Ashwagandha

Source– This post on Ashwagandha is based on the article “Ashwagandha is great, but not for everybody” published in “The Business Line” on 14th April 2024.

Why in the News?

Ashwagandha is growing in popularity, both in India and abroad.

About Ashwagandha

1. Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub found in parts of India, Africa, and the Middle East. It is also known as Indian ginseng or Indian winter cherry.

2. The shrub known as Ashwagandha, a name derived from the Sanskrit words ‘ashwa’ meaning horse and ‘gandha’ meaning smell, which refers to the horse-like odour of its roots. 

3. It belongs to the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family which is the same family as tomatoes and potatoes.

4. Health Benefits:

a) Ashwagandha, scientifically known as Withania somnifera, has been used as a medicinal herb in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

b) This plant is classified as an adaptogen, which means it helps the body manage stress and can restore physiological balance.

c) Its benefits include reducing inflammation, boosting energy levels, easing anxiety and pain, and enhancing sleep quality.

d) Various parts of the plant including the roots, leaves, and berries, contain differing levels of bioactive compounds.

e) Among the most significant of these compounds are withanolides, natural steroids that are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment & Ecology