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Difference between revisions of "Withania somnifera - Ashwagandha"

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[[File:ashwagandha.jpg|thumb|right|''Ashwagandha'']]
 
[[File:ashwagandha.jpg|thumb|right|''Ashwagandha'']]
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'''Withania somnifera''' is a herb which is being used in ayurvedic medicines since our ancient times. It plays a major role in the regulation of '''vata dosha''' which is one of the fundamental bioelement.
  
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==Uses==
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{{Uses|Weight loss}}, {{Uses|Rheumatism}}, {{Uses|Joint pain}}, {{Uses|Sexual debility}}, {{Uses|Thyroid}}, {{Uses|Inflammation}}, {{Uses|Pimples}}, {{Uses|Diarrhea}}, {{Uses|Sore throats}}, {{Uses|Increases strength}}, {{Uses|Rejuvinative}}, {{Uses|Insomnia}}, {{Uses|Weakness}}, {{Uses|Aphrodisiac}}.
  
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'''Ashwagandha''' is a herb which is being used in ayurvedic medicines since our ancient times. The scientific name of this herb is '''''Withania somnifera'''''. In '''''Tridosha''''' it plays a major role in the regulation of '''''vata dosha''''' which is one of the fundamental bioelement.  
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==Parts Used==
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{{Parts Used|Dried folaige}}.
  
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==Chemical Composition==
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The ashwagandha consists of alkaloids and steroidal lactones. Withanine is the main alkaloid, where as somniferine, somnine, somniferinine, withananine, pseudo-withanine, tropine, pseudo tropine, choline, cuscohygrine, isopelletierine, anaferine, anahydrine<ref name="chemical composition"/>
  
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This fantabulous herb has a various health benefits, some of them are listed below:
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==Common names==
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{{Common names|kn= ಅಂಗಾರ ಬೇರು Angara beru, ಅಶ್ವಗಂಧ Ashwagandha|ml=  Amukkuram,  Pevetti|sa=  Ashvagandha|ta= Amukkira |te=  Ashwagandha|hi= Asgandh,  Ashwagandha|en=Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng|mr=Ashwagandha, Askanda|gu= Aksand,  Asvagandha}}
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<ref name="Common names"/>
  
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#The root of this herb has an adaptogen quality, which strengthens our immune system and controls anxiety.
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==Properties==
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#This herb can be used in healing wounds and joint pains.
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Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.
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#Consuming this herb as a dietary supplement can help us in fighting with 'insomania' which is commonly called as 'sleeplessness'.
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===Dravya===
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#It contains a various compounds which are collectively called as 'withanolides' which impedes the growth of cancer cells.
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#Due to its anti-oxidant features, it can also be used in anti-aging and scalp therapies.
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===Rasa===
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Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
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===Guna===
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Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Tikshna (Sharp)
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===Veerya===
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Ushna (Hot)
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===Vipaka===
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Katu (Pungent)
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===Karma===
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Kapha, Vata
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===Prabhava===
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==Habit==
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{{Habit|Herb}}
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==Identification==
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===Leaf===
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{{Leaf|Simple||The leaves are alternate, simple, margins entire to slightly wavy, broadly ovate, obovate or oblong, 30-80 mm long and 20-50 mm broad}}<ref name="Leaf"/>
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===Flower===
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{{Flower|Bisexual|2-5 mm long|Yellow|5|The 1-7 inconspicuous bisexual flowers appear at the leaf nodes on 2-5 mm long stalks, Flowering season is July-September}}
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===Fruit===
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{{Fruit|Oblong|5-8 mm|The fruit is a hairless spherical berry|Orange-red to red when ripe and enclosed by the enlarged calyx|-|Fruiting season is July-September}}
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===Other features===
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==List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used==
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* [[Ashwagandhadi lehyam]]
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* [[Ashwagandharishta]]
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* [[Balashwagandhadi taila]]
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<ref name="Ayurvedic preparations"/>
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==Where to get the saplings==
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==Mode of Propagation==
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{{Propagation|Seeds}}, {{Propagation|Cuttings}}.
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==How to plant/cultivate==
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A fairly easily grown plant, it requires a warm sheltered position in full sun and a well-drained moderately fertile soil<ref name="How to plant/cultivate"/>
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==Commonly seen growing in areas==
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{{Commonly seen|Open places}}, {{Commonly seen|Cold areas}}.
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==Photo Gallery==
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<gallery class="left" caption="" widths="140px" heights="140px">
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Amukkira (Tamil- அமுக்கிரா) (21775623692).jpg
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Amukkuram (Malayalam- അമുക്കുരം) (21761211786).jpg
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File:Withania somnifera kz03.jpg|Leaves
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An image of Withania somnifera.JPG
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 +
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File:Withania somnifera 04.jpg|Flower
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Ashvagandha.jpg
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File:Withania somnifera MHNT.BOT.2012.10.13.jpg|Fruits
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</gallery>
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==References==
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<references>
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<ref name="chemical composition">[http://www.cricketfundas.com/health-fundas/ashwagandha-chemical-constituents-uses-and-synonyms/ Chemical constituents"]</ref>
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<ref name="Common names">[https://sites.google.com/site/indiannamesofplants/via-species/w/withania-somnifera Common names]</ref>
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<ref name="Leaf">[http://pza.sanbi.org/withania-somnifera Plant description]</ref>
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<ref name="Ayurvedic preparations">[https://easyayurveda.com/2014/06/22/ashwagandha-withania-somnifera-benefits-dose-side-effects/ Ayurvedic preparations]</ref>
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<ref name="How to plant/cultivate">[https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Withania+somnifera Cultivation details]</ref>
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</references>
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==External Links==
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* [https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/withania-somnifera Withania somnifera on science direct]
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* [https://nootriment.com/ashwagandha-leaves/ Withania somnifera on nootriment.com]
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* [http://withaniasomnifera.com/ Withania somnifera on withaniasomnifera.com]
  
 
[[Category:Herbs]]
 
[[Category:Herbs]]
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[[Category:Ayurvedic herbs that don't have seed photos]]
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[[Category:Solanaceae]]

Latest revision as of 16:44, 20 May 2021

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera is a herb which is being used in ayurvedic medicines since our ancient times. It plays a major role in the regulation of vata dosha which is one of the fundamental bioelement.

Uses

Weight loss, Rheumatism, Joint pain, Sexual debility, Thyroid, Inflammation, Pimples, Diarrhea, Sore throats, Increases strength, Rejuvinative, Insomnia, Weakness, Aphrodisiac.

Parts Used

Dried folaige.

Chemical Composition

The ashwagandha consists of alkaloids and steroidal lactones. Withanine is the main alkaloid, where as somniferine, somnine, somniferinine, withananine, pseudo-withanine, tropine, pseudo tropine, choline, cuscohygrine, isopelletierine, anaferine, anahydrine[1]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada ಅಂಗಾರ ಬೇರು Angara beru, ಅಶ್ವಗಂಧ Ashwagandha
Hindi Asgandh, Ashwagandha
Malayalam Amukkuram, Pevetti
Tamil Amukkira
Telugu Ashwagandha
Marathi Ashwagandha, Askanda
Gujarathi Aksand, Asvagandha
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Ashvagandha
English Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng

[2]

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Tikshna (Sharp)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Prabhava

Habit

Herb

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple The leaves are alternate, simple, margins entire to slightly wavy, broadly ovate, obovate or oblong, 30-80 mm long and 20-50 mm broad

[3]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Bisexual 2-5 mm long Yellow 5 The 1-7 inconspicuous bisexual flowers appear at the leaf nodes on 2-5 mm long stalks, Flowering season is July-September

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
Oblong 5-8 mm The fruit is a hairless spherical berry Orange-red to red when ripe and enclosed by the enlarged calyx - Fruiting season is July-September

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

[4]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

A fairly easily grown plant, it requires a warm sheltered position in full sun and a well-drained moderately fertile soil[5]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Open places, Cold areas.

Photo Gallery

  • Amukkira (Tamil- அமுக்கிரா) (21775623692).jpg
  • Amukkuram (Malayalam- അമുക്കുരം) (21761211786).jpg

  • Leaves

  • An image of Withania somnifera.JPG

  • Flower

  • Ashvagandha.jpg

  • Fruits

References

  1. ↑ Chemical constituents"
  2. ↑ Common names
  3. ↑ Plant description
  4. ↑ Ayurvedic preparations
  5. ↑ Cultivation details

External Links

Retrieved from "https://ayurwiki.org/index.php?title=Withania_somnifera_-_Ashwagandha&oldid=54864"