Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is associated with the energetic planet Mars and has been historically used for general debility, convalescence, failure to thrive in children, memory loss, muscular exhaustion, overwork, to normalize cholesterol, relieve fatigue and nervous exhaustion. It may also renew the hormonal system, help those with manic depression and other psychiatric disorders, promote healing, reduce stress, fight insomnia, effect fertility and impotence, and do so much more.
Its most interesting chemistry includes withanolides, glycosides and several different alkaloids.
Ashwagandha is safe when taken in normal doses. It should not be combined with sedative drugs. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Excerpted with permission from Materia Medica by Liz Johnson (unpublished). For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While we do not sell herbs for internal use, we recognize that once in the customer’s hands, the customer will decide what to do with these products. We provide warning information, updated regularly, with this in mind. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. (Health needs should always be considered before taking herbs, supplements, or medications. Talk to someone qualified in the use of these herbs before using to affect health.)
