SyneraBotanica
Materia Medica

Solanaceae

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

A calming, restorative adaptogen from Ayurveda used to rebuild depleted stress resilience, support restful sleep and steady the body under chronic strain.

Also known as
Winter cherry, Indian ginseng
Parts used
Root
Taste
Bitter, Sweet, Astringent
Energetics
Warming · Moistening
Sourcing
Cultivated

Actions

AdaptogenNervine trophorestorativeAnxiolyticImmunomodulantThyroid stimulant (mild)

Traditional use

In Ayurveda ashwagandha is a rasayana — a rejuvenative given to the weak, the convalescent and the elderly to restore vitality (ojas). Its Sanskrit name refers to the smell of a horse, and by extension the strength of one.

Classically prepared as a powder simmered in milk with ghee and honey, it was used for exhaustion, emaciation, poor sleep and nervous debility, and as a tonic for male and female reproductive health.

Research

  • Lowers perceived stress and serum cortisol

    Clinical

    Multiple randomized, placebo-controlled trials of root extracts (typically 240–600 mg/day for 8 weeks) report reduced stress scale scores and lower morning cortisol versus placebo.

    Lopresti AL et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186. Chandrasekhar K et al. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(3):255–262.

  • Improves sleep onset and quality

    Clinical

    Trials in adults with insomnia show modest improvements in sleep latency and efficiency measured by actigraphy.

  • GABA-mimetic activity

    Preclinical

    Extracts and withanolides show GABA-A receptor activity in vitro, a plausible basis for the anxiolytic effect.

Key constituents

Withanolides (withaferin A, withanolide D)
Steroidal lactones considered the primary active group.
Sitoindosides
Glycowithanolides linked to anti-stress activity in animal models.
Alkaloids (somniferine, tropine)
Present in small amounts; contribute to sedative profile.

Sourcing notes

Widely cultivated in India and increasingly in North America. Insist on root-only material — leaf-blended extracts are cheaper and chemically different.

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