It
is an indigenous Indian herb, which is extremely well famous in the
west as the Winter Cherry. The Indian name of the herb related means
‘horse smell’ that is ashwa = horse and gandha = smell. It is known so
because its root smells similar to horse’s urine once wet. Ashwagandha is
a small to medium sized herb, rising up to 1.5 meters at an utmost with
small green flowers growing in clusters of about 25 in number. This
herb is found in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan apart from India.
The main medical ingredient of ashwagandha is somniferine, an alkaloid which is present in all parts of the herb. The oil extracted from its roots is composed of 2 constituents – a water soluble part and a water insoluble part. The water soluble part contains some sugar, although the water insoluble part contains fatty acids with other vital substances. As well that, ashwagandha oil is also rich in tannin, glucose, potassium nitrate and more than a few alkaloids.
Properties
The following curative properties of ashwagandha are made use of in ayurvedic medicine:-
- It is most excellent known for its stimulating properties on the libido. It is used as an aphrodisiac in men. For this cause, ashwagandha is also referred to as the Indian ginseng.
- It is a gentle hypnotic. It can be used in allaying pains.
- It is successful in treating urinary ailments. It can facilitate trouble-free flow of urine. Also it helps in opening the sweat pores, which create it possible to expel liquid wastes through perspiration.
- It is an antibiotic and an antibacterial agent.
Uses
Ashwagandha is crucial in various constituents of Ayurvedic medicine. The following are a number of ways in which it is used in cure of diseases.
- Common Cold
It is used in opening up the treating diseases and respiratory tract that originate in the chest cavity. If a person has a common cold, after that the powdered root of ashwagandha is taken in quantities of 3 grams. Decoction of the ashwagandha root is also commonly used. In a similar fashion, the berries and seeds of it are also used for resolving chest complaints.
- Conjunctivitis
The leaves of it are boiled in water and the steam is used to foment the eyes. This relieves the pain and the itchiness of sore eyes.
- Digestive Disorders
Both dyspepsia and loss of appetite can be treated with it. For this reason, the roots of the herb are used. It pacifies the pitta dosha which is accountable for digestion and brings the body to a state of normalcy.
- Insomnia
Due to its hypnotic property, it is prescribed to people who are not capable to sleep soundly at nights.
- Loss of Libido in Men
Ashwagandha is an aphrodisiac, typically for men. This is the curative property for which it is famous all over the globe. In order to increase sexual performance of men, Ayurvedic doctors recommend taking 3 or 4 grams of the root with a vehicle similar to milk or ghee at least half an hour earlier than performing the sexual act. For enduring treatment of these problems, a preparation of ashwagandha is made with pepper, sugar, honey and ghee. This is administered to the person once on a daily basis. In addition to increasing libido, ashwagandha can also treat male problems similar to spermatorrhea and premature ejaculation.
- Rheumatism
It is taken in doses of 3 grams per day for the cure of geriatric problems such as rheumatism. The root of the ashwagandha is used for this reason.
- Skin Problems
Ashwagandha has very successful properties in the cure of problems of the skin. Its roots and leaves are ground into a paste and applied outwardly for the treatment of carbuncles, ulcers and swellings. In case of boils and swelling, its leaves are warmed in water and used to foment the affected areas. For bedsores and wounds, ashwagandha leaves are boiled in fat or ghee and applied to affected area.
- Sterility in Women
It can treat sterility in women and help them conceive a child. Its roots are powdered and taken in quantities of 6 grams with milk. This is taken for a week incessantly later than menstruation.
- Syphilis
It has antibacterial properties, which are made use of in the treatment of syphilis. A paste of its leaves is applied on the syphilitic sores repeatedly. This relieves the itchiness of the sores and treats the disease finally.
- Tuberculosis
In the cure of tuberculosis, it is used in the following way. A decoction of its root is ready with pepper and honey. This decoction is used in the cure of tuberculosis. It is found to be particularly beneficial in the treatment of scrofula, which is painful tuberculosis of the lymph glands that manifests itself in the neck area.
Special Ayurvedic Preparations
The following are some ayurvedic preparations in which ashwagandha are the main ingredient:-
- Ashwagandharishta
Ashwagandharishta is a very valuable extract of ashwagandha with several other herbs such as chandana, manjishta, yashti, Arjuna etc. It is used as a general tonic in several medical problems including debility, digestion problems and psychotic problems similar to hallucinations.
- Ashwagandha lehya
It is made into a fine paste called as linctus. This is ashwagandha lehya which is taken for all the diseases that can be cured with the use of ashwagandha.
Precautions
Ashwagandha is a very helpful herb, but it must never be given to pregnant women. The various chemical constituents of it can lead to abortion of the fetus. Though it is used to right sterility itself, its use must be discontinued as soon as the woman conceives.
Read more on Ashwagandhaand Herbal Remedies and Natural Remedies
