Aswaganda: The power to you

 

    

Aswaganda is commonly known as Winter cherry. According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Aswaganda is one of the most potent aphrodisiac herbs found. The herb promotes sexual potency and also improves mental strength. Nowadays the herb is also used as a sedative. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Aswaganda in conditions like Insomnia (nidranasa), Emaciation (Sosa) etc owing to it’s properties like Balya(Promotes strength ), Rasayana(Rejuvenative ) and also Vata Kapha hara action as such condition is caused mainly by the aggrevation of Vata and Kapha doshas. Modern studies showed that the herb contains Phytoconstituents like Somniferine, withainine etc and it aids in it’s sedative and hypnotic actions.

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Withania somnifera   

Family :  Solanaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

Root 

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Balya varga (promotes strength )

Susruta Samhita – not mentioned gana

Pharmacological action

Sedative 

Antiseptic 

Antitumor 

Hypnotic 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

Balya (Promotes strength  )

Vranahara ( heals ulcers)

Kandughna (Beneficial for reducing itching)

Krimighna (Used for treating worm infestation )

Jwaraghna (Reduces fever )

Therapeutic indications

Emaciation (Sosha)- Ghee prepared from Aswaganda is taken daily at morning time at a dose of 10g.

Dyspnoea(Swasa ) - The alkali(Kshara) of Aswaganda is taken along with honey and ghee for immediate alleviation of Dyspnoea.

 Insomnia (Nidranasa)- Aswaganda powder is mixed with sugar and ghee and is taken internally to reduce insomnia.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 5 g

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

Aswagandadi kwatha

Aswagandarishta

Balaswagandadi taila

Vajikarana ghrtha 

Morphology :

A wild perennial herb with branched root system. Stems are aerial and erect. Leaves are cauline and ovate shaped. Inflorescence is axillary umbellate type. Flowers are greenish yellow. Fruits are small berry.

Vernacular names of Aswaganda

English – Winter cherry 

Hindi- Asagandh

Malayalam – Amukkuram

Sanskrit -Aswaganda 

Synonyms of Aswaganda

Vrusha

Gandapatri

Varahakarni

Putrada 

Rasapanchaka of Aswaganda

Rasa- Tikta (bitter) Kashaya (Astringent ) 

Guna-  Laghu (Light)

Vipaka- Madhura(Sweet)

Virya- Ushna (hot)

अश्वागन्धाऽनिल श्लेष्माश्वित्रशोथक्षयापहा

बल्या रसायनी तिक्ताकषायोष्णाऽतिशुक्रला ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Guducyadi varga-shloka 190)

  Aswaganda alleviates Vata and Kapha dhoshas. The herb have excellent Aphrodisiac and Rejuvanative properties and is used in many Vrishya and Rasayana preparations. It is used to treat conditions like Insomnia, emaciation etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb to Aswaganda to as a strength promoter and immune booster owing to it’s Balya property. Ayurvedatarian prepares Chyavanaprasa for immune boosting and Aswaganda is one of the ingredients in the formulation.

Researches on Aswaganda

https://www.samedaysupplements.com/blog/supplement-reviews/what-is-ashwagandha/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw--2aBhD5ARIsALiRlwDTgBXBL3kV-s86uRxfIl6Xt0AaZHcJAPetgDqhYzMqBih50eK8gZoaAkswEALw_wcB

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/

Frequently asked Questions

What are the uses of Aswaganda churna?

According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Aswaganda churna can be used to increase Strength and also for maintaining good sleep. It is given in case if Insomnia.

What is the Dosage of Aswagandarishta?

          Aswagandarishta should be taken under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic physician. Normal dose is 20 ml for adults.