Medicine Traditions
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Brief Overview of Traditional Medicine
    • Timeline
    • Authors and Sources
    • Glossaries
    • Articles on Traditional Medicine
    • Photos
    • Medicine Pictures
    • Substitute Medicines
  • Theory
  • Materia Medica
    • Ayurvedic Materia Medica
    • Chinese Materia Medica
    • Tibetan Materia Medica
    • Unani Materia Medica
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine FREE
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine PRO >
      • *Symphytum, Comfrey
    • Animal Materia Medica
    • Mineral Materia Medica
    • Chinese Classification
    • Western Classification
    • Humoral Medicine
    • Herbal Combinations
  • Formulas
  • Treatment
    • Types of Treatment in Traditional Medicine
    • Treatment of Specific Conditions
    • Diseases and Formulas
  • Patient Resources
  • Links & Texts
  • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Blog
Sentry Page Protection
Please Wait...

Withania, Ashwaganda

Winter Cherry
Ashwaganda (Ayurveda)
Asgandh (Unani)
Amukura (Siddha)

Picture
Picture
Picture
De plantis exoticis libri duo, Alpini, 1629

Flora Graeca, Sibthrop, Smith, 1819

Picture
Withania
(Calcutta Unani College)

Botanical name:
Withania somnifera (syn. Physalis somniferum)

Parts used:
Root
There are 4 Grades commonly differentiated on the market:
  A. 7cm or more long, white internally
  B. 5cm long, white internally
  C. 3–4cm long
  D. small rootlets, slightly yellowish.

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, neutral in respect of moisture. Sweet

Classification:
3H. LACTAGOGUE    3I. APHRODISIACS     3J. INCREASE SEMEN
N. Tonics

Uses:
1. Tonifies the Spleen, Increases Qi:
-Fatigue, Poor Appetite, poor Digestion, weakness
-growth promoter in children
-tonic to mother and fetus during Pregnancy (avoid excessive doses)
-enhances Immunity and increases disease resistance
-adjunct in many chronic diseases including Rheumatism and Arthritis, Hepatitis, AIDS.
-restores strength after chronic illness and during convalescence
-altitude sickness
-Rasayana (tonic to the 7 Body Tissues)

2. Warms and Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Aphrodisiac; Impotence
-Male and Female Sterility (taken for several days following menstruation).
-Premature Aging and Senility; Neuro-degenerative diseases, Parkinson's, Dementia etc.
-regarded as promoting Longevity.

3. Regulates Qi, Calms the Mind:
-Nervousness, Irritability, Alcoholism
-Anxiety, mild Depression; Mental Illness including Schizophrenia
-Insomnia associated with Stress.

4. Moves the Blood, Clears Wind-Damp, Resolves Swellings:
-Scrofula, Rheumatism and Tumors
-auxiliary in Cancer treatment; benefits immunity and has direct anti-cancer activity against various Cancer cell lines

5. Resists Poison:
-Traditionally used in Scorpion sting.
   
6. Benefits Sight:
-strengthens the Sight (combined with suitable ingredients)
   
7. Externally:
-applied to obstinate Ulcers and Rheumatic Swellings.
-Scrofula and glandular swellings, apply a paste of the fresh green root made into a paste with cow urine or warm water.
-in various skin diseases, the powdered root is mixed with oil and applied.
-a paste is made with milk to apply to the breasts to keep their shape
-powder is mixed with milk and applied to sagging breasts
-externally, the oil is applied to promote growth of the penis
-also used to restore a relaxed vagina


DOSE:
Often taken with Milk for women and children; often taken with Ghee and Honey as a restorative tonic, in old age, chronic debility, impotence and senility.
Of the Powder: 500mg–6 grams;
In Decoction: 3–9 (to 12) grams;
Of the Tincture (1:3 in 45% alcohol): 6–15mls per day;
Of the Ash: 1–2 grams;

COMMENT:
Withania is regarded as the best tonic in all Vata (Wind) disorders and for Vata constitution. Used where Wind is affecting the bones, joints, back, nerves and colon.

CORRECTIVE:
1. Tragacanth
2. Gum Arabic (Unani)

SUBSTITUTE:
1. Centaurea behen (Unani)
2. Ginseng

Main Combinations:
General Tonic:
1. Debility, Weakness, Emaciation, Digestive debility:
i. Withania with Long Pepper (Long Pepper enhances its tonic effects)
ii. Withania with Ginger, Long Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamon (as in Withania Powder)
iii. Withania, Asparagus Shatavari (5 parts each), Triphala (15 parts), Trikatu (2 parts)
2. Immune deficiency:
i. Withania with Astragalus
ii. Withania with Chebula, Tinospora
iii. Withania with Ginseng, Ganoderma (Ling Zhi)
iv. Withania, Sida cordifolia, Licorice
v.
Withania with Bdellium (Guggulu), Licorice

Nerve and Brain Tonic:
3. Nerve disorders with deficiency and aggravated Wind:
i. Withania with Centella, Calamus, Bacopa
ii. Withania, Chebulic Myrobalan, Sesame seed
4. Tonic for Wind disorders:
i. Withania, Chebulic Myrobalan
ii. Withania, Peony, Mistletoe
iii. Withania, Sesame seed, Licorice
iv. Withania, Chebulic Myrobalan, Aloeswood, Nutmeg, Clove
5. Brain tonic:
i. Withania, Walnut
ii. Withania, Peony, Mistletoe
iii. Withania, Frankincense, Cyperus Rotundus
iv. Withania with Centella, Chebulia Myrobalan
v. Withania, Chebula, Frankincense, Calamus
vi. for the aged, Withania with Ginkgo leaf, Rosemary, Basil, Siberian Ginseng
vii. Withania with Centella, Bacopa, Chebula, Indian Spikenard
6. Tonic for those studying or doing excess mental work:
i. Withania with Centella
ii. Withania with Rosemary, Sage
iii. Withania with Bacopa with Calamus and Honey
7. To enhance Memory:
i. Withania with Bacopa and Calamus
ii. Withania, Centella, Chebula, Indian Spikenard
iii. Withania with Bacopa, Centella, Oroxylum, Chebula, Indian Spikenard
iv. Withania, Bacopa, Centella, Indian Spikenard, Almond, Triphala
v. Withania, Bacopa, Almond, Date, Black Pepper made into an Electuary with Honey (Unani)

Reproductive Tonic:
8. As a strengthening tonic, for Impotence, Infertility and Senility:
i. mix Withania with ghee and honey
ii. Withania with Chebulic Myrobalan, Almond, Licorice mixed in ghee and honey
iii. Withania, Shilajit, Asparagus root
iv. Withania with Tribulus, Mucuna, Black Sesame seed, Frankincense (Ayurveda)
9. Reproductive tonic, for Males:
i. Withania, Orchis, Clove, Nutmeg
ii. Withania, Red Ginseng, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo
iii. Withania with Shilajit, Mucuna, Zinc Bhasma (oxide)
iv. Withania with Cordyceps, Solomans Seal, Asparagus racemosus, Orchis (as in Gso Byed 6 Pa of Tibetan Medicine)
v. Withania with Celastrus with Nutmeg, Saffron, Cinnamon, Costus, Asparagus root, Orchis
vi. Withania with Dodder seed, Asparagus root, Pyrethrum, Nutmeg, Salep (Orchis),
10. Reproductive tonic, for Females:
i. Withania with Dang Gui, Paeonia Bai Shao, Morinda Bai Ji Tian, Dioscorea Shan Yao
ii. Withania with Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Licorice, Sida cordifolia
iii. Withania with Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Rose, Cyperus rotundus
iv. Withania with Lotus Stamen Lian Xu, Asparagus root
v. Withania with Plumbago, Chlorophytum, Catechu, Cumin, Cinnamon, Iron Bhasma, Red Coral
11. Female Infertility:
i. Withania, Psoralea, Sida cordifolia (Ayurveda)
ii. Withania with Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Rose
12. To promote Breast development:
i. Scindapsus with Withania, Calamus, Costus
ii. To tone and firm the breasts, Symplocos racemosa with Withania, Iron sulphate, decocted in Sesame oil and applied
13. As an Aphrodisiac:
i. Withania with Mucuna
ii. Withania with Salep (Orchis)
iii. Withania with Yohimbine
iv. Withania with Argyreia root, Mucuna, Leptadenia, Pyrethrum root
v. Withania with Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Ginseng, Yohimbine
vi. Withania with Shilajit, Zinc Bhasma (oxide)
14. To increase Sperm:
i. Withania taken with Milk
ii. Withania with Sesame seed, Almond, mixed with Ghee
iii. Withania with Salep (Orchis)
iv. Withania with Asparagus root, Licorice, Pistachio
v. Wiathnia, Shailjit, Zinc Bhasma
15. Spermatorrhea:
i. Withania with Long Pepper
ii. Withania with Schisandra
iii. Withania with Tribulus, Sesame, Mucuna mixed with Honey and Ghee (Ayurveda)

Childrens Tonic:
16. Tonic for Children
i. Withania, Emblic Myorbalan, Asparagus Shatavari,
ii. Withania, Licorice, Almond
iii. Withania, Triphala, Date, Almond, Sesame Seed
iv. Withania (10 parts), Centella (5 parts), Calamus (1 part)
17. Childhood nutritional impairment with fever, poor appetite, Withania with. Picrorrhiza, Asparagus, Triphala

Arthritic disorders
17. Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis:
i. Withania with Cyperus rotundus
ii. Withania with Ginger, Frankincense, Turmeric
iii. Withania with Bdellium, Frankincense, Turmeric
iv. Withania, Frankincense, Cyperus rotundus, Zinc oxide (Bhasma)
v. Withania, Chebulic Myrobalan, Shilajit
vi. Withania with Celastrus, Bdellium, Frankincense
vi. Withania with Tanacetum umbelliferum, Orchis, Ginger, Colchicum, Coriander, Ammi
vii. Withania with Tanacetum umbelliferum, Colchicum (Sweet), Galangal, China root, Ginger (as in one version of Powder of Colchicum) (Safoof-e-Suranjan) (Unani)
18. Cervical spondylosis:
i.
Withania with China root.
ii. Withania with Tanacetum umbelliferum, Orchis, Ginger, Colchicum, Coriander, Ammi
iii. Withania with Tanacetum umbelliferum, Colchicum (Sweet), Galangal, China root, Ginger (as in one version of Powder of Colchicum) (Safoof-e-Suranjan) (Unani)

Other:
19. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):
i. Tribulus, Withania
ii. Withania, Myrrh, Cyperus rotundus
20. Scrofula, Withania, Long Pepper, Honey, Ghee (Chakradatta)

Major Formula:
Balivivan (Ayurveda)
Dhatuvallabha Churna (Ayurveda)
Gso Byed 6 Pa of Tibetan Medicine)


Cautions:
Generally Safe.
1. Caution in excess Heat or Bile, and for those with congestion ('ama')
2. While it is used as a tonic for mother and fetus during pregnancy, this is only in compounds; full doses of the single herb should be avoided.
3. Large doses are narcotic

Main Preparations used:


  • Extra Info
  • History
  • Research
<
>
Click the Tabs above for more information on this Medicine
'This plant bears the Sanskrit names of Asvagandha, Turagi or Turangi, and Turagi-gandha, "smelling like a horse or mare"; Varaha-karni, "boar-eared"; Vrisha, "amorous," &c. It is described in the Nighantas as tonic, alterative, pungent, astringent, hot and aphrodisiac, and is recommended in rheumatism, cough, dropsy, consumption and senile debility. Chakradatta recommends it in decoction with long pepper, butter and honey in consumption and scrofula. A ghrita or medicinal butter prepared by boiling together one part of the root with one part of clarified butter and ten of milk may be used in such cases.

As an aphrodisiac and as a remedy for rheumatism the drug is usually combined with a number of aromatics, each dose contains about 30 grains of the root. It is also made into a paste with aromatics for local application in rheumatism. Indian Mahometan writers merely repeat what the Hindus say about this drug, and do not recognise in it the Kaknaj-el-manoum of the Arabs, which is supposed to represent the [?] of the Greeks, the description of which by Theophrastus agrees
tolerably well with W. somnifera. Rheede calls it Pevetti, and states that a vulnerary ointment is prepared from the leaves. Prosper Alpinus (i., cap. 33) describes and figures it under the name of Solanum somniferum antiquorum,
Roxburgh states that the Telinga physicians reckon the roots alexipharmic. Ainslie (ii. 14) says:— "The root as found in the medicine bazars, is of a pale colour, and in external appearance not unlike our gentian; but it has little sensible taste or smell, though the Tamool Vytians suppose it to have deobstruent and diuretic qualities, given in decoction to the quantity of about half a teacupful twice daily; the leaves moistened with a little warm castor oil, are a useful external application in cases of carbuncle." The authors of the Bombay Flora say that the seeds are employed to coagulate milk like those of W. coagulane. We have tried the experiment and find them to have some coagulating power.

The plant is very common along the shores of the Mediterranean, where it has always been reputed to be hypnotic. The properties of W. somnifera have recently been investigated by Dr. Trebut with regard to its reputation for hypnotic properties; he states that he has obtained an alkaloid from it which has hypnotic action and does not produce mydriasis. P. L. Simmonds (Amer. Journ. Pharm., Feb., 1891) states that the plant is employed at the Civil Hospital, Alger, as a sedative and hypnotic. (Pharmacographia Indica, Dymock, 1891)
1. OVERVIEW:
–An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda.
–Natural withanolides: an overview.
–
Withania somnifera: an Indian ginseng.
–Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review.

2. ANTI-BACTERIAL:
–Antibacterial activity of Withania somnifera against Gram-positive isolates from pus samples.
–In vitro antibacterial effect of Withania somnifera root extract on Escherichia coli.

3. ANTI-INFLUENZA:
–Promising Anti-influenza Properties of Active Constituent of Withania somnifera Ayurvedic Herb in Targeting Neuraminidase of H1N1 Influenza: Computational Study.

4. ANTIOXIDANT:
–Antioxidant activity and apoptotic induction as mechanisms of action of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) against a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.

5. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY:
–Withania somnifera as a Potential Anxiolytic and Anti-inflammatory Candidate Against Systemic Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation.
–Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Withania somnifera root in fructose fed male rats.

6. ADAPTOGENIC:
–Adaptogenic properties of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine.

7. INCREASES ENDURANCE:
–Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults.

8. INCREASES MUSCLE MASS AND STREGTH:
–Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial.

9. IMMUNO-MODULATORY:
–Withania somnifera as a potential anxiolytic and immunomodulatory agent in acute sleep deprived female Wistar rats.
–Network ethnopharmacological evaluation of the immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera.

10. IMPROVES SPERM COUNT AND MOTILITY:
–Comparative evaluation of the effects of Withania somnifera with pentoxifylline on the sperm parameters in idiopathic male infertility: A triple-blind randomised clinical trial.
–Effects of Withania somnifera on Reproductive System: A Systematic Review of the Available Evidence.

11. MALE INFERTILITY:
–Role of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in the management of male infertility.

12. IMPROVES FEMALE SEXUAL FUNCTION:
–Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study.

13. ANTI-PLATELET & ANTICOAGULANT:
–Antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and profibrinolytic activities of withaferin A.

14. INHIBITS TYROSINASE ACTIVITY:
–Comparative chemical investigation and evaluation of antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory effects of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal and Solanum nigrum (L.) berries.

15. HEPATOPROTECTIVE:
–Hepatoprotective effect of withanolide-rich fraction in acetaminophen-intoxicated rat: decisive role of TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-II and iNOS.
–Hepatoprotective activity of hepatoplus on isonaizid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

16. ANTI-CANCER:
–Withaferin-A kills cancer cells with and without telomerase: chemical, computational and experimental evidences.
–Antiproliferative Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Withania Somnifera Leaves from Faifa Mountains, Southwest Saudi Arabia, against Several Human Cancer Cell Lines.
–Withaferin-A--A Natural Anticancer Agent with Pleitropic Mechanisms of Action.
–Withania somnifera: From prevention to treatment of cancer.
–Potential Anticancer Properties and Mechanisms of Action of Withanolides.
–In vitro antiproliferative activity of partially purified Withania somnifera fruit extract on different cancer cell lines.
–Anticancer activities of Withania somnifera: Current research, formulations, and future perspectives.
–Ancient medicine, modern use: Withania somnifera and its potential role in integrative oncology.
BRAIN CANCER–Withania somnifera Suppresses Tumor Growth of Intracranial Allograft of Glioma Cells.
BREAST CANCER–Evaluation of apoptotic activity of Withania coagulans methanolic extract against human breast cancer and Vero cell lines.
–Withania somnifera extract reduces the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and inhibits cytokines associated with metastasis.
–Effect of Withania somnifera root extract on spontaneous estrogen receptor-negative mammary cancer in MMTV/Neu mice.
–Pharmacological levels of Withaferin A (Withania somnifera) trigger clinically relevant anticancer effects specific to triple negative breast cancer cells.
COLON CANCER–Withaferin A induces apoptosis by ROS-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction in human colorectal cancer cells.
GASTRIC CANCER–Withaferin A inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer cells by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
HEAD & NECK CANCERS–Withaferin A induces apoptosis through the generation of thiol oxidation in human head and neck cancer cells.
LEUKEMIA–Withania somnifera Induces Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Effects on Human T Leukemia Cells.
LIVER–Antioxidant activity and apoptotic induction as mechanisms of action of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) against a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.
LYMPHOMA–Anti-cancer activity of withaferin A in B-cell lymphoma.
MELANOMA–Viwithan, a Standardized Withania somnifera Root Extract Induces Apoptosis in Murine Melanoma Cells.
–Withania somnifera Root Extract Has Potent Cytotoxic Effect against Human Malignant Melanoma Cells.
MULTIPLE MYELOMA:–Withanolide D Exhibits Similar Cytostatic Effect in Drug-Resistant and Drug-Sensitive Multiple Myeloma Cells.
OSTEOSARCOMA:–Withaferin-A induces apoptosis in osteosarcoma U2OS cell line via generation of ROS and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential.
–Antiproliferation potential of withaferin A on human osteosarcoma cells via the inhibition of G2/M checkpoint proteins.
OVARIAN CANCER–Withaferin a alone and in combination with cisplatin suppresses growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer by targeting putative cancer stem cells.
PROSTATE CANCER:–Withania somnifera targets interleukin-8 and cyclooxygenase-2 in human prostate cancer progression.

17. BLOOD-BRAIN PERMEABILITY:
–Blood-brain barrier permeability of bioactive withanamides present in Withania somnifera fruit extract.

18. NEURO-PROTECTIVE:
–In vitro screening of neuroprotective activity of Indian medicinal plant Withania somnifera.
–Multifunctional neuroprotective effect of Withanone, a compound from Withania somnifera roots in alleviating cognitive dysfunction.
–Withania somnifera Extract Protects Model Neurons from In Vitro Traumatic Injury.
–Aqueous extract from the Withania somnifera leaves as a potential anti-neuroinflammatory agent: a mechanistic study.

19. ANTI-NEURODEGENERATIVE:
–Neuropharmacological Properties of Withania somnifera - Indian Ginseng: An Overview on Experimental Evidence with Emphasis on Clinical Trials and Patents.
–Effects of Ashwagandha (roots of Withania somnifera) on neurodegenerative diseases.
–Neuronutrient impact of Ayurvedic Rasayana therapy in brain aging.

20. MEMORY / COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING:
–Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions.

21. OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
–Evaluation of the efficacy of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

22. DEMENTIA:
–Ayurvedic Medicine for the Treatment of Dementia: Mechanistic Aspects.

23. ANTI-PARKINSON'S
–Withania somnifera alleviates parkinsonian phenotypes by inhibiting apoptotic pathways in dopaminergic neurons.
–Effects of five Ayurvedic herbs on locomotor behaviour in a Drosophila melanogaster Parkinson's disease model.

24. SCHIZOPHRENIA:
–Adjunctive Use of a Standardized Extract of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to Treat Symptom Exacerbation in Schizophrenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

25. POST STROKE MANAGEMENT:
–Propensity of Withania somnifera to Attenuate Behavioural, Biochemical, and Histological Alterations in Experimental Model of Stroke.
–Withania somnifera: a pre-clinical study on neuroregenerative therapy for stroke

26. KNEE JOINT PAIN:
–A randomized, double blind placebo controlled study of efficacy and tolerability of Withaina somnifera extracts in knee joint pain.

27. POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS):
–Effect of combination of Withania somnifera Dunal and Tribulus terrestris Linn on letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in rats.

Home
ABOUT
RESOURCES

materia medica – FREE
Materia Medica – PRO
Classifications


Diseases & Formulas
Links & Texts
Patient Resources

Shop
Texts for Sale
Contact us

TERMS OF USE

PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright © 2015–2021
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Brief Overview of Traditional Medicine
    • Timeline
    • Authors and Sources
    • Glossaries
    • Articles on Traditional Medicine
    • Photos
    • Medicine Pictures
    • Substitute Medicines
  • Theory
  • Materia Medica
    • Ayurvedic Materia Medica
    • Chinese Materia Medica
    • Tibetan Materia Medica
    • Unani Materia Medica
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine FREE
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine PRO >
      • *Symphytum, Comfrey
    • Animal Materia Medica
    • Mineral Materia Medica
    • Chinese Classification
    • Western Classification
    • Humoral Medicine
    • Herbal Combinations
  • Formulas
  • Treatment
    • Types of Treatment in Traditional Medicine
    • Treatment of Specific Conditions
    • Diseases and Formulas
  • Patient Resources
  • Links & Texts
  • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Blog