ASHWAGANDHA
–WONDER HERB OF AYURVEDA
Latin
Name- Withania somnifera
Family-
Solanacea
Common
names- Balada, Vajigadha, Winter Cherry, Indian Ginseng, Ajagandha
Parts
used- root.
Medicinal
Plants have served as a common link between the traditional and modern
medical science as they are the main source of medicaments involved
through out the centuries. Herbal medicine is the most ancient form of
health care known to mankind. Medicinal plants have been widely used for
treatment of various aliments in all cultures through the history.
Ashwagandha
is widely used in Ayurveda, an Indian system of holistic medicine.
Ashwagandha
is a plant in Solanacea or nightshade family. It grows as a shrub,
reaching a height of 170cm. As with the tomato, which also belongs to
this family, Ashwagandha bears yellow flower and red fruit, though its
fruit is berry-like in size and shape
In
Sanskrit Ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse,” indicating
that the herb imparts the vigor and strength of a stallion, and it has
traditionally been prescribed to help people strengthen their immune
system after an illness.
Ashwagandha
root is primarily recognized for its adaptogenic properties. An adaptogen
is a physiological agent with the ability to naturally increase the
body’s resistance to emotional and physical stresses. Ayurvedic
practitioners traditionally use Ashwagandha to promote gentle relaxation
and emotional balance.
Ashwagandha
possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antistress, antioxidant,
immunomodulatory, hemopoietic, aphrodisiac, and rejuvenating properties.
With all these properties, it is used for a wide range of conditions
including arthritic inflammation, respiratory disorders including
emphysema, asthma bronchitis and coughs, nervous disorders and
gynecological disorders. Ashwagandha is considered for all
immuno-compromised diseases including TB and AIDS, chronic upper respiratory
diseases, degenerative symptoms attendant to aging, juvenile
mal-development and growth, chronic neurological diseases especially
anxiety, nervousness, depression and insomnia, weak digestion, fluid
retention caused by lowered body metabolism and last but certainly not
least, for low sexual libido. It is used to enhance sexual potency for both men
and women and improvement in male sexual disorders
such as psychogenic impotence and unexplained infertility.
It is known for its capability to improve endurance against stress,
general resistance against infections and retardation of aging process.
Ayurveda is based on a system of Tridosha or Three Humours which
classifies all individual constitutions of people, diseases, herbs and
other non-herbal remedies and therapies according to whether they are
Vata (air or nerve oriented), Kapha (water or mucoid type) or Pitta (fire
type). Herbs that have pungent, sour, and salty flavors stimulate fire;
herbs that are astringent (drying) and bitter stimulate vata-air, or the
nerve centered humors; herbs that are sweet, salty, and sour stimulate or
increase Kapha-water, or the mucoid humour. In contrast, herbs that are
sweet, sour, and salty flavored ameliorate Vata-air, which means that
they have a particular affinity for the nervous system. Herbs that are
astringent, sweet, and bitter ameliorate Pitta-fire, meaning that they
are soothing and anti-inflammatory. Finally herbs that are pungent,
bitter and astringent ameliorate Kapha-water, which means they tend to increase
digestive fire, expel and dry excessive fluid build up in the system,
including clearing excessive fat from the body, and the accumulation of
cholesterol and other fatty deposits in the veins and arteries of the
body.
Because the primary quality and flavor of Ashwagandha is sharp and
pungent, this indicates that it is warming, raises metabolism, stimulates
digestion, clears mucus, and improves circulation. Ayurveda also
identifies a secondary post-digestive flavor, which for Ashwagandha is
sweet. It is this effect, which is not necessarily directly identified by
one’s sense of taste, which occurs when a substance is converted
into a still purer nutritive extract. Following this, the post digestive
sweet flavor of Ashwagandha represents its deep nutritive, hormonal
properties as well as its ability to strengthen and nourish the nervous
system.
According to Ayurveda, an even deeper and more profound
transformation of food occurs after 7 days. This is when food is
transformed into blood. Only after a month does the most refined essence
of food transform into semen. It is at this deepest level that
Ashwagandha exhibits its profound aphrodisiac properties.
There are several
groups of phytochemical components thought to contribute to the
pharmacological activity of Ashwagandha, such as Withanolides, Alkaloids,
and Sitoindosides.
According to
scientists, Ashwagandha most likely affects multiple body systems to
promote emotional well being, mental sharpness, and physical endurance.
Pharmacological studies indicate the mechanism of action is Withaferin-A,
a primary Withanolides in Ashwagandha, which stimulates neurotransmitter
pathways in the brain. This effect enhances memory and other cognitive
processes.
The bitter leaves are used as a hypnotic in
the treatment of alcoholism and to relax the spasms of the lungs for the
treatment of asthma and emphysema. They can also be made into an
anti-inflammatory poultice and topically applied for boils and
carbuncles. Internally, as with so many other strongly bitter herbs, they
are anthelmintic (clearing worms).
Ashwagandha is available as - Ashwagandha
powder, Ashwagandha tablet, Ashwagandha oil (for external use to massage
which helps in strengthening the muscle and bone tissue) Ashwagandha
ghee.
Caution:
Ashwagandha is
avoided in congestion, during colds and flu, or symptoms of ama
(The
contents in this article are not intended to heal any disorder and should
be taken under supervision of an Ayurvedic physician)
Dr. Beena Vesikar. M.D. Ayurveda (internal
medicine) India.
Founder of Beayurvedic wellness center
located in Farmington
MI.
She offers Ayurvedic consultations, Ayurvedic
therapies, and workshops on Ayurvedic way of healthy living.
For more info visit www.beayurvedic.com or call 248-631-7271.
|