Origin
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is also called “Indian ginseng” and is a nightshade plant that bears bright red fruits. For use in Ayurveda it is mainly used.a its root. Translated from Sanskrit, Ashwagandha means “smell of the horse,” as it is assumed that whoever consumes it will become strong as a horse. In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha has been used for over 3000 years for infertility, aging and strengthening.a of blood flow is estimated.
From an alternative medical perspective, Ashwagandha is also an adaptogenic plant. Adaptogenic plants have aroused particular scientific interest in recent years because of their ability to adapt to environmental factors. DH They take away what there is too much of and fill up what is lacking. DH The idea behind using these plants is that they could also contribute to this self-regulation in the human organism.
Benefits and mode of action
In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is used to calm the Vata and Kapha doshas. In German it is also referred to as “sleep berry”, which already reveals another purpose in Ayurveda: Promoting sleep and relaxation as well as relieving anxiety as well as poor memory and concentration.
Ashwagandha supports balance in the nervous system and, according to the teachings of Ayurveda, ensures calm and clarity of mind. It is therefore often used for overexertion and chronic exhaustion.
A double-blind study with 98 participants published in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association 2008;11(1) 50 - 56 in 2008 is dedicated to the reduction of stress-dependent parameters by taking 125 mg or 250 mg Ashwagandha 2x per day - resulting in a significant reduction in clinical and biochemical stress indicators without any undesirable side effects.
The biologically active components of the root of Withania somnifera are withanolides (steroids) and alkaloids. The root has been used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis, dyspepsia, impotence, scabies and ulcers, and for abortion (WHO, 2009). In traditional Chinese medicine, the rhizome is used, among other things, as an analgesic, antipyretic and as an antimalarial agent (Teuscher and Lindequist, 2010).
Withania somnifera roots are classified as “Rasayana”, which means “tissue regeneration” and is a description of the group of rejuvenating agents (Gupta and Rana, 2007; Rege et al., 1999). In addition to life-extending and rejuvenating effects, Withania is said to have calming properties (Andrade et al., 2000; Mirjalili et al., 2009). It is used as a tonic known as “medharasayana,” which means “promotes learning and memory,” and for geriatric problems (Mirjalili et al., 2009).
A study from 2015 suggests that Ashwagandha contributes to muscle building: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26609282/
The roots are used as a health-promoting nutrient in pregnant women and the elderly (Mirjalili et al., 2009).
There is a positive WHO monograph for medicinal use for the root of Withania somnifera (Radix Withaniae) (WHO, 2009). The dosage for medicinal use is 3-6 g or 250 mg of the dried and ground root twice daily as an anti-stress agent (WHO, 2009) Source for above.G Points: Source: https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/risikobewertung-von-pflanzen-und-pflanzlichen-zubereitungen.pdf
Legal consumer information
German and European case law wants to protect consumers from supposedly misleading claims about effectiveness. The statements made here refer to the original Ayurvedic and TCM texts. This ancient knowledge, which is thousands of years old, is based on experiences that are passed on from generation to generation. It is not intended to claim that the products described here have an effect in the sense of western medicine. All products are nutritional supplements; they are not medications and have no medical effect. If you are sick and need medical care, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.