This is the most commonly prescribed herb in my office. I’m surprised that I have waited so long to write about its virtues. Ashwaganda is an Arevedic herb from India. Its use dates back 6,000 years. The name means “to have the strength of a thousand horses”.
In China, the same herb is called Withania. In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), the herb is prepared as a tea. In India (western herbalogy) the active ingredients are extracted in alcohol over the course of several days. This is very important as alcohol is an organic solvent. Many of the organic compounds in Ashwaganda do not dissolve in hot water but will dissolve in alcohol. So although the names are interchanged frequently, they are not really the same herbal preparation.
Ashwaganda is an herbal adaptogen. Please review my blogs on The Endocrine System and Hidden Adrenal Issues. Adaptogens must be able to restore the adrenal cortex and medulla in addition to facilitating DNA repair. Only a few substances have been found on the planet that are capable of this level of healing and all of them are herbs.
The major components of the Ashwaganda are steroidal compounds and alkaloids. The plant stores these chemicals in the root which is the only part of the plant used in herbal preparations. It has no known interactions but is contraindicated the first trimester of pregnancy as studies with female mice have shown some antifertility effects.
