What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is a member of the Solanaceae family, native to India. Since Ayurveda considers it a rasayana, it is also known as “Indian Winter cherry” or the “Indian Ginseng”. Ashwa means horse and Gandha means smell, therefore in Sanskrit ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse,” indicating that the herb has the potential to impart the vigour and strength of a stallion, the smell is reminiscent of horse sweat.
How and where is Ashwagandha cultivated?
The plant has been traditionally grown in India in the drier regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Bihar. There are many countries who have started growing this plant such as North Africa, Middle East and parts of America. It can be planted by seeds, and grows just like a tomato plant with oval leaves and yellow flowers and has a tuberous root shaped like a carrot. The best quality soil for this plant is stillRajasthan, with its stony soil partially in the shade and partially in the sun.
What are the medicinal uses of Ashwagandha?
According to Ayurveda
Ashwagandha is a Medhay-Rasayana used for centuries by Indians as a household remedy, because they consider it as an effective nervine tonic, with many restorative and rejuvenating benefits. It works as a rejuvenator for old people and a virile aphrodisiac in the young. Ashwagandha possess the properties of being effective adaptogen, which helps elevate the body's resilience to stress. Ayurveda identifies its qualities to address both emotional and physical stress. It strengthens the bodies defence mechanism against diseases by enhancing the cell-mediated immunity. It also has antioxidant properties that fight against cellular damage caused by free radicals. Let’s see some of the traditional usage of Ashwagandha.
- Strengthens Immune system
- Adaptogen, nervine tonic
- Improves virility and elevates emotional happiness
- Weakness in children
- Chronic Stress, nervousness and insomnia
- Joint Inflammation and rheumatism
- Hormone-balance
- Skin irritations and ulcers
According to Modern approach
Ashwagandha contains many chemicals, including withanolides, alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, amino acids, and a variety of sugars. While the leaves and fruit have therapeutic properties, the root of the ashwagandha plant is the part used for treatment. There has been more than 250 studies done on Ashwagandha. They have mainly reinforced what Ayurvedic pharmacopeia has been saying. These ailments are mentioned below
Protects and Boosts immunity: with its restorative and rejuvenative properties it boosts overall physical health and stamina, significantly improving immunity. It is said to support immune cell activity, these are the ones that fight against infections.
Stabilizes blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels: By increasing insulin secretion it can lower blood sugar levels. By reducing cortisol, it significantly help’s in chronic stress, anxiety and depression.
Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic: It is known to reduce inflammation marker and thereby reduces inflammation.
Improves heart health: By supporting cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, it supports healthy heart functions.
Improves fertility: high stress means low testosterone, which will directly affect the reproductive system. By bringing down stress levels Ashwagandha contributes towards healthy fertility.
Promotes new nerve growth: It has a rejuvenative action on our nervous system, it supports endocrine function by regulating the thyroid, pancreas and the adrenal gland.
Why use Age Ayurveda Capsules ?
Ashwagandha is commonly available as a churna, a fine sieved powder that can be consumed directly by mixing with ghee or honey. Age Ayurveda provides with aqueous extract of Ashwagandha in Vegetable Capsules, for ease of consumption along with guarantee of quality and potency.
