Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

Question 1

How do you recognise Ashwagandha?

Answer 1

• Perennial plant up to 1.5m tall with green-yellow flowers and orange berries.
• The name ashwagandha refers to the smell, spirit and/or strength of a horse.
• Native to Afghanistan, India and China, used a lot on Ayurvedic medicine.

Question 2

What are Ashwagandha’s main constituents?

Answer 2

• Steroidal saponins including: Sitoinosides – which increase white blood cell count, and Lactones – withanolides & withaferins – which are anti-neoplastic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating.
• Tropane alkaloids – tropine & pseudotropine.
• Other alkaloids – isopelletienine & anaferine – which are sedative, antispasmodic, bradycardic

Question 3

What family is Ashwagandha in?

Answer 3

Family Solanaceae

Question 4

What is Ashwagandha good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Nutrative, sustaining, relaxing adaptogen to increase wellbeing unlike many others of this family which can be poisonous. Bendle uses it for people who are recovering from illness or fatigued (TATT - tired all the time) to relax and rest them before they can then build vitaility.

Actions:
* Adaptogen.
* Immune modulator.
* Nerve tonic & neuroprotective/ neurotonic.
* Sedative.
* Aphrodisiac.
* Anti-inflammatory.
* Anti-rheumatic
* Anti-neoplastic.
* Anti-anaemic.
* Thyroid tonic.
* Possibly cardio-protective & anti-epileptic.

Applications:
* Traditionally as a promoter of learning & memory, also for bronchitis, asthma & psoriasis.
* To alleviate fatigue & increase wellbeing.
* Anxiety.
* To promote convalescence after major illness or stress.
* For SLE.
* Hypothyroid conditions - research ongoing.
* To promote growth in children.
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Adjunct to cancer treatment – enhances the effects of radiotherapy and of some chemotherapeutic agents.
* Drug & alcohol withdrawal
* May be cardioprotective and anti epileptic

Question 5

What is Ashwagandha’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Withania somnifera

Question 6

What parts of Ashwagandha do you use?

Answer 6

Parts used: root, sometimes leaves.

Question 7

What safety issues might Ashwagandha have?

Answer 7

Generally seen as safe - but may interact with medication for anxiety & insomnia.

Question 8

What useful research does Ashwaghanda have?

Answer 8

External links
Herbalgram article on Withania from 2013

Subtle changes in thyroid indices during a placebo-controlled study of an extract of Withania somnifera in persons with
bipolar disorder

There are very few human trials regarding the potential of Withania to treat hypothyroid conditions. Although this trial was
not aimed at investigateing this, its results are of interest.

Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized PlaceboControlled Trial - abstract only

Question 9

What remedies might you use Ashwaghanda in?

Answer 9

Dose 20 – 30ml/week of 1:3 tincture.
Bendle has a patient with shingles, stress. Wanted to help her with pain relief, resilience, relaxation.
Gave her Withania (25), Melissa (20) and Hypericum (30) which are nervine, sustaining herbs which are also specific on shingles and Persidia (15) (for pain relief) plus some psychological activities eg journalling.
Also a cream for Shingles which included St Johns Wort and Peppermint.