Ashwagandha is a plant from the Solanaceae family that is used in Ayurvedic medicine. It grows as a short shrub and its long, brown, tuberous roots are used for medicinal purposes. Ashwagandha is cultivated in drier regions of India and can tolerate temperatures from 20 to 38°C. Traditionally, it has been used to treat tumors, tuberculosis, and anxiety and research suggests it may help reduce cholesterol and improve sperm quality. Potential side effects include stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, and lowered blood pressure.

1. ASHWAGANDHA
GUIDED BY:-
Prof. S.P. Singh
Dr.Akhilendra Verma
PRESENTED BY:-
Dharmendra Kumar
R 12011

2. ASHWAGANDHA
KINGDOM : Plantae
ORDER : Solanales
FAMILY : Solanaceae
GENUS : Withania
SPECIES : W.somnifera
BOTANICAL NAME: Withania somnifera

3. Withania somnifera, also known as
ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison
gooseberry, or winter cherry, is a plant in the
Solanaceae or nightshade family. Several
other species in the genus Withania are
morphologically similar. It is used as a herb in
Ayurvedic medicine.

4. DESCRIPTION
It grows as a short shrub (35–75 cm) with a
central stem from which branches extend
radially in a star pattern (stellate) and
covered with a dense matte of wooly hairs
(tomentose). The flowers are small and
green, while the ripe fruit is orange-red and
has milk-coagulating properties. The plant's
long, brown, tuberous roots are used for
medicinal purposes.

5. ETYMOLOGY
Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means "horse's
smell" (ashwa- horse, gandha- smell),
probably originating from the odour of its root
which resembles that of a sweaty horse.
The species name somnifera means "sleep-
inducing" in Latin.

6. CULTIVATION
Withania somnifera is cultivated in many of
the drier regions of India, such as Mandsau
District of Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Sindh,
Gujarat, and Rajasthan. It is also found in
Nepal.

7. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS FOR
GROWTH
Withania somnifera is grown as late rainy-season
(kharif) crop.Semitropical areas receiving 500 to
750 mm rainfall are suitable for its cultivation as a
rainfed crop. If one or two winter rains are
received, then root development improves.
The crop requires a relatively dry season during its
growing period. It can tolerate a temperature
range of 20 to 38°C and as low a temperature as
10°C. The plant grows from sea level to an altitude
of 1500 meters

8. PATHOLOGY
Withania somnifera is prone to several pests
and diseases. Leaf spot disease caused by
Alternaria alternata is the most prevalent
disease, which is most severe in the plains of
Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
Biodeterioration of its pharmaceutically active
components during leaf spot disease has been
reported. The Choanephora cucurbitarum
causes a stem and leaf rot of Withania
somnifera.

9. CULINARY USE
The berries can be used as a substitute for
rennet, to coagulate milk in cheese-making .

10. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
The main chemical constituents are alkaloids
and steroidal lactones. These include
tropine and cuscohygrine. The leaves
contain the steroidal lactones, withanolides,
notably withaferin A, which was the first
withanolide to be isolated from W. somnifera.

11. TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USES
• In Ayurveda, the berries and leaves of W.
somnifera are locally applied to tumors,
tubercular glands, carbuncles, and ulcers.
• The roots of W. somnifera are used to prepare
the herbal remedy ashwagandha, which has
been traditionally used to treat various
symptoms and conditions.
• Ashwagandha taken in a particular supplement
(Articulin-F) along with other ingredients
might improve arthritis symptoms.
…

12. • ashwagandha combined with deep breathing
and a specific diet might reduce symptoms of
anxiety
• ashwagandha might reduce cholesterol levels
in patients with high cholesterol.
• ashwagandha might improve sperm quality,
but not sperm count, in infertile men.
• ashwagandha may improve attention and
impulse control in children with ADHD.
…

13. SIDE EFFECTS
• Large doses of ashwagandha might cause
stomach upset, diarrhea & vomiting.
• Ashwagandha can irritate the gastro-intestinal
(GI) tract. Don’t use ashwagandha if you have
a stomach ulcer.
• Ashwagandha may slow down the central
nervous system.
• Ashwagandha might decrease blood pressure.

14. THANK
YOU