Sanskrit Name: अश्वगंधा (Aswagandha) 

Botanical name: Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal

Family: Solanaceae

English name: Winter cherry

Malayalam name: അമുക്കുരം

Distribution: Throughout drier parts of India and cultivated along various parts of India.

Part used: root tubers

Properties: Aphrodisiac, diuretic, anti-cancer, anti-ageing, sleep inducing, amelioratic, nervine, anti-proliferative and immunomodulatory.

Useful in: Lack of libido, sexual disfunctions, immunodeficiency diseases, cancers, respiratory ailments, insomnia, memory loss, speech disorders, neuromuscular disorders, anxiety, epilepsy and mental ailments.

Research Updates:

1. Mikulska, Paulina et al. “Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)-Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review.” Pharmaceuticsvol. 15,4 1057. 24 Mar. 2023, doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15041057
2. Sprengel, Mateusz et al. “Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) supplementation: a review of its mechanisms, health benefits, and role in sports performance.” Nutrition & metabolismvol. 22,1 9. 5 Feb. 2025, doi:10.1186/s12986-025-00902-7
3. Jamnekar, Pallavi Prabhakar et al. “Ashwagandha as an Adaptogenic Herb: A Comprehensive Review of Immunological and Neurological Effects.” Cureusvol. 17,11 e96183. 5 Nov. 2025, doi:10.7759/cureus.96183
4. Alsanie, Saleh A et al. “Effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on mental health in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Complementary therapies in medicine, vol. 97 103325. 3 Feb. 2026, doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103325

5. Pakhale, Ketan et al. “Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on stress and weight management in adults: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” Journal of medicine and life vol. 18,12 (2025): 1140-1154. doi:10.25122/jml-2025-0147