Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha Best 1 Ayurveda product of Niramaya Group is now available for all of you with all the purity and holiness. Not only the product but we brought you some interesting facts of this magical herbs, also.

Also read the Scientific and age old study of proven uses of the herb. Ashwagandha, yet again a very important herb used in Indian Ayurveda since many centuries for its various benefits. Most importantly It has been used to relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration (A Study).

Etymology

Ashwagandha is a Sanskrit word derived using two words ‘Ashwa’ meaning Horse and ‘gandh’ meaning Smell, conclusively it means that Ashwagandha smells like horse, which refers to both its unique smell and ability to increase strength.

Ashwagandha is an herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. In Sanskrit, the word “ashwa” means “horse,” while “gandha” means “smell.”Hence The translation of Ashwagandha is roughly “the smell and strength of a horse,” which alludes to its traditional use to support vitality and a healthy libido.*

Its species name, somnifera, means “sleep-inducing” in Latin. Somnifera indicates its traditional Ayurvedic use for supporting somnolence, or sleepiness.* Ashwagandha’s Hindi name is “asgandh,” another nod to its potent odour that’s reminiscent of horse sweat

An Introduction

The Ashwagandha plant (scientific name Withania somnifera) is a small evergreen shrub that is short and thick with soft leaves and bell flowers that contain orange berries similar in appearance to small tomatoes.

Ashwagandha is native to the Indian subcontinent, specifically the drier areas of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It also grows in parts of Africa, and it can grow in temperate climates, including Western North Carolina, where Gaia Herbs is located.

Ashwagandha A STUDY also known as (Withania somnifera, fam. Solanaceae) is commonly known as “Indian Winter cherry” or “Indian Ginseng”. It is one of the most important herb of used by the India Ayurveda through the ages. Due to its varied properties. Its Rasayana is described as an herbal or metallic preparation that promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health and expands happiness. AN INTRO

Ashwagandha is commonly available as a churna, a fine sieved powder that can be mixed with water, ghee (clarified butter) or honey. It enhances the function of the brain and nervous system and improves the memory. It improves the reproductive system by promoting a healthy sexual and reproductive balance. Being a potent adaptogen, it enhances the body’s flexibility to stress. Ashwagandha improves the body’s defence against disease by improving the cell-mediated immunity. It also possesses potent antioxidant properties that help protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals.

Chemical Composition of Ashwagandha

iThe biologically active chemical constituents of Withania somnifera (WS) include alkaloids (isopelletierine, anaferine, cuseohygrine, anahygrine, etc.), steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins) and saponins (Mishra, 2000 et al., 2000). Sitoindosides and acylsterylglucosides in Ashwagandha are anti-stress agents. Active principles of Ashwagandha, for instance the sitoindosides VII-X and Withaferin-A, have been shown to have significant anti-stress activity against acute models of experimental stress (Bhattacharya et al., 1987). Many of its constituents support immunomodulatory actions (Ghosal et al., 1989). The aerial parts of Withania somnifera yielded 5-dehydroxy withanolide-R and withasomniferin-A (Atta-ur-Rahman et al., 1991). A STUDY

Uses of Ashwagandha

Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine practiced in India can be traced back to 6000 BC (Charak Samhita, 1949). For most of these 6000 years Ashwagandha has been used as a Rasayana. The root of Ashwagandha is regarded as tonic, aphrodisiac, narcotic, diuretic, anthelmintic, astringent, thermogenic and stimulant. The root smells like horse (“ashwa”), that is why it is called Ashwagandha (on consuming it gives the power of a horse).

It is commonly used for healthy growth in children (when given with milk, it is the best tonic for children), to eradicate weakness from old age, rheumatism, vitiated conditions of vata, leucoderma, constipation, insomnia, nervous breakdown, goiter etc. (Sharma, 1999).

The paste formed when roots are crushed with water is applied to reduce the inflammation at the joints (Bhandari, 1970). It is also locally applied in spots, ulcers and painful swellings (Kritikar and Basu, 1935). The root in combination with other drugs is prescribed for snake venom as well as in scorpion-sting. It also helps in leucorrhoea, boils, pimples, flatulent colic, worms and piles (Misra, 2004). A STUDY

The Nagori Ashwagandha is the supreme among all Ashwagandha varieties. Maximum benefit appears when fresh Ashwagandha powder is used (Singh, 1983).

The leaves are bitter and are recommended in fever, painful swellings. The flowers are astringent, depurative, diuretic and aphrodisiac. The seeds are anthelmintic and combined with astringent and rock salt remove white spots from the cornea.

A Drug in the name of Ashwagandharishta prepared from it is used in hysteria, anxiety, memory loss, syncope, etc. It also acts as a stimulant and increases the sperm count (Sharma, 1938).

Revelations of Scientific Studies on Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, a herb found in the Indian Sub continent is often compared well with Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng) and Panax Ginseng (Chinese / Korean Ginseng) in its adaptogenic properties, and hence it is popularly known as Indian Ginseng (Singh et al., 2010).

Verious studies on the biological model of animals for the adaptogenic / anti-stress properties of Ashwagandha (Abbas and Singh, 2006; Kalsi et al., 1987; Singh et al., 1976, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1993a, 1993b, 2003; (Singh, 1995a, 1995b, 2006, 2008) have shown it to be effective in increasing the stamina (physical endurance) and preventing stress induced gastric ulcer, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity and mortality.

A conclusive dosage of aqueous solution of Ashwagandha root was used at 100 mg/kg/oral dosage. The results indicate a significant increase in the plasma corticosterone level, phagocytic index and avidity index in rats subjected to cold swimming stress.

The results of above studies lend support to the hypothesis of tonics, vitalizers and rejuvenators of Ayurveda which indicate clinical use of Withania somnifera in the prevention and treatment of many stress induced diseases like arteriosclerosis, premature ageing, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension and malignancy (Singh, 1986, 2005; Singh and Misra, 1993).

The Indian Ayurveda has used this magical Herb through the centuries while the modern science is still conduting the trials to know the potency levels and the chemical composition responsible for its various uses for whichb it was successfully used through the ages in India while now in present day, also.

Conclusion of Test reports of Ashwagandha made on Mice

Some out of the various tests conducted on mice to know the exact usage properties of the Ashwagandha by the modern science are as mentioned.

Ashwagandha has anti-stress properties.
Its treatment prevents, decrease of adrenal cortisol and ascorbic acid which occurs due to Physical stress.
Ashwagandha has Anti-ulcerogenic effect hence useful in the prevention of stress-induced ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract.
It Effects on reduction of leucocytosis.
Ashwagandha has Anabolic effects, to help in increase in the body weights of thin persons. A study
Helps decreasing the toxic compounds effect on the body. A Study
Has Anti-tumour effect. The drug can be used as an adjunct to cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Besides having an anti-cancer effect it will also reduce the side effects of anti-cancer agents, It also improves the white cell count (WBC) and function, which are depleted in the chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer. A study1, Singh and Gilca, 2010, Abbas et al. 2004
Effective for Central Nervous System, has Cognition Promoting Effect– The cognition-promoting effect of Medhya Rasayanas is best seen in children with memory deficits, or when memory is compromised following head injury, or a prolonged illness and in old age Singh and Udupa., 1993
Effective for curing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases- There are dozens of studies that show that it slows, stops, reverses or removes neuritic atrophy and synaptic loss. Therefore Ashwagandha can be used to treat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and other neurodegenerative diseases at any stage of the disease, even before a person has been diagnosed and is still in the state of mild forgetfulness, etc. Glycowithanolides withaferin- A and sitoindosides VII–X isolated from the roots of Ashwagandha significantly reversed ibotenic acid induced cognitive defects in Alzheimer’s disease model Bhattacharya et al., 1995).

Ashwagandha has been described as a nervine tonic Singh et al., 1988, 1993) and hence beneficial in resolving brain related diseases.Nagashyana et al., 2000).

Ashwagandha’s Potential as neurodegeneration and neuroregenerative -The beneficial effect of Ashwagandha root extract might be due to its GABA mimetic activity. Ashwagandha, its constituents and the metabolites of its constituents promote the growth of nerves after taking it for 7 days.

Studies reveal that the methanol extract of Ashwagandha (5 mg/ml) significantly increased the percentage of cells with neurites in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. Kuboyama et al, 2006).

A study also showed that the methanol extract of Ashwagandha promotes the formation of dendrites Kulkarni et al., 1993).

Anxiolytic effect of Ashwagandha – :Ashwagandha induced a calming anxiolytic effect that was comparable to the drug Lorazepam in all three standard Anxiety tests:
Ashwagandha also has antidepressant effect, comparable with that induced by imipramine. The investigations support the use of Ashwagandha as a mood stabilizer in clinical conditions of anxiety and depression Abdel-Magied et al., 2001.
Anti-inflammatory effect found in Ashwagandha due to Withaferin :-Withaferin A and 3-b-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrowithanolide F isolated from Withania somnifera show promising antibacterial, antitumoral, immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties Budhiraja and Sudhir, 1987).
Anti-arthritic effect:– Ashwagandha is an analgesic that soothes nervous system from pain response. Twajj et al., 1989).. The powerful anti-arthritic properties Singh et al. 1984, 1986) of Ashwagandha are now widely accepted and documented; it is furthermore found to be effective as antipyretic as well as analgesic also.

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Thus, the above findings clearly indicate that the traditional use of Ashwagandha especially in stress related diseases, neuronal disorders and cancers has a logical and scientific basis. Moreover the Herb is used to increase libdo, for strength in Joint pains, also helping in sleep and making mood.

But all alone usage of Drugs in any form or the Herb is not only responsible for providing you the best in life. If you want to know how to achieve the good health than you may surely visit-