Ashwagandha - Herbs From The Land of India

Today we will discuss about one of the most valuable and effective herb from the land of India. Ashwagandha also known as Winter Cherry in English or Withania Somnifera as its botanical name is among the most trusted herbs in Ayurveda. Its root tastes about 90% sweet and 10% bitter (this can vary depending upon the environment, maturity of plant etc.) and is used for various types of treatments.

Ashwagandha is grown in India as a crop and it also can be grown in a kitchen-garden. The plant grows about 170 Centimeter high and it looks like any other common plant. The leaves of the plant are ovate shaped, and the plant bears small but beautiful looking flowers which are yellowish or greenish in color containing orange-reddish small berries. The plant also bears fruits, which are small in size and orange-reddish in color.

For thousands of years, Ayurveda has been using Ashwagandha roots as one of the most powerful remedies as a tonic for vitality and long life. This herb is very helpful in various chronic illnesses and act as rejuvenator, it reduces the Vata Dosha. It has been used as a tonic to restore the energy level in body, if you are suffering from an illness which has brought down your energy making you weak, then in that case a tonic made from Ashwagandha roots and few more herbs can be of a great help for you. Ashwagandha also relieves stress and if taken in right dosage, it works as a natural anti-stress agent for this quality Ashwagandha is also known as "Adaptogen". If you are among the people who do physical work and need lot of energy to complete your day to day works, then Ashwagandha is one of the most valuable energy sources for you. Ashwagandha also helps in fighting physical fatigue and helps in nerve stimulation.

Besides the usage of Ashwagandha as a tonic, it finds its best use in medicines that are meant to build/rejuvenate and nourish reproductive organs in men and women because of its aphrodisiac properties. It helps in rebuilding the sexual energy level and also boosts sexual performance. From ancient times, Ashwagandha has been used as a powerful sedative and a performance enhancer for men, and it also helps in improving libido, stamina and staying ability. Ashwagandha helps in improving semen quality and also in increasing sperm count. No wonder if it is considered as mini-Viagra. Because of its anti-inflammatory qualities, Ashwagandha also helps in fighting inflammation of internal body parts and especially genital organs.

Ashwagandha is often used in combination with other herbs to increase their power and effect. Generally herbs like ginger are given along with Ashwagandha in form of paste or soup. Ashwagandha is a very good memory tonic and works magic when given in combination with other memory tonics. It helps in improving concentration and alertness. Ashwagandha induces the acetylcholine reception ability of brain and acts as cognition-enhancer. It is also used to treat patients suffering from mental illness such as amnesia and people suffering from old age memory loss. As Ashwagandha is a very good stress reliever, it can be effectively used in conditions such as hypertension, stress and chronic painful diseases. Ashwagandha also exhibit anti-carcinogen qualities and can be used in combination with other herbs to fight cancer.

Although Ashwagandha is a natural herb and safe to use having no side effects, people should consult their physician/doctor before trying it for any purpose. It is proven that herbs do not harm human body in any way as they are not synthetic or man made, it still stands chances that if you are already undergoing any type of medication or taking drugs, it might react with these herbs. Hence it is very important that you should consider this fact and then only try out any herb. People also should understand that anything in excess is not good for health and they should abstain from using Ashwagandha more than it is needed for their body.