Riya Sen [Guru] Reward Points : 93800 Member Since : Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Withania somnifera, also commonly known as Ashwagandha in India is reported to have anti-carcinogenic effects in animal and cell cultures by decreasing the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB, suppressing intercellular tumor necrosis factor, and potentiating apoptotic signalling in cancerous cell lines. What are the other medicinal use of this plant?
Ashwagandha has a long medicinal history stemming back 4000 years. Ashwagandha is a vital drug in Ayurveda or Indian traditional medicine. This particular herb was used to treat various infectious diseases as well as tremors and inflammation especially arthritis. Ashwagandha is a beautiful delicate plant native to India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Defined by deep green leaves, branched limbs, and topped by seeded yellow flowers. Ashwagandha is a stunning in appearance and of vital importance in Ayurveda or Indian Medicine. Withania Somnifera has a long history, about 4000 years, as a holistic herb used to treat a variety of ailments. Historically these ailments include : Tremors Inflammation Infectious Diseases Longevity Sexual Enhancing The shoots of the Ashwagandha shrub are used in in food and in India seeds of the Ashwagandha are used to thicken milk. African tribes also use Withania Somnifera to treat fevers, and other inflammations. Ashwagandha is usually crushed and used in a traditional Ayurvedic formula called shilajit. Ashwagandha has similar properties as ginseng. Ashwagandha is heat neutral which means it has no warming or cooling properties. Unlike ginseng which is a warming herb. The active ingredients in Ashwagandha are alkaloids and withanoloids. It the withanoloids within Ashwagandha that give it all it s medicinal qualities. Withanoloids consist of steroidal molecules which act to fight inflammation. Aswagandha is often compared to Asian ginseng which contain molecules like withanoloids called ginsenosides. For this reason Aswagandha is occasionally called Indian ginseng. Therefore, both ginseng and Ashwagandha stimulate the immune system, stop inflammation, increase memory, and helps maintain general healthy and wellness. Also it is known to increase the production of bone marrow, semen, and inhibit s the aging process. The modern medical uses of Ashwagandha are varied. One area in which it has been helpful is in the treatment of mental health issues. One study in particular gave 30 anxiety sufferers 40 ml doses twice a day of a solution with it s major ingredient of Withania Somnifera. After 30 days, all anxiety symptoms including panic attacks and paranoia had virtually disappeared. American therapists have also found the herb useful in treating depression. Alcohol dependency, and schizophrenia. Also, when Ashwagandha is taking regularly memory and learning skills increase dramatically. Many studies have been conducted to see the effects of Ashwagandha on tumors, arthritis, and other forms of inflammation. The studies proved that Ashwagandha acts as an anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory agent. It s naturally occurring steroidal content is much higher than that of hydrocortisone which is a common treatment in cancer cases. When taking Ashawagandha, like any medicine to be careful. Overuse and abuse of a herbal medication can be equally as dangerous and deadly as with any traditional medicine. Things to remember: If congested, do not take. Do not use if pregnant, breast feeding, complications are unknown. Talk to a doctor before using as adjunct treatment for AIDS, and cancer.
Posted On : 4/5/2009 10:57:42 PM
Babulal Tiwari [Guru] Reward Points : 51700 Member Since : Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Its medicinal value is significant in the sense that it was used for tumors, leprosy, rheumatism, inflammation including arthritis and other infectious diseases. Ashwagandha gives vitality and vigor and helps in building great endurance. This herb is also believed to cure mental problems. According to a reported study this herb was given to 30 patients suffering from anxiety neurosis in two equally divided doses for one month. After the completion of the month all the ailments had disappeared. Ashwagandha also helps to undergo a regeneration of the hormonal system and heal tissues and is used for combating stress, supports healthy libido, helps to maintain a calm composure and also promotes relaxation. It also works in suppressing pains of any sort. Ashwagandha is also used very effectively for insomnia but not as a sedative. It is also known for building sexual energy. Ashwagandha is even known for strengthening the female reproductive system for which it is commonly combined with another Ayurvedic herb called shatavari or asparagus racemosa . Any athlete looking for that edge would do well to consider Ashwagandha. According to the TCM system, Ashwagandha would be used as a Kidney Yang tonic because of its warming and aphrodisiac properties. It helps in relieving from the feeling of numbness and burning sensation in extremities and also helps in improving mental ability and also in retaining power and improves mental concentration. But there is also a word of caution associated with the use of this medicinal herb. Ashwagandha may increase the effect of other herbs or medications. It is important to review with the health-care provider before taking a dose of Ashwagandha. In the recent times it is cultivated because of its great commercial demand.
Posted On : 4/6/2009 12:36:38 AM
Maniam PS [Guru] Reward Points : 137200 Member Since : Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Ajagandha, Kanaje Hindi and Samm Al Ferakh, is a plant in Solanaceae or nightshade family. It grows as a stout shrub that reaches a height of 170 cm. Like the tomato which belongs to the same family, it bears yellow flowers and red fruit, though its fruit is berry-like in size and shape. Ashwagandha grows prolifically in India,Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is commercially cultivated in Madhya Pradesh a province in India . In Ayurveda ashwaganda is considered a rasayana herb. This herb is also considered an adaptogen which is an herb that works to normalize physiological function, working on the HPA axis and the neuroendocrine system. citation needed In Ayurveda, the fresh roots are sometimes boiled in milk, prior to drying, in order to leach out undesirable constituents. The berries are used as a substitute for rennet, to coagulate milk in cheese making. Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means horse s smell , probably originating from the odor of its root which resembles that of sweaty horse. The species name somnifera means sleep-making in Latin, indicating that to it are attributed sedating properties, but it has been also used for sexual vitality and as an adaptogen. Some herbalists refer to ashwagandha as Indian ginseng, since it is used in ayurvedic medicine in a way similar to that ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Seven American and four Japanese firms have filed for grant of patents on formulations containing extracts of the herb Ashwagandha. Fruits, leaves and seeds of the Indian medicinal plant withania somnifera have been traditionally used for the Ayurvedic system as aphrodisiacs, diuretics and for treating memory loss. The product called ashwagandha oil is a combination of ashwagandha with almond oil and rose water designed to be used as a facial toner, therefore should not be consumed Ashwagandha is reported to have anti-carcinogenic effects in animal and cell cultures by decreasing the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB, suppressing intercellular tumor necrosis factor, and potentiating apoptotic signalling in cancerous cell lines
Ashwagandha, Medicinal Plant
