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BOTANICAL NAME: Withania somnifera Dunal
FAMILY: Solanaceae
INTRODUCTION: According to Paippalada Samhita, Asvagandha root juice is given as Nasya to achieve conception. It is a well documented herb in ancient Indian medicine and is considered as panacea. Among the Brhat Trayi texts, Caraka and Vagbhata have called it as a Hayagandha or Hayahvaya whereas Susruta did not. Similarly, Vajigandha is the synonym used by Susruta and Vagbhata not by Caraka. Twice Susruta alone used another synonym “Turangagandha”. Caraka considered it as Balya and Brmhana whereas Susruta and Vagbhata have not described it in their ganas/vargas. On review of literature on Vrsya drugs Brhat Trayi did not emphasize Asvagandha
as Vrsya (when used individually) in their works. It is Sarangdhara who high
lighted the Sukrala property of Asvagandha along with Musali and Satavari.
Brhat trayi infact have emphasized Asvatha as a Vajikarana dravya but not
Asvagandha. From medivial period onwards Asvagandha emerged as a general tonic and aphrodisiac agent. However, it is used traditionally as a wonder
remedy for Amavata and Sandhivata. In the classical literature it is also used
for Vatavyadhi, Kasa, Svasa, Sotha, Svitra, Ksaya etc.
VERNICULAR NAMES
Hindi and english - Ashwagandha.
SYNONYMS
Gatrakri, Turagi, Pivari, Balya, Vajikari, Vajigandha
CLASSICAL CATEGORIZATION
CARAKA : Balya, Brmhaniya, Madhuraskandha
SUSRUTA : -----------
VAGBHATA :-------------
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
It is a under shrub, erect stem, 0.5-2m high. Leaves – entire, obovate, subacute; Flowers – axillary, sessile or shortly pedicled, fascicled or solitary, Hermaphrodite; calyx campanulate, acutely 5-6 toothed, fruit calyx inflated, larger than the berry ; corolla campanulate, 3-6 lobed, short, greenish or lurid yellow; stamens attached at the base of corolla.Fruits-berries, globox. Seedsmany,descoid.
flowes and fruits during november – february
MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTUTIENTS
Withaferin A; Withanone, Withanolide WS-1, Withanolide A to Y;
Somnitol ;Withasomniferin A, Nicotine, Preudotropine, Tropine, Solasodine,
Withasomnine,sominone, sominolide etc
PROPERTIESRASA: Katu,Tikta, Kasaya
GUNA: Singdha, Laghu
VIRYA: Usna
VIPAKA: Katu
KARMA: Vata-kaphahara, Balya, Rasayana, Sukrala
INDICATIONS- Sopha, Svitra, Kasaya, Nidranasa, Granthi, Gandaroga,
Apaci, Klaibya, Vandhyatva
THERAPEUTIC USES-
(1) VATAJA HRDROGA-Kalka of Asvagandha and powder of vibhitaki are
mixed with jaggery and given with luke warm water
(2)SVASA -Ashwagandha ksara is given with honey &ghee
(3)MUTRAGHATA – Decoction of Asvagandga will be useful remedy
(4)NIDRANASA- Powder of Asvagandha shall be taken with ghee and sugar
IMPORTANT PERPERATIONS–
Asvagandharista, Asvagandha-valehya, Asvagandhadhi curna.