Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

Ashwagandha is a small woody shrub, usually about two feet tall. It can be found in Africa, the Mediterranean and northern India. An upright evergreen fluffy shrub, 30-150 cm tall, found in deserted areas and on the Bund in the drier areas of India. The root is thick and fleshy, whitish brown. The leaves are single ovate, glabrous, smaller and opposite in the flower area. Flowers are inconspicuous, green or light yellow, axillary, umbel-shaped cymes; berries are small, spherical, orange-red when mature, surrounded by persistent calyx; seeds are yellow, kidney-shaped. The root is the main part of the plant used for treatment. The bright red fruits are harvested in late autumn, the seeds are dried, and the seeds are sown the following spring. There have been hundreds of years of experience in Ayurvedic medicine using hypnotic flowers (Withania somnifera). It has pharmacological value as adaptogen, sphingosine, anti-inflammatory, anti-cellulite, diuretic, tranquilizer and tonic. Stimulates the activation of immune system cells (such as lymphocytes and phagocytes). Counteract the effects of stress and promote health in general