Ashwagandha is one of the Rasayana (rejuvenator) and Vata-Kapha Shamaka herb described in Ayurveda. It is immune booster and nourishing herb to the whole body.

Properties

Botanical Name	Withania somnifera Dunal.
Family Name	Salanaceae
English Name	Winter Cherry
Hindi Name	Asganda (due to presence of horse like smell in its unripe root)
Synonyms	Varahakarni Varda Balda Kusthagandha

Habit

• Ashwagandha is perennial shrub of 1 to 5 ft average height with radial
• branches from stem.
• Leaves are dull green, alternate, 2 to 4 inch long with whitish hairs.
• Flowers are small, yellowish green and bell shaped.

Chemical composition

• Withaniol
• Hentriacontane
• Phytosterol

Action on Dosha

Vata-Kapha Shamaka

Rasa Panchaka

Rasa	Tikta (bitter) Katu (pungent) Madhura (sweet)
Guna	Laghu (light to digest) Snigadha (unctuous)
Virya	Ushna (hot)
Vipaka	Madhura (sweet)

Useful part : Root

The most useful part of Ashwagandha is its root.

Dose

3 to 5 gm powder mix with milk and sugar

References

1. http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e-Nighantu/bhavaprakashanighantu/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withania_somnifera