Ashwagandha

PICT0293
Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick

Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Ajagandha, Kanaje Hindi and Samm Al Ferakh, is a plant in Solanaceae or nightshade family.

The roots and berries of the plant are used in herbal medicine. It grows as a stout shrub that reaches a height of 170cm. It is commercially cultivated in Madhya Pradesh.

The main constituents of ashwagandha are alkaloids and steroidal lactones.

Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means "horse's smell", probably originating from the odor of its root which resembles that of sweaty horse.

The Ashwagandha plant has also become a target of patent seeking overseas firms as can be seen in this TOI report, please click on link:

http://www.hvk.org/articles/0501/69.html