Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameAshwagandha
Formal nameAsvagandha
Other names　　　

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Nagauri aasgandha (T), Aaskanda (B), Asgandha (H), Angarberu (K), Amukkuram (M), Pennerugadda (Te), Amukkuramkizhangu (Ta), Aasgandhi (Ti), Ashvagandha (N), Amukkara (Sin)
English nameWinter Cherry Root
Original plant nameWithania somnifera (L.) Dunal, Winter Cherry Root
Family nameSolanaceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification root
Production area informationIndia
Collection informationIndia, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Collection date2011/09/09
CollectorKatsuko Komatsu, et al.
TMPW No.27448

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
location of its administrative area is indicated.　　
Production area information
India
https://ethmed.toyama-wakan.net/img/pin_san.png
13.0826802
80.27071840000008
Collection information
India,Chennai, Tamil Nadu
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Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name		Asvagandha, Winter Cherry Root
SynonymsKandini, Vajigandha, Ksupa, Parpotivatphala, Vanaja, Vrttaparni, Hayagandha, Dugandha, Bahavanda, Turaga, Hayahvaya, Varahakarni, Varada, Balada, Kusthagandhini, Kambukastha, Varahika, Varahakarni, Turagi, Vanaja, Vajini, Hayi, Pustida, Balada, Punya, Pivara, Palasaparni, Vataghni, Syamala, Kamarupini, Kalapriyakari, Balya, Gandhapatri, Hayapriya, Varahapatri
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Original plant nameWithania somnifera (L.) Dunal
Family nameSolanaceae
Used partRoots
Distribution areaIn the drier parts of India upto 1800m altitude. Cultivated for commercial purposes, especially in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
RemarksAbundant.
Common usesRoot is alterative, aphrodisiac, deobstruant, diuretic, antiinflammatory, narcotic and abortifacient. They are useful in consumption, rheumatism, female disorders, debility from old age and general weakness. The root is also useful in dyspepsia, marasmus in children and pain in lumbar region. Asvagandha is used in several Ayurvedic preparations along with other herbal drugs such as "Laksa guggulu", "Raktavardhak", "Abana", BR-16A etc., in the treatment of hypercholestroemia, mental disturbances, convulsions etc. Asvagandha is classified as tranquilizer and adaptogenic. The herbal drug is found to decrease the degree of anxiety and depression and can be used as antidepressant.
Therapeutic usesSvitra (leucoderma), Sopha (swelling), Ksaya (emaciation), Jaravyadhi (senile diseases), Kasasvasa (respiratory afflictions), Vrana (wounds), Krmi (worm infestation), Ksata (chest injury)
Chemical constituentOthers
- The roots contains: alkaloids (0.13 to 0.31%).
- Several alkaloids - in all 13-Dragendorff positive components have been obtained so far.
- Both the cultivated and wild roots have same alkaloids - Withamsonine and Visamine. Two glycowithanolides were isolated from the roots.
- In addition to alkaloids roots contain starch, reducing sugars etc.

Pharmacological effectTotal alkaloids of the root have a variety of pharmacological actions. The total alkaloids showed relaxant and anti-spasmodic effects against several spasmogens on intestinal, uterine, bronchial, tracheal and blood vascular muscles. The pattern of smooth muscle activity of the alkaloids was similar to that of papaverine which suggested a direct musculotropic action, both as relaxant and as spasmolytic. The alkaloids are however, much weaker than papaverine. This pharmacological action lends credence to the use of asvagandha in asthma and as a uterine sedative in Ayurvedic system of medicine. It exhibited prolonged hypotensive, bradycardiac and respiratory-stimulating action in dogs. The depressant action on the higher cerebral centers also contributes to the hypotension. The total alkaloids produced a taming and a mild depressant effect on the CNS in several experimental animals. The total extract (70% alcoholic) of the roots possess the same properties as the total alkaloids, but is nearly half as potent. Along with Panax ginseng and Tribulus terrestris, Asvagandhga was found to give improvement over all psychomotor functions including adaptability of patients to various stresses and in the building up of tissues.
Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Tikta (Bitter), Kasaya (Astringent), Katu (Pungent)
Virya (Potency)Usna (Hot)
Guna (Quality)Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)		Madhura (Sweet)
Karma
(General action)		Balya (promoting strength), Rasayana (rejuvenative), Vrsya (aphrodisiac)
Dosakarma
(Action on dosa)		Decreases Vata Kapha
Dhatukarma(Action
on body tissues)		Sukrala (increasing reproductive tissue), Dhatuvrddhikara (increasing all body tissues)
Traditional usage1. Leaf paste is of Asvagandha (Withania somnifera) applied to tumours/tumors and swellings.

2. Ghee cooked with Asvagandha along with 4 times milk increases bulk of the muscular tissue. This is also nourishing.

3. Asvagandha decoction prepared with Ghrta (Ghee) is given for getting progeny, to a woman immediately after menstrual period.

4. Asvagandha powder is taken either with milk, ghee or sesame oil is good for children to promote growth and for lean persons to gain weight and body bulk.

5. Powder is taken with ghee and sugar for insomnia.

6. Asvagandha taken with milk, ghee, oil or tepid water for a fortnight promotes development of body.

7. Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), Sankhapuspi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Asvagandha and Satavari (Asparagus racemosus) should be used to promote intellect, life span, stability and strength.

8. One who takes powder of Asvagandha root in late winter mixed with honey and ghee along with milk regains youthfulness even if old.

9. The powder of Asvagandha, Tila (Sesame), Masa (Phaseolus mungo) taken with goat's ghee and honey for consumption.

10. One may also take powder of jaggery, Asvagandha and Pippali (Piper longum) mixed with ghee and honey for consumption.

11. One should take milk cooked with Asvagandha which provides nourishment to the body or ghee obtained from that of milk should be taken after adding with sugar and followed by intake of milk.

12. Asvagandha, Yava (Hordeum vulgare) and Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) should be used for rubbing externally for consumption.

13. The paste of Pippali, Draksa (grapes), jaggery mixed with honey and oil alleviates consumption. Similar is the powder of Asvagandha, Pippali, jaggery mixed with honey and ghee.

14. The ash of Asvagandha should be taken with honey and ghee for bronchial asthma.

15. In granthi Visarpa (a type of erysipelas) the part should be sprinkled with hot decoction of leaves (of Eranda etc.) and cow's urine or warm paste of Asvagandha should be applied externally on the affected part.

16. The roots of Asvagandha or Arka (Calotropis procera) or Nimba (neem) or Devadaru (Cedrus deodara) are mixed with honey, mustard and anthill earth should be anointed thickly and applied as paste in urustambha (a Vata disorder).

17. The powder of Asvagandha mixed with sugar and taken with ghee alleviates insomnia and brings sleep quickly.

18. The paste of Asvagandha and Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica) mixed with jaggery and taken with tepid water alleviates Vata located in heart.

19. One affected with accidental wound should lick powder of Asvagandha with jaggery or ghee or should take with milk. It also acts as rejuvenative.

20. Decoction of Asvagandha removes suppression of urine and promotes urination.

21. Milk processed with Asvagandha and added with milk should be taken by the woman in proper time. It helps in conception.

22. Ghee cooked with one fourth paste of Asvagandha and ten times milk. It promotes development of body and is useful in emaciated children.

23. Devadaru, Sophanjana (Moringa oleifera) and Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera) or Asvagandha pounded with cow's urine, if taken alleviates severe abdominal disorders, worms and oedema.
FormulationAsvagandha curna, Asvagandharista, Asvagandhadi ghrta, Asvagandhadi leha, Balasvagandhadi taila, Cyavanaprasa, Valiyanarayana taila.
CommentsVajigandha, Turagagandha, Asvagandha - all these names attribute horse smell to this plant. Varada, Pustida, Balya denote that it is very good rejuvenative.

This is included in the Balya, Brmhaniya, Madhuraskandha groups of Caraka.
ReferencesReference book　

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[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 5 (Repr.1997), pp 409-411.

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, 1956. Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. - New Edition (1996) National Institute Science Communication; Supplement
p 258.

Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in Ayurveda, 1996. Sarin, Y.K., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
p 12.

Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant Sources, 1994. Sivarajan, V.V. and Balachandran, I., Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
p 65.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol I, Ed. I, 1989. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dept. of Health, New Delhi
pp 15-16.

Plants in Ayurveda (A Compendium of Botanical and Sanskrit Names), 1997. Abdul Kareem, M., Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore
1725.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, pp 763-765.

RemarksThe sample is the cultivated variety of Asvagandha which is available in the Indian markets. Roots of the wild variety are bigger and thicker with brownish bark. Cultivated plants are reported to differ from the wild ones not only in their morphological characters but also in their therapeutic action, though the alkaloids present are the same in both. In view of these differences some botanists consider the cultivated plants distinct from the wild ones and have given it a new specific name - Withania asvagandha Kaul.
Last renewal date2023/11/06
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