Withania somnifera
Species of flowering plant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha,[2][3][4] is an evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that grows in India, Nepal, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Several other species in the genus Withania are morphologically similar.[3] Other common names include Indian ginseng, poisonous gooseberry and winter cherry.[5]
| Withania somnifera | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Withania |
| Species: | W. somnifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Withania somnifera | |
 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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The plant, particularly its root powder, has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine.[6] Ashwagandha supplements, typically containing root or leaf powder or extracts, are commonly sold.[4] Its use in herbal medicine and dietary supplements notwithstanding, scientific evidence is insufficient to show that W. somnifera is safe or effective for treating any health condition or disease.[3][4]
Description
This species is a short shrub growing 35–75 cm (14–30 in) tall. Tomentose branches extend radially from a central stem. Leaves are dull green, elliptic, and usually up to 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in) long. The flowers are small, green, and bell-shaped. The ripe fruit is orange-red.[3]
Etymology
The Latin species name somnifera means "sleep-inducing".[7] The name ashwagandha is a combination of the Sanskrit words ashva, meaning "horse", and gandha, meaning "smell", reflecting that the root has a strong, horse-like odor.[3]
Cultivation
W. somnifera is cultivated in many of the drier regions of India. It is also found in Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, and Yemen.[8][9] It prefers dry, stony soil with sun to partial shade. It can be propagated from seeds in the early spring or from greenwood cuttings in the later spring.[10]
Diseases and pests
Withania somnifera is prone to several pests and diseases. Leaf-spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata is the most prevalent disease, which occurs in a severe form in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Leaf-spot disease reduces the concentration of its secondary metabolites.[11] The leaves are also prone to Alternaria dianthicola in India.[12]
A treehopper (Oxyrachis tarandus) feeds on the apical portions of the stem, making them rough and woody in appearance and brown in colour.[13]
The carmine red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is the most prevalent pest of the plant in India.[14] In recent years, this plant has been serving as a new reservoir host for an invasive mealybug species Phenacoccus solenopsis.[15]
Phytochemistry
The main phytochemical constituents of W. somnifera are withanolides, a group of triterpene lactones that include withaferin A, alkaloids, steroidal lactones, tropine, and cuscohygrine.[3] Forty withanolides, twelve alkaloids, and various sitoindosides have been isolated from this plant species.[3][16] As these withanolides are structurally similar to the ginsenosides of Panax ginseng, W. somnifera is commonly referred to as "Indian ginseng".[3]
Research
Limited clinical studies have found that supplementation with various ashwagandha extracts may decrease anxiety and perceived stress, and improve sleep.[3][4][17] As the studies used different extract preparations, durations of use, doses, and types of subjects, how ashwagandha may have effects in people remains undetermined, as of 2023.[3][4][17]
Adverse effects
W. somnifera may cause adverse effects if taken alone or together with prescription drugs.[3][4][18] The most common side effects include diarrhea, headache, sedation, or nausea, and the product should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[4][18] Ashwagandha may increase testosterone levels, which could adversely interact with cancer medications.[3][17][18]
Gallery
Fruits
Druggist's jar containing dried roots of Withania somnifera
Dried graded roots of Withania somnifera
References
External links
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