med.2012;6(2):111-115.
  10. Modi MB, Donga SB, Dei L. Clinical evaluation of Ashokarishta, Ashwagandha Churna and Praval Pishti in the management of menopausal syndrome. Ayu.2012;33(4):511-6
  11. Gannon JM, Forrest PE, Chengappa KNR. Subtle changes in thyroid indices during a placebo-controlled study of an extract of Withania somnifera in persons with bipolar disorder. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014;5(4):241–245.
  12. Andallu B, Radhika B. Hypoglycemic, diuretic and hypocholesterolemic effect of winter cherry (Withania somnifera, Dunal) root. Indian J Exp Biol. 2000:607-609.
  13. Anwer T, Sharma M, Pillai KK, et al. Effect of Withania somnifera on Insulin Sensitivity in Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Rats.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2008;102(6):498-503.
  14. Anwer T, Sharma M, Pillai KK, Khan G.Protective effect of Withania somnifera against oxidative stress and pancreatic beta-cell damage in type 2 diabetic rats.Acta Pol Phar.2012;69(6):1095-1101.
  15. Pradhan SL, Pradhan PS.Ayurvedic medicine and anaesthesia.Indian J Anaesth. 2011; 55(4): 334–339.
  16. Mahdi AA, Shukla KK, Ahmad MK, et al.Withania somnifera improves semen quality in stress-related male fertility.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2011.
  17. Prince SE, Sonal C, Khan RM. Evaluation of analgesic, antipyretic and ulcerogenic effect of Withaferin A. Int J Integr Biol. 2009;6(2):52–56.
  18. Twaij HAA., Elisha EE, Khalid RM.Analgesic studies on some Iraqi medicinal plants.Int J Crude Drug Res.1989;27:109–112.
  19. Chandra LM.Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Gout.Scientific Basis for Ayurvedic Therapies.Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC.2004;10:167-184.
  20. Giri KR.Comparative study of anti-inflammatory activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) with hydrocortisone in experimental animals (Albino rats).Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies.2016;4(1):78-83.
  21. Nagashayana N, Sankarankutty P, Nampoothiri MRV, et al. Association of l-DOPA with recovery following Ayurveda medication in Parkinson's Disease. J Neurol Sci.2000;176:124-127.
  22. McGeer E, Yasojima K, McGeer PL.Inflammation and the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.British Columbia Medical Journal.2001;43(3):138-141.
  23. Sankar RS, Manivasagam T, Surendran S.Ashwagandha leaf extract:A potential agent in treating oxidative damage and physiological abnormalities seen in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease.Neurosci Lett.2009;17;454(1):11-15.
  24. Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Joshi K.Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine.2017;22(1):96-106.
  25. Gupta A, Wamankar S, Gidwani B, et al.Herbal drugs for thyroid treatment.IJPBS.2016;6(1):62-70.
  26. Ulbricht CE.Natural Standard:Herb and Supplement Guide, An Evidence Based Reference.Elsevier;2010.
  27. Pais P, Villar A, Rull S.Determination of the potency of a novel saw palmetto supercritical CO 2 extract (SPSE) for 5α-reductase isoform II inhibition using a cell-free in vitro test system.Res Rep Urol.2016;8:41-49.
  28. Monograph: Withania somnifera.Alternative Medicine Review.2004;9(2):211-214.
  29. Singh N, Pandey R, Singh N, et.al.Utilization of Ashwagandha(W. somnifera) for development of value added products.2014.Asian J. Dairy & Food Res.2014;33(3):221-225.
  30. Viswaroopan D , Raj AGR, Shailaja U,et.al.Preparation of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera (L.) Dunal) ghee – A practical approach inspired by traditional knowledge.Pharma Innovation.2015;4(4):85-89.
  31. Landge UB, Pawar BK, Choudhari DM,et.al.Preparation of shrikhand using Ashwagandha powder as addictive.J Dairying Foods & HS.2011;30(2):79-84.
  32. Balkrishnan A.Ashwagandha.Ayurved Jadi Buti Rehsya.Danik Bhaskar.2017.
  33. Gaurav N, Kumar A, Tyagi M, et al.Morphology of withania somnifera (distribution, morphology, phytosociology of Withania somnifera L. Dunal).IJCSR.2015;1(7):164-173.
  34. Kaushik MK, Kaul SC, Wadhwa R, et al.Triethylene glycol, an active component of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) leaves, is responsible for sleep induction.PLoS One. 2017; 12(2): e0172508.
  35. Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, et al.Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.J Int Soc Sports Nutr.2015;12:43.
  36. Dongre S, Langade D, Bhattacharyya S.Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in improving sexual function in women: A pilot study.Biomed Res Int. 2015.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.

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