Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera winter cherry)

Source: Bazaar of India

Withania somnifera is classified in Ayurveda as a rasayana, a group of plant-derived drugs that promote physical and mental health, augment resistance against disease and diverse adverse environmental factors, revitalise the body in debilitated conditions and increase longevity.

Studies indicate that Withania somnifera possesses anti-inflammatory, antistress, antioxidative and rejuvenating properties.

It also appears to exert a positive influence on the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous systems.

Study results show that it helps in the maintenance of myocardial (heart muscle) antioxidant status and contributes to the significant restoration of most of the altered haemodynamic parameters in heart disease7.

Ashwagandha and stress

The American heart association classifies “stress” as a “contributing risk factor” for heart disease.

Ashwagandha is an herb that enhances resistance to stress, increases stamina and promotes general wellbeing. It has a rejuvenating effect on the body. It imparts a sense of wellbeing and helps one cope with stress.

According to an Ashwagandha Monograph published in Alternative Medicine Review (2004), clinical trials and animal research support the use of Ashwagandha for treating anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders.

Other commonly used herbs like Lasuna (garlic) and Haridra (turmeric) are potent vessel relaxants and also reduce the

atherogenic (hardening of arteries) properties of cholesterol.

References:

1. Ornish D, Brown SE, Scherwitz LW, Billings JH, Armstrong WT, Ports TA, McLanahan, SM, Kirkeeide RL, Brand RJ, Gould KL. Can lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease? The Lifestyle Heart Trial. Lancet. 1990 Jul 21;336(8708):129-33.

2. Kumar DS, Prabhakar YS. On the ethnomedical significance of the Arjun tree, Terminalia Terminalia arjuna. (Roxb.) Wight & Arnot. J Ethnopharmacol. 1987 Jul;20(2):173-90.

3. Terminalia arjuna. Altern Med Rev. 1999 Dec;4 (6):436-7.

4. Dwivedi S, Jauhari R. Beneficial effects of Terminalia Terminalia arjunain coronary artery disease. Indian Heart J. 1997 Sep-Oct;49(5):507-10.

5. Bharani A, Ganguli A, Mathur LK, Jamra Y, Raman PG. Efficacy of Terminalia Terminalia arjunain chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comparing Terminalia Terminalia arjunawith isosorbide mononitrate. Indian Heart J. 2002 Mar-Apr;54(2):170-5.

6. Gupta R, Singhal S, Goyle A, Sharma VN. Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of Terminalia Terminalia arjunatree-bark powder: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. J Assoc Physicians India. 2001 Feb;49:231-5.

7. Mohanty I, Arya DS, Dinda A, Talwar KK, Joshi S, Gupta SK. Mechanisms of cardioprotective effect of Withania somnifera in experimentally induced myocardial infarction. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2004 Apr;94(4):184-90