Botanical Name: Withania Somnifera
English Name: ashwaghandha, Indian ginseng, Indian winter cherry
Hindi Name: ashwaghandha
Popular Name(s): ashwaghandha
Kingdom: Plantae
Parts Use Leaves, fruit, seeds, roots
Habitat: India, Yemen, China, Nepal
Nutrients:
antioxidants, iron, tannins, nitrates, potassium, glucose, fatty acids, flavonoids, lactones, acyl steryl glucosides. Also contains essential steroidal alkaloids (somniferine, sominine, anferine, and withanolides)
Properties:
Antioxidant, sleep inducing, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, anticonvulsant, antibacterial, immune boosting
About the Plant
Ashwagandha, or Indian ginseng, is a small plant that grows 35-75cm tall. Its berries and roots are used used to make herbal medicines. It is a plant native to India, Yemen, China, and Nepal. In Ayurveda this “king of all herbs” is used as a rayasna, which boosts mental and physical health and keeps you looking young and happy. Ashwagandha is taken internally and is also great topically for the skin. It is abundant in antioxidants that fight the harmful free radicals that are produced from exposure to UV radiation from the sun. This anti-aging root prevents dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. Ashwagandha has also been used in Ayurveda for protecting from skin cancer.