Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, or winter cherry is a plant in the solanaceae family. The name Ashwagandha is from the Sanskrit language and is a combination of the word ashwa, meaning horse, and gandha, meaning smell. The root has a strong aroma that is described as "horse-like." Ashwagandha used as an herb in Ayurvedic medicine. The main active constituents of ashwagandha are alkaloids and steroidal lactones.

Benefits and uses:

Ashwagandha works as anti-inflammatory substance therefore helps in reducing swellings and restoring blood supply as it increases the count of white blood cells and prepares the body to produce antigens against various infections and allergies.

It has an excellent healing properties therefore has great effects in healing wounds and injuries. Ashwagandha increases hemoglobin and hair melanin. It stabilizes blood sugar and lowers cholesterol. Its root contains excellent supplement that helps in proving strength to heart muscles and keeps heart working normal. As it works as anti-inflammatory agent therefore helps in reducing swellings and restoring blood supply.

It acts as galactogogue and thickens and increases the nutritive value of the milk when given to nursing mothers.

It is also useful in upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and in asthmatic conditions.

In Ayurveda, it is classified as rejuvenation and expected to promote physical and mental health, rejuvenate the body in debilitated conditions and increase longevity.

The antioxidative role of W. somnifera resulting in reducing the extent of renal injury as a result of oxidative stress.