Common Name: Ashwagandha

General Information

Withania somnifera is an erect or spreading, evergreen shrub; it usually grows 60 - 100cm tall, occasionally reaching 200cm[]..
A very important medicinal herb in Ayurveda, where it has a value similar to that of Ginseng in China. Its use has spread from India to many other countries. It is mainly gathered from the wild but is also cultivated, especially in India[]. It is widely sold, especially in India.

Known Hazards

The plant is toxic if eaten[].
Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most plants in the family Solanaceae also contain poisonous alkaloids. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

Range

Mediterranean Europe, most of Africa, through W. Asia to Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.

Habitat

An undershrub in stony places[]. Disturbed soil, along roadsides, in cultivated land, on termite mounds in grassland, in open woodland and riverine vegetation, at elevations from sea-level up to 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Self, Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,800 metres[]. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature falls within the range 18 - 32°c, but can tolerate 12 - 40°c[]. It is not tolerant of frost[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 650 - 750mm, tolerating 300 - 800mm[]. This species is not hardy in temperate climates but it can be grown as an annual, flowering and fruiting in its first year from seed[].
Succeeds in full sun and in light shade[]. A fairly easily grown plant, it requires a warm sheltered position and a well-drained moderately fertile, sandy to loamy soil[, , ]. Prefers a dry stony soil[]. It prefers a pH in the range 7.5 - 8, but tolerates 6.5 - 8.5[].
The plant is often cultivated as an annual in India[].
A good crop in India yields 650 - 800 kilos of fresh root per hectare (350 - 450 kilos of dry roots), but the average is 300 - 500 kilos. The average yield of seed is 50 - 75 kilos[].
Plants can flower all year round[].
Several improved cultivars have been released in India, including 'Rakshita', 'Poshita', 'WS-20' and 'WS-22'[].
The plant has a smell akin to that of a sweaty horse[].

Edible Uses

The seeds are used to curdle plant milks in order to make vegetarian cheeses[, ].

Medicinal

Ashwagandha is one of the most widespread tranquillising and adaptogenic herbs used in India, where it holds a position of importance similar to ginseng in China[]. It acts mainly on the reproductive and nervous systems, where it improves overall physical and mental health and increases longevity and vitality, having an overall rejuvenative effect on the body, and is used to improve vitality and aid recovery after chronic illness[, , ]. Pharmaco-chemical analysis of the plant has revealed a very large number of bio-active compounds, particularly a range of alkaloids, steroidal lactones and glycosides[].
An aqueous alcohol root extract showed positive cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects[].
A group of glycosides, known as sitoindosides, extracted from the roots showed significant antidepressant and anxiety-relieving properties. In a test for chronic stress, a root extract was compared with an extract from Panax ginseng; both extracts had a positive effect on several chronic stress symptoms, but the Withania somnifera extract did not cause the ginseng abuse syndrome, indicating a different mode of action[].
Cognition enhancing tests of an aqueous ethanol extract containing the glycosides withaferin A and sitoindosides showed a positive effect on cholinergic signal transduction in the forebrain, which may partly explain its cognition-enhancing effect[].
Tests have shown that ashwagandha can reverse memory deficits and also have a consolidating effect on the memory. Its effects upon the brain may provide leads towards treatments for Parkinson’s disease[].
Aqueous alcohol extracts of the roots showed a positive effect on the cartilage of osteoarthritis patients both in vitro and in vivo[].
The immunomodulatory effects of the withanolides (a group of steroidal lactones) have been studied extensively. Enhanced white blood cell counts and activity and inhibition of delayed-type hypersensitivity are among the processes reported[].
Glyco-withanolides, including sitoindosides IX and X, have been shown to cause increased counts of platelets and red and white blood cells and increased activity of peritoneal macrophages and lysosomal enzymes[].
The properties of the root extracts are very promising in cancer therapy; several studies indicate that they are correlated with the antioxidant effects. The extracts not only affect tumour growth but also have positive adjuvant effects in radiation and chemo-therapy[].
In an in-vitro experiment, the steroid lactone withaferin A inhibited growth in human cell lines of breast, central nervous system, colon and lung cancer[].
A chloroform extract of the plant prevented cell proliferation by disrupting mitosis and inhibiting angiogenesis[].
Addition of root powder to the diet has shown hypoglycaemic effects[].
Although ashwagandha is used as an aphrodisiac, adding root powder to the diet has impaired the libido and sexual performance[].
The methanolic extract of the roots has shown significant antibacterial activity against a range of bacteria[].
When studying the anti-snake-venom properties of Withania somnifera, it was found that a glycoprotein isolated from an aqueous extract of the plant neutralized the toxic effects of phospholipase A2 from cobra venom. However, its mode of action may be too slow to provide a basis for pharmacological developments[].
Side effects of the medicinal use of ashwagandha are rarely reported, but a case of thyrotoxicosis caused by its use was reported in the Netherlands. Symptoms disappeared when the treatment was stopped[].

The whole plant, but especially the leaves and the root bark, are abortifacient, adaptogenic, antibiotic, aphrodisiac, deobstruent, diuretic, narcotic, strongly sedative and tonic[, , , ]. Internally, it is used to tone the uterus after a miscarriage and also in treating post-partum difficulties[]. It is also used to treat nervous exhaustion, debility, insomnia, wasting diseases, failure to thrive in children, impotence, infertility, multiple sclerosis etc[].
Applied externally, the plant has been applied as a poultice to boils, wounds, swellings and other painful parts[, , ]. An ointment made from the leaves is applied to wounds and bed sores[].

The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[]. Some caution is advised in the use of this plant since it is toxic[].

The fruit is diuretic[].

The seed is diuretic and hypnotic[].

Other Uses

The fruit is rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute[, , ].

The leaves are used as an insect repellent[, , ].
The root is used in Africa to ward off large animals such as lions[]. The dried root is crushed, then placed in a container and heated so that they give off smoke[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. There is usually a high germination rate within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frost. Consider giving the plants some protection, such as a cloche, until they are established and growing away well.