The extensive healing properties of Ashawagandha plant, also known as Winter Cherry and Indian Ginseng, have made it one of the most valued herbs in the Ayuvedric healing tradition.
The meaning of the Sanskrit word ?Ashawagandha? is horse smell. The reason why it was named this is because the roots emit a foul odor similar to that of a smelly and sweaty horse.
The Ashawagandha herb is a shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has red fruit that looks similar to cherries and yellow flowers. All its parts can be used for its medicinal and food applications.
Native to India, it is commercially produced of one of its states, which is Madhya Paresh. The popularity of this herb in India is primarily due to its use as an aphrodisiac.
When taken, the sexual vitality and stamina of men is increased, which are the like the stimulating properties attributed to Chinese Ginseng.
The National College of Natural Medicine conducted studies pertinent to the immunity boosting effect of this herb.
The results showed that when this herb is taken along with the accompanying substance like olive oil or ghee, as it is done in Ayuvedric method, there is a notable increase in white blood cell function of battling virus infections.
The herb also works as an adaptogen, which makes it one of the rejuvenation ingredients in Indian tonics.
These are drunk to promote over-all wellness and to reduce stress related disorders such as insomnia and nervousness. It is also commonly used for as an herbal remedy for fever and inflammation.
Aside from these rejuvenation benefits, the healing properties of this herb include a cure for memory loss. In time old tradition, the Ayuvedric healers use this to treat amnesia and other similar disorders.
The herb also works effectively as an anti-oxidant. The powerful medicinal properties of this herb are attributed to its active ingredient.
The essential oil and other form of extracts of this plant contain withanolides. This withanolides are very much like the ginsenosides of the Asian ginseng. These withanolides, which are the active ingredient, are steroidal.
Aside from the medicinal benefits, this plant also used in Indian food preparation. This is one of the main ingredients in the cheese making process of this country.
Though the Ashawagandha herb is safe for human consumption, studies have found that the continuous intake of this herb daily for a period of over 6 months may increase the blood toxicity levels.
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