Ashwagandha, withania or Indian ginseng: properties, benefits and how to take it

What is ashwagandha or withania

Ashwagandha is the name that the Ayurvedic tradition gives to the withania (Withania somnifera), also known as orovale.

Family: Nightshade.Names: ashwagandha, withania, bufera, indian ginseng, orovale, oroval, orvala, nightshade, henbane, devil’s tomato, bladder, erva moura sonifera, box.Habitat: plant with a very wide habitat, although it seems to be native to India.Composition: Contains withanolides, lactose and steroids.

How is ashwagandha

The ashwagandha or withania belongs to the family of nightshade. These are the characteristics of the ashwagandha plant:

Bush: is diffusesomewhat lignified.Leaves: the leaves are oval and hairy.Flowers: are axillaryvery numerous and greenish corollaBerries: sphericalfleshy and bright red. Flavor: Ashwagandha has a spicy flavor, which can be sweet, and displays a strong and hot energy.

It spans the India, Pakistan, Middle East and North Africa, but it also reaches the Andalusian, Levantine and Balearic coasts, where it is rare. Blooms in late spring and summer.

In Ayurveda it is considered a great medicinal plant: used to balance constitutions (dosha) vata and kapha.

The ayurvedic medicine indicates it above all as a tonic and adaptogen for physical weakness and mental exhaustion. Hence, there are those who know it as the “indian ginseng”.

It is also the main component of certain Ayurvedic remedies called rasayanasindicated to strengthen the body and slow aging.

Properties and benefits of ashwagandha

for medicinal purposes fresh and dried berries, leaves and root are used. Contains active alkaloids, lactones (withanoloids), flavonoids and mineral salts.

It is prescribed as a tonic and restorative, regulator of the nervous system and as a remedy to combat insomnia and stress.

As a restorative, ashwagandha It is recommended for older people who suffer from episodes of forgetfulness and disorientationand to try to reduce restlessness and fears. Due to its adaptogenic capacity, withania is also considered a good ally against work stress or family concernsto reduce nervous irritation and restlessness and promote rest. It can also contribute to strengthen the capacity for attention and concentration, especially in hyperactive people, and it has been used to calm nervous migraine.In addition, for his high iron content ashwagandha has been integrated into herbal preparations for anemiathe weakness and the asthenia. In India it is recommended as a tonic to recover after an episode of illness and nervous breakdown.

According to some clinical laboratory studies, ashwagandha or withania could be useful as a regulator of the immune systemsince it can stimulate the bactericidal activity of macrophages; as hypolipidemic, by being able to reduce the concentration of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides; and as an anticancer.

The ability of the ashwagandha root extract to raise testosterone level; in the Ayurvedic tradition this “Indian ginseng” was used as aphrodisiac and to remedy the sexual dysfunction and the male infertility. However, these assumptions should be confirmed with more studies.

How to take ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has been available in Spanish herbalists for a few years, although it is imported and often difficult to obtain. Although some market the leaves and the root, tablets are usually easier to find.

Refering to daily dose, 2 or 3 a day, on an empty stomach, are enough to notice the benefits of ashwagandha.

In India fresh or dried berries are chewed, especially in periods of convalescence and physical weakness.

with dry leaves An infusion is prepared from withania –generally with complementary plants and that compensate for its bitterness–, and with the root, decoctions.

Precautions for use and contraindications

As its name says, it has a notable sleeping effect, so it is not recommended in high doses, nor in pregnant women or people with psychiatric problems, without
doctor’s advice. In general, ashwagandha should be avoided in the pregnancy and lactation, or if they are taken sedatives or barbiturates.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”