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Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Materia Medica
Family: Solanaceae
Botanical name: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
Common names: Ashwagandha, Winter Cherry, Indian Ginseng
Parts used: Root
Growth habit: Perennial subshrub
Primary traditions: Ayurvedic
Actions & Energetics
Ayurvedic materia medica describes the root as a rasayana (rejuvenative), adaptogen, and nervine. Traditional texts note it for strength, vitality, and stress. The root is the primary medicinal material.
Botanical Description
Withania somnifera is a low perennial subshrub with elliptic leaves and small greenish flowers followed by red berries enclosed in a papery calyx. The root is fleshy and is the traditional drug material. The plant is native to India and parts of Africa and the Mediterranean.
Traditional Indications
Classical Ayurvedic texts record the root for debility, stress, and as a general tonic and rejuvenative. It is one of the most widely used rasayana herbs. Traditional preparations include powdered root and milk decoctions.
Preparations & Dosage
Root Powder
Traditional Ayurvedic records commonly use 3–6 grams of the dried root powder, often taken with milk or ghee.
Decoction
The root is simmered in milk or water in classical preparations.
Constituents
The root contains withanolides (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, and other secondary metabolites. Withaferin A and withanolide A are among the better-studied compounds.
Modern Research
Human studies have examined effects on stress, sleep, and physical performance. Results are mixed and dose-dependent. Preclinical work has focused on withanolides and adaptogenic mechanisms.
Adverse Effects
Ordinary traditional doses of the root are generally well-tolerated. Mild digestive upset or drowsiness has been reported with higher intakes. The root is not interchangeable with the leaves or berries in traditional practice.
Interactions & Contraindications
Potential interactions with sedative and thyroid medications have been noted in modern literature. Traditional sources do not list major contraindications for ordinary doses.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Traditional Ayurvedic sources do not strongly recommend concentrated root use in pregnancy. Modern data are limited.
Habitat & Cultivation
- Native range: India, parts of Africa and the Mediterranean
- Habitat: Dry, open ground
- Cultivation: Widely grown for the root
Harvesting & Drying
Roots are harvested after 6–12 months of growth, cleaned, and dried. The dried root is the primary commercial material.
History, Folklore & Spiritual Use
Ashwagandha is one of the principal rasayana herbs of Ayurveda and has been used for centuries as a tonic for strength and vitality. The name means “smell of the horse,” referring to the root’s odor and the traditional association with strength. It remains one of the most widely used Ayurvedic roots worldwide.
Materia Medica Summary
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a classical Ayurvedic root used as a rasayana and adaptogen. Traditional dried root powder doses are commonly 3–6 g. The root contains withanolides and is distinct from the leaves and berries.