ASHWAGANDHA : A herb that has profound healing benefits

Is insomnia and loss of general memory the cause of anxiety in you? Are you depressed of general weakness and the performance in your married life?  Need not to worry. There is a king of herbs the use of which  builds strength from within in men and women, in the old and the young, and infuses an element of hope and happiness in you without any side affect. It is Ashwagandha – the wonder herb which helps to cure mental agility, reduce the negative effects of stress in addition to increasing sexual performance.   Traditionally used for more than 3000 years, ashwagandha is a very important herb commonly used in Ayurveda, the oldest surviving healing system in the world. As the name suggest,  it is made up of two Hindi words (ashwa means horse + gandh means smell) because it smells like a sweating horse and it vitalizes the body to providing strength just like that of a horse power. The plant is beautiful and pleasing to look at. A small woody shrub, elliptical green leaves, small uniform 5-petaled flowers, and red seeds. It flowers the year around and takes a year to come to maturity. Harvest is usually between January and March. It requires little attention and no irrigation, it thrives even in the parched climate where other plants wither and die. Large scale cultivation of ashwagandha has been ongoing in both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, but still demand continues to exert tremendous pressure on supply due to its medicinal importance. The root of the plant is the prize, a long taproot and a mass of smaller brown roots held clumps of soil. These are also used as a medicine in formula of Chyavanaprasha. It is useful in osteoarthritis , stress and memory enhancement. It is used against tumor, inflammation and wide range of infection. It is an adaptagen, meaning it adapts to suit what is needed in the body. Uses and benefits : - Many Ayurvedic pharmaceutical companies manufacture different products of ashwagandha in the forms of churan, powder, extracts, capsules, tablets, oils, gel and jams. Studies indicate that the herb helps to reduce bad cholostrol, slows tumour growth, treat anxiety and sleeplessness in addition to increasing sexual performance. Numerous studies by researchers have investigated its anti-inflamatory, anti-oxidant and anti-stress properties. It helps to cure weight loss, cognitive ability, memory, bone cancer, diabetes, rejuvenating the body and increasing longevity. Seven pharmaceutical companies in America and four in Japan have applied for patent to include ashwagandha extract in the manufacture of certain products. More commonly found in the dry regions of India, it is known to grow during late rainy season and has plenty of use, not only in the field of medicine but also in culinary arts. Its berries known as winter cherries are good substitutes for rennet which is an essential ingredient in making cheese. Health wise, there are plenty of benefits one could get from the whole plant, and here are some. :-

• Good results have been seen in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (Amavata), Osteoarthritis (sandhi gata vata), gout (vatarakta), sciatica (gridhasi) and other vata dominant diseases.
• Anti-inflammatory properties, helps in reducing swellings and restoring blood supply.
• Healing properties for wounds and injuries.
• It relieves stress due to presence of vata suppressant properties which helps in nurturing nervous system
• Promotes calmness.
• Is an antioxidant and support the immune system.
• .Helpful in treating urinary tract infections.

An aphrodisiac helping increase sperm count and quality and also helpful in increasing physical endurance.