Basonym of Drug
Ashwagandha
Main Synonym
- Balya
- Vajikari
- Vajigandha
- Varahakarni
- Turangagandha
- Hayagandha
- Kushthagandhi
Regional Name
- Bengali: Ashwagandha
- Gujarati: Asandha
- Hindi: Asgandha
- Kannada: Ashwagandhi
- Tamil: Amukara
- Telugu: Penneru
- English: Winter Cherry
Botanical Name
Withania somnifera Dunal
Family
Solanaceae
Classification (Gana)
- Aacharya Charaka: Balya and Brimhaniya Mahakashaya, Madhurskandha
External Morphology
0.5 to 2-3 meter high shrub
Useful Parts
Leaves, Root, Alkali
Important Phytoconstituent
Withaferine, Withanolide, Somnirol, Somnitol
Rasa Panchak
- Apakva Phala:
- Rasa: Tikta, Katu, Kashya
- Guna: Laghu, Snigdha
- Virya: Ushna
- Vipaka: Katu
Action
Vatakaphahara
Therapeutic Indication
- Balya (stamina booster)
- Rasayana (rejuvenation)
- Sukrala (aphrodisiac)
Therapeutic Uses
- Sandhivata (osteoarthritis) - Ashwagandha powder with milk is beneficial.
- Hridroga - Paste of Ashwagandha root, mixed with jaggery, given with lukewarm water for cardiac diseases.
- Swasa - Ashwagandha alkali preparation with honey and ghee is beneficial in breathlessness or asthma.
- Anindra - Ashwagandha powder with sugar and ghee at night is useful in insomnia.
Dose
Powder - 3-5 gm
Formulations
- Ashwagandharista
- Ashwagandha Kshar
- Aswagandhadi Churna
Adverse Effect
Not Known