What is Ashwagandha?

About Ashwagandha

• Ashwagandha, also called Indian ginseng or Indian winter cherry, is an evergreen shrub native toIndia, northern Africa, and the Middle East.
• Scientifically known as Withania somnifera, the shrub got its name Ashwagandha because its roots are said to smell like a wet horse (‘ashwa’ for horse and ‘gandha’ for smell).
• It belongs to the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family—the same family as tomatoes and potatoes.
• Benefits:
  • It has been in use as a medicinal plant for thousands of years, especially in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
  • It is often called an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stressors and restore balance.
  • Its other benefits are reducing inflammation, increasing energy, alleviating anxiety, ease pain, and improving sleep.
  • Different parts of the ashwagandha plant, such as the root, leaves, and berries, may have different concentrations of bioactive compounds.
  • Notable among these arewithanolides, naturally occurring steroid compounds which have been associated with beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

Q1: What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Antioxidants are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. They are also available as dietary supplements.

Source: Ashwagandha is great, but not for everybody

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