Ashwagandha - A Plant Monograph
Ashwagandha / Winter Cherry
(Withania somnifera)
Family: Solanaceae
Herbal Actions: Tonic/Rasayana, nervine, sedative, aphrodisiac, and astringent. Secondary actions: Antispasmodic and expectorant
Parts Used: Fresh or dry Root, (sometimes leaf and berry) but I have never used the leaf or berry personally
Temperature: Warming(mildly)
Taste:
Rasa (taste)- bitter, astringent, sweet
Virya (digestive effect)- heating
Vipaka (post digestive effect)-sweet
Energetics: Warming, sweet, bitter, dry, pungent
Dosha Effects: VK-, P+, and can increase ama buildup in excess
Tissues: Muscle, fat, bone, marrow, nerve and reproductive
Systems: Reproductive, nervous, endocrine, and immune systems
Meridians/Organs Affected: Kidneys and heart. Yang tonic.
Active constituents: Natural source of alkaloids, withanolides, and withaferins*
Traditional Uses: Ashwagandha has been used in India in the Ayurvedic tradition as a medicine dating back more than 3000-4000 years ago and was applauded as a major rasayana or rejuvenative tonic in the the ancient text Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas.
In Sanskrit the word - ashwa meaning horse and gandha meaning smell so the name refers to “Smelling like a horse” as it supposedly smells like horse piss. They say it gives you the strength and vitality of a horse or even 100 horses. It was also used throughout the southern Mediterranean, Egypt, and the east coast of Africa. Dioscorides called it “sleepy nightshade,” which is where it gets its species name somnifera, which means sleep inducing.
The Maasai people of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania use juice made from ashwagandha leaves for conjunctivitis, and fresh bruised berries applied topically for ringworm.
In Lesotho, ashwagandha bark infusion is used internally for asthma and externally for bedsores.
In India the tender shoots are commonly eaten as a vegetable.
Identify:
Ashwagandha typically grows from one to five feet tall. Its central stem is branched and covered with fine hairs. The leaves are green, with a slightly hairy surface that are simple, opposite, and ovate to elliptical in shape. With small, greenish-yellow flowers that are inconspicuous and arranged in clusters. They are tubular in shape and bloom in late spring to early summer. The fruit of ashwagandha is a small, round seeded berry that turns red when ripe.
Where to Source:
I say grow your own or try and source US organically grown, If not I would suggest Banyan Botanicals or Mountain Rose herbs.
Grow your own: Suprisingly Ashwagandha is incredibly easy to grow here in the US. Sow seeds in early spring, It germinates quite easily; simply place the seeds in soil about 2 cm deep and keep them at 20 C (70 F). Within 2 weeks, they will start coming up. Transplant once they have a good root structure and place under a light or in a greenhouse, give them time to get well established before planting out.
It actually prefers dry, sandy soil, so you may like to have a hoop house if you live somewhere where it rains alot like the PNW. I usually don’t plant mine out until late May or early June so the rains have mainly passed but I have a hoop house for the fall so I can let them go until late october/early November. It also doesn’t require a lot of nutrients, maybe just some basic compost with some nutrients mixed in the soil in the spring and you are good to go.
Native: It can be found throughout Asia, esp Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It is most widely cultivated in the central and northwest regions of India
Todd Caldecott describes another species that is recognized as Ashwagandha and equal to if not more potent but a totally different plant altogether; Convolvulus arvensis. “Not all of what we call Ashwagandha, however, refers to Withania somnifera. In the temperate mountainous regions of the Himalayas, where Withania doesn’t grow, local Ayurvedic physicians use an entirely different and unrelated species for Ashwagandha, called Convolvulus arvensis. Also known as Field Bindweed, this plant grows in temperate regions all over the world: even in the US where it is considered to be a noxious weed. Although few are aware of its medicinal uses, in places such as Nepal, local physicians have extensively used this plant as Ashwagandha for millennia, and in my experience, Convolvulus is at least or even more powerful than Withania.”1
1 Todd Caldecott RH(AHG), ‘The benefits of Ashwagandha’ Feb 1st 2018, , https://toddcaldecott.com/benefits- uses-ashwagandha, accessed July 26th, 2019
Harvest: If growing your own harvest the root before your first frost, if you are in a rainy area like the PNW I put up a hoop house to extend my growing season as Ashwagandha prefers to be in a dry soil.
Tastes:
“Because the primary quality and flavor of ashwagandha is sharp and pungent, this means that it is warming, raises metabolism, stimulates digestion, clears mucus, improves circulation. Unlike TCM, Ayurvedic also identifies a secondary post- digestive flavor which for ashwagandha is sweet. It is this effect, when a substance is converted into a still purer nutritive extract, that the post digestive sweet flavor of ashwagandha represents its deep nutritive, hormonal properties as well as its ability to strengthen and nourish the nervous system... The post digestive flavor of Ashwagandha is not so much sensorially identified but because it exhibits tonic nutritive properties. This becomes, therefore, the basis for its being classified as sweet.”
- Michael Tierra, Ashwagandha: Wonder Herb of India
Uses:
Rasayana
Ashwagandha is a well known Ayurvedic Rasayana, Rasayana is a Sanskrit word that translates to “path of essence.” It is derived from the root words, rasa,meaning “essence,” and ayana meaning “path.”
Rasayanas therapy enriches rasa aka plasma (as in rasa dhatu) with nutrients to strengthen overall physical and mental health, slow down the aging process, promote good skin and facial appearance, stimulate memory, concentration and cognitive function, and relieve the body from tension and stress.
In simpler terms a rasayana is a restorative tonic that promotes vitality and clear mental cognition.
Typically Rasayanas are used in formulations like chyawanprash.
In its original recipe, Chyawanprash contains up to 50 kinds of herbs, many of which have been discovered to be adaptogenic by modern research. It is mainly amla or amalaki (Emblica officinalis), guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bhibitaki (Terminalia bellirica), ashwagandha(Withania somnifera), brahmi (Centella asiatica), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and more.
Ashwagandha belongs to a sub-group of Rasayanas known as Medhyarasayanas. Medhya typically refers to the mind and mental/intellectual capacity. Medhya Rasayanas are used to promote intellect and memory. The cognition-promoting effect of Medhya Rasayanas is best seen in children with memory deficits, or when memory is compromised following head injury, or a prolonged illness and in old age (Singh and Udupa., 1993 )
Aging: a famous longevity herb in Ayurveda as it nourishes our vital energies and helps restore Ojas
Adaptogenic Qualities: It is a calming adaptogen that can settle the spirit and nourish the body. Similar to the endangered American ginseng but easy to grow yourself and abundant in the marketplace
Nervous system: A wonderful nervous system tonic, used for insomnia “try the golden milk recipe”, depression, neurasthenia, and long term damage from herpes lesions.
Nervine Trophorestorative: Here we see Ashwagandha act to tonify, strengthen, and restore the proper structure and function of the nervous system. It is best used whenever there have been cases of shock, prolonged periods of stress or sleep deficit, longstanding anxiety, panic attacks, tension, or excessive use of stimulants. It is applicable to what the old doctors called “neurasthenia” or nervous debility. *Sajah Popham
Mental Health: Sattvic in quality helps clarify and nurture the brain. Useful in anxiety due to deficiency and for those who are dealing with increased Vata which can show up as easily excited or fearful/ worried.
Sexual health: Considered sexual/reproductive tonic in many african nations, treats low libido due to stress and aging, enhances sexual performance, and enhances sperm count and mobility. Also good for weak pregnant woman as it helps stabilize the fetus
Immune system: Immune tonic for those who are weak and have a deficient immune system. In cases of autoimmune disease which can present with dry tissue states, ashwagandha can help nourish those membranes. As Ashwagandha is warming in nature it moves the blood to help with nourishment of the organs and tissues.
As an anti-inflammatory it can decrease inflammation in autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritits .
Thyroid: Thought to increase conversion of of inactive thyroid hormone to active form of the hormone (T4-T3)
Adrenals: An amazing adrenal tonic for adrenal burnout from chronic disease, stress, overwork, or basically living in the western world these days
Leaves: The bitter leaves are often used as a hypnotic in the treatment of addiction and to relax spasms of the lungs in cases of asthma and emphysema.
Energetic/Spirit: Some believe Ashwagandha also aids in decalcifying the pineal gland. Ayurvedic practitioners have used various herbs to assist with the opening and balancing of the Chakra centers. Ashwagandha is traditionally used to strengthen and unblock the Root Chakra.
Medicine Making: (follow directions on medicine making handouts)
Tincture: Fresh Root 1:2 80% alcohol
Dry root 1:5 60% alcohol
1-2 ml -1-3x day for medicinal effects or 2-5 drops for psycho spiritual connection
Churna: 1-2 grams of powdered Ashwagandha with a pinch of ginger or pippali in a small amount of water- 1-3 x day
Capsules: Make a double strength powder following Christopher Hobbs recipe
Dose- 250 mg-1 gram 2-3 x day
Syrup: when made with molasses it is an excellent absorbable source of iron.
Milk Decoction aka golden milk: Add up to one gram of powdered root or a tsp of medicated ghee to warm milk with some warming spices like cardamom, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, etc. Drink at night about 30-60 minutes before bed.
Medicated Ghee: Ghee is one of the most wonderful healing substances, it enhances Ojas “the subtle essence of all tissues”. It promotes your jatharaagni ”digestive fire dwelling in your small intestines. As well as increases all of your Agnis and all digestive energies and enzymes of the body. It promotes the elemental fires which dwell in the liver and govern the transformation of fats. It does not clog the liver, as other oils and fats, but strengthens it. It is food for the bone marrow and nerve tissue, and feeds the brain. - Dr. Lad
It is the closest and most nourishing substance to the myelin sheath which coats our neurons and nerve fibers. Ghee is also considered a Sattvic food which is clear and balancing and can help uplift one's spirit and consciousness.
Medicated Oil: Medicated oil is a staple in Ayurveda used for their famous Abhyanga massage and PanchaKarma Therapies. They use a few different oils depending on the condition and your dosha. Sesame oil is more warming and is traditionally used for Vata dosha, Coconut and Sunflower oil are more cooling and used for Pitta, and for Kapha oil is not usually recommended. Follow the directions on making a 1:5 crockpot oil from our Medicine making handout.
Topically: Use the leaves to make a poultice and apply locally to soothe inflammation from boils and carbuncles “A painful localized bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that usually has several openings through which pus is discharged.”
Allies: Ashwagandha is well paired with shatavari for strengthening the female reproductive system. For stress and burnout, pair ashwagandha with milky oats to soothe the adrenals. If something more cooling is needed to balance the heat of ashwagandha for your body type, pair it with rose or lemon balm
As a kidney and immune support, ashwagandha pairs beautifully with nettle and elderberry.
For fibromyalgia and other chronic inflammatory conditions, pair with kava kava and skullcap. Culinarily, to mask the otherwise intense flavor, herbalist Kiva Rose suggests mixing ashwagandha powder with cardamom and dates. *by Krystal Thompson/ Herb Rally School house
Formulation for rejuvenation from The way of Ayurvedic Herbs-
Simple Chyawanprash-
10 parts Ashwagandha
1 part Pippali
5 parts Ghee
10 parts honey
1 tsp 2x day
Pippali (Piper longum)- is a powerful rejuvenating herb that strengthens and nourishes the body. It is a close relative of the common table spice, black pepper, and is similarly pungent and heating. Pippali stimulates metabolism, burns natural toxins, and helps maintain a healthy digestive environment. It is an excellent tonic for the lungs, supporting clear and comfortable breathing. Pippali nourishes the blood and promotes healthy circulation and supports a healthy liver. It is also used in many Ayurvedic formulations in small amounts to encourage proper assimilation of the herbs.* Banyan Botanicals Website
Contra Indications:
Not for use in pregnancy; May potentiate the effects of barbiturates *
Large doses, however, have been shown to cause gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea and vomiting. Also contraindicated in conjunction with sedatives or anxioletics (a substance that reduces anxiety) or if one is suffering from stomach ulcers. Traditionally, like other tonics such as ginseng for instance, ashwagandha should not be taken when there are signs of inflammation or advanced arterial congestion. *Sajah Popham
Sources:
Sajah Popham School of Evolutionary Herbalism - Monographs
Energetic Herbalism- Kat Maier
Dr. Mark Halpern - California College of Ayurveda Textbook
Dr. Lad - THe Yoga Of Herbs
Michael Tierra & Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa- The way of Ayurvedic Herbs
Banyan Botanicals website
https://www.everest-ayurveda.com/rasayana-rejuvena...
www.herbrally.com/monographs/ashwagandha
Engels, Gayle, and Brinckman, Josef. Ashwagandha, 2013. American Botanical Council. Accessed online July, 2016.
Singh, Narendra. An Overview of Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines via US National Library of Medicine, 2011.
