| General Description | | | | of these problems, a preparation of ashwagandha is |
| Ashwagandha is an indigenous Indian herb, which is | | | | made with sugar, honey, pepper and ghee. This is |
| popular in the west as the Winter Cherry. The Indian | | | | administered to the person once daily. In addition to |
| name of the herb literally means 'horse smell' (ashwa | | | | increasing libido, ashwagandha can also treat male |
| = horse, gandha = smell). It is called so because its | | | | problems like spermatorrhea and premature |
| root smells like horse's urine when wet. Ashwagandha | | | | ejaculation. |
| is a small to medium sized herb, growing up to 1.5 | | | | (vi) Rheumatism |
| meters at a maximum with small green flowers | | | | Ashwagandha is taken in doses of three grams per |
| growing in clusters of about 25 in number. This herb | | | | day for the treatment of geriatric problems such as |
| is found in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, apart | | | | rheumatism. The root of the ashwagandha is used |
| from India. | | | | for this purpose. |
| | | | (vii) Skin Problems |
| Properties | | | | Ashwagandha has very effective properties in the |
| The following curative properties of ashwagandha are | | | | treatment of problems of the skin. Its roots and |
| made use of in Ayurvedic medicine:- | | | | leaves are ground into a paste and applied externally |
| (i) Ashwagandha is best known for its stimulating | | | | for the treatment of carbuncles, ulcers and swellings. |
| properties on the libido. It is used as an aphrodisiac in | | | | In case of boils and swelling, its leaves are warmed in |
| men. For this reason, ashwagandha is also referred to | | | | water and used to foment the affected parts. For |
| as the Indian ginseng. | | | | bedsores and wounds, ashwagandha leaves are |
| (ii) Ashwagandha is a mild hypnotic. It can be used in | | | | boiled in fat or ghee and applied. |
| allaying pains. | | | | (viii) Sterility in Women |
| (iii) Ashwagandha is effective in treating urinary | | | | Ashwagandha can treat sterility in women and help |
| ailments. It can facilitate easy flow of urine. Also it | | | | them conceive a child. Its roots are powdered and |
| helps in opening the sweat pores, which make it | | | | taken in quantities of six grams with milk. This is |
| possible to expel liquid wastes through perspiration. | | | | taken for a week continuously after menstruation. |
| (iv) Ashwagandha is an antibiotic and an antibacterial | | | | (ix) Syphilis |
| agent. | | | | Ashwagandha has antibacterial properties, which are |
| Uses | | | | made use of in the treatment of syphilis. A paste of |
| Ashwagandha is indispensable in various constituents | | | | its leaves is applied on the syphilitic sores continually. |
| of Ayurvedic medicine. The following are some ways | | | | This relieves the itchiness of the sores and treats the |
| in which it is used in treatment of diseases. | | | | disease eventually. |
| (i) Common Cold | | | | (x) Tuberculosis |
| Ashwagandha is used in opening up the respiratory | | | | In the treatment of tuberculosis, ashwagandha is |
| tract and treating diseases that originate in the chest | | | | used in the following manner. A decoction of its root |
| cavity. If a person has a common cold, then the | | | | is prepared with pepper and honey. This decoction is |
| powdered root of ashwagandha is taken in quantities | | | | used in the treatment of tuberculosis. It is found to |
| of three grams. Decoction of the ashwagandha root | | | | be especially beneficial in the treatment of scrofula, |
| is also popularly used. In a similar fashion, the berries | | | | which is a painful tuberculosis of the lymph glands |
| and seeds of the ashwagandha are also used for | | | | that manifests itself in the neck region. |
| resolving chest complaints. | | | | Special Ayurvedic Preparations |
| (ii) Conjunctivitis | | | | The following are some Ayurvedic preparations in |
| The leaves of the ashwagandha are boiled in water | | | | which ashwagandha is the main ingredient:- |
| and the steam is used to foment the eyes. This | | | | (i) Ashwagandha lehya |
| relieves the pain and the itchiness of sore eyes. | | | | Ashwagandha is made into a fine paste known as |
| (iii) Digestive Disorders | | | | linctus. This is ashwagandha lehya which is taken for |
| Both dyspepsia and loss of appetite can be treated | | | | all the diseases that can be cured with the |
| with ashwagandha. For this purpose, the roots of the | | | | consumption of ashwagandha. |
| herb are used. Ashwagandha pacifies the pitta dosha | | | | (ii) Ashwagandharishta |
| which is responsible for digestion and brings the body | | | | Ashwagandharishta is a very valuable extract of |
| to a state of normalcy. | | | | ashwagandha with several other herbs such as |
| (iv) Insomnia | | | | manjishta, yashti, arjuna, chandana, etc. It is used as |
| Due to its hypnotic properties, ashwagandha is | | | | a general tonic in several medical problems including |
| prescribed to people who are not able to sleep | | | | debility, digestion problems and psychotic problems |
| soundly at nights. | | | | like hallucinations. |
| (v) Loss of Libido in Men | | | | Precautions |
| Ashwagandha is an aphrodisiac, mostly for men. This | | | | Ashwagandha is a very beneficial herb, but it must |
| is the curative property for which it is renowned all | | | | never be prescribed to pregnant women. The various |
| over the world. In order to increase sexual | | | | chemical constituents of ashwagandha can lead to |
| performance of men, Ayurvedic doctors prescribe | | | | abortion of the fetus. Though it is used to correct |
| taking three or four grams of the root with a vehicle | | | | sterility itself, its use must be discontinued as soon as |
| like milk or ghee at least half an hour before | | | | the woman conceives. |
| performing the sexual act. For permanent treatment | | | | |