| Withania somnifera | |
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Withania |
| Species: | W. somnifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Withania somnifera | |
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| Synonyms[1] | |
List
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Withania somnifera, known commonly asashwagandha,[2][3][4] is an evergreen shrub in theSolanaceae or nightshade family that grows in India, Nepal, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Several other species in the genusWithania are morphologically similar.[3] Other common names includeIndian ginseng,poisonous gooseberry andwinter cherry.[5]
The plant, particularly its root powder, has been used for centuries intraditional Indian medicine.[6] Ashwagandhasupplements, typically containing root or leaf powder orextracts, are commonly sold.[4] Its use inherbal medicine and dietary supplements notwithstanding, scientific evidence is insufficient to show thatW. somnifera is safe or effective for treating any health condition or disease.[3][4]
This species is a short shrub growing 35–75 cm (14–30 in) tall.Tomentose branches extend radially from a central stem. Leaves are dull green, elliptic, and usually up to 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in) long. The flowers are small, green, and bell-shaped. The ripe fruit is orange-red.[3]
The Latin species namesomnifera means "sleep-inducing".[7] The nameashwagandha is a combination of theSanskrit wordsashva, meaning "horse", andgandha, meaning "smell", reflecting that the root has a strong, horse-like odor.[3]
W. somnifera is cultivated in many of the drier regions ofIndia. It is also found inNepal,Sri Lanka,China, andYemen.[8][9] It prefers dry, stony soil with sun to partial shade. It can be propagated from seeds in the early spring or fromgreenwood cuttings in the later spring.[10]
Withania somnifera is prone to several pests and diseases. Leaf-spot disease caused byAlternaria alternata is the most prevalent disease, which occurs in a severe form inPunjab,Haryana, andHimachal Pradesh. Leaf-spot disease reduces the concentration of itssecondary metabolites.[11] The leaves are also prone toAlternaria dianthicola in India.[12]
Atreehopper (Oxyrachis tarandus) feeds on theapical portions of the stem, making them rough and woody in appearance and brown in colour.[13]
Thecarmine red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is the most prevalent pest of the plant in India.[14] In recent years, this plant has been serving as a new reservoir host for an invasivemealybug speciesPhenacoccus solenopsis.[15]
The mainphytochemical constituents ofW. somnifera arewithanolides, a group oftriterpenelactones that includewithaferin A,alkaloids,steroidallactones,tropine, andcuscohygrine.[3] Forty withanolides, twelve alkaloids, and various sitoindosides have been isolated from this plant species.[3][16] As these withanolides are structurally similar to theginsenosides ofPanax ginseng,W. somnifera is commonly referred to as "Indian ginseng".[3]
Limited clinical studies have found that supplementation with various ashwagandhaextracts may decreaseanxiety and perceivedstress, and improve sleep.[3][4][17] As the studies used different extract preparations, durations of use, doses, and types of subjects, how ashwagandha may have effects in people remains undetermined, as of 2023.[3][4][17]
W. somnifera may causeadverse effects if taken alone or together withprescription drugs.[3][4][18] The most common side effects includediarrhea, headache,sedation, ornausea, and the product should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[4][18] Ashwagandha may increasetestosterone levels, which could adversely interact with cancer medications.[3][17][18]
The dictionary definition ofashwagandha at WiktionaryAuthority control databases: National |
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