Withania somnifera

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Withania somnifera
Withania somnifera
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Withania
Species: W. somnifera
Binomial name
Withania somnifera
(L.) Dunal
Synonyms
Physalis somnifera L.
Withania kansuensis Kuang & A. M. Lu
Withania microphysalis Suess.
Withania somnifera
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Fruits
Withania somnifera, known commonly 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 an herb in
Ayurvedic medicine.
Description
This species is a short annual shrub growing 35 to 75 centimeters tall.
Tomentose branches extend radially from a central stem. The flowers
are small and green. The ripe fruit is orange-red.
Etymology
The species name somnifera means "sleep-inducing" in Latin.
Cultivation
Withania somnifera is cultivated in many of the drier regions of India, such as Mandsaur District of Madhya
Pradesh, Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat,and Rajasthan. It is also found in Nepal.
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 A treehopper, feeds on the apical
portions of the stem, making them rough and woody in appearance and brown in colour. The apical leaves are shed
and the plant gradually dies. The carmine red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is the most prevalent pest of the
plant in India.
Culinary use
The berries can be used as a substitute for rennet in cheesemaking.
Biochemistry
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 to be isolated from the
plant.Wikipedia:Citation needed
Traditional medicinal uses
The plant's long, brown, tuberous roots are used for medicinal purposes.
In Ayurveda, the berries and leaves are applied externally to tumors, tubercular glands, carbuncles, and ulcers. The
roots are used to prepare the herbal remedy ashwagandha, which has been traditionally used to treat various
symptoms and conditions.
In two published clinical trials of W. somnifera, the side effects were not significantly different from those
experienced by placebo-treated individuals. Ashwagandha exhibits greater clinical benefit than psychotherapy in
Withania somnifera
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mental health (anxiety level), concentration, fatigue, social functioning, vitality, and overall quality of
life.Wikipedia:Verifiability
Multiple studies have shown positive effects in reducing physiological and psychological stress as well as restoring
and increasing energy levels. More than one study had findings showing a significant improvement in both
cardiovascular and respiratory endurance.Wikipedia:Verifiability
References
External links
Media related to Withania somnifera at Wikimedia Commons
Article Sources and Contributors
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Article Sources and Contributors
Withania somnifera Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=614006273 Contributors: 2over0, AVand, Ajaypradhanang, Alansohn, Alastair Haines, Allethrin, Alynna Kasmira,
Amrutaherbals, Androsyn, Anetode, Antiuser, Antonius populi, Arcadian, Asarelah, BSW-RMH, Basilargento, Betacommand, Bhadani, Bluemoose, BorgQueen, Burleigh2, Cameron Scott,
ChemNerd, Chris Capoccia, Chris the speller, Clubmarx, Colonies Chris, Cuaxdon, DanielCD, Dark Mage, Darkwind, Deanj59, Deli nk, Dg harini, Difluoroethene, Dolly nambi a.s, Dominus
Vobisdu, Dougweller, Doulos Christos, Drmies, DutchDevil, Dysmorodrepanis, EagerToddler39, Edgar181, Erc, Eumolpo, FF2010, Fennfoot, Flyer22, Gdr, Gerntrash, Granateple, Gyuen,
Hashemi1971, Haymaker, Illia Connell, Itsmejudith, Iustinus, Jamermell, Jastern949, Jpsaleeby, Kanishk vij, Krish Dulal, Ksvaughan2, LAlawMedMBA, Lakshmanan.k, MER-C,
Maliseetprincess, Mangoe, Mark Arsten, Materialscientist, MaxEnt, Mazarin07, Meodipt, Michael Bailes, Mjberggr1504, Mmcknight4, Nadiatalent, OldakQuill, Orpheus, Ottawahitech,
PhnomPencil, Phytogreen, Pksgoldenhelix, Pratyya Ghosh, Quantum Darwinism, Qui1che, Radisesh, Rettetast, Rhode Island Red, Rich Farmbrough, Richiez, Ril1949, Rkitko, Rod57, S.Didam,
Santoshpandit, Shenme, SiobhanHansa, Slashme, Sminthopsis84, Soaringbearhawk, Soaringhawk21, Somayaji.S, Soobrickay, Staticd, Stemonitis, Suchetaav, Sunset10000, Sydney naturopath,
Synapticjunction, Taharka, The Thing That Should Not Be, TheJoy, TheRedPenOfDoom, Therica, Tortie tude, Travis.Thurston, Uhai, VASANTH S.N., Viking59, Vsmith, WhatamIdoing,
Wiki-uk, WikiDan61, Woohookitty, Wowbobwow12, WriterHound, Xris0, Yardang, Yid, , 278 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
File:WithaniaFruit.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:WithaniaFruit.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Wowbobwow12
File: Withania somnifera MHNT.BOT.2012.10.13.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Withania_somnifera_MHNT.BOT.2012.10.13.jpg License: Creative Commons
Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Roger Culos
file:Commons-logo.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Commons-logo.svg License: logo Contributors: Anomie
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
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