Withania  somnifera

                                                            withaferin A
Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Ajagandha, Kanaje Hindi, Amukkara (Tamil), Samm Al Ferakh, is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Withania coagulans (Dunal) (Paneer dodi, Ashutosh booti) is a related species


Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means "horse's smell," probably originating from the odor of its root which resembles that of a sweaty horse.
The species name somnifera means "sleep-inducing" in Latin.

Medicinal Uses of Ashwagandha
According to Charaka Samhita, Ashwagandha is strong. Sushrut and Chakradutt also consider it to be strong. According to them there is no other plant in Ayurveda, which can provide so much of strength. Chakradutt says that consuming this medicine for 15 days regularly with milk, ghee or plain water brings back the youth fullness. It is very effective in case of Leucoderma, bronchitis and asthma according to Kirtikar and Vasu. Nadkarni says that Ashwagandha is a tonic, which increases sperm count and sexual potency. In the rural areas vegetable made out of this plant is given to TB patients. It increases the iron content in the blood. Sohat has termed it anti-tumor. It is considered to be one of the seven ayurvedic herbs capable of curing AIDS. The Bidaphyrine chemical present in the plant is capable of killing the cancer cells. C.A. Mayor has compared this herb with the famous Ginseng and Ashwagandha is called as Indian Ginseng.
Ashwagandha for Weakness:

Taking Ashwagandha powder with milk, ghee or water cures weakness in children, weakness in old people and reduces the aging process. (Available Kohinoor Gold Capsules with one of the ingredients as Ashwagandha)

Ashwagandha for Sleeplessness:

Taking ashwagandha powder with ghee made out of cow milk or sugar cures sleeplessness and pain in the hips.

The decoction is beneficial to cure tuberculosis. Adding honey in the juice of winter cherry leaves cures the problem of sleeplessness due to joint pain.

Pain in the Hips and Back Pain:

Adding sugar candy and ghee in Ashwagandha powder cures pain in the hips and backache. (Available Arthcare Massage Oil containing Ashwagandha)

Ashwagandha for Weak Eyesight:

Add liquorice in Ashwagandha powder and take it with amla juice to cure weak eyesight

Ashwagandha for Old Age Problems:

Taking Ashwagandha powder with honey and ghee regularly for one month in winter season cures old age problems.

Ashwagandha for Heart Pain:

Take Ashwagandha powder and Baheda with jaggery for quick relief in heart ache. ( Available Cardocare Capsules containing Ashwagandha)