Common Name:  Ashwagandha, winter cherry, withania, Indian ginseng
Family:  Solanaceae
Ayurvedic Name:  Ashwagandha (Bengali); asgandh (Hindi)
Parts Used:  Root
Native To:  India, Africa
Actions:  Adaptogen Immunomodulant Nervine Sedative Tonic
Taste:  Bitter Pungent Sweet
Energy:  Drying Warming
 
Ashwagandha has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to increase energy, improve overall health and reduce inflammation, pain and anxiety.
 
Ashwagandha is classed as an adaptogen, which means it’s part of a non-toxic family of plants that helps your body resist stressors, including physical, chemical, or psychological. It’s able do this by helping to regulate your adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing hormones, including cortisol, otherwise known as the ‘fight or flight’ hormone. This means ashwagandha can help alleviate sleeplessness, increase energy levels, decrease stress, as well as boost cognitive function