Thanks, Suresh ji, Some extracts from Wikipedia link (for pictures/ more details, pl. click on the link): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashwagandha
*Withania somnifera*, also known as *Ashwagandha*, *Indian ginseng*, *Winter cherry*, *Ajagandha*, *Kanaje Hindi* and *Samm Al Ferakh*, is a plant in * Solanaceae <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanaceae>* or nightshade family. It grows as a stout shrub <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrub> that reaches a height of 170 cm. Like the tomato <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato>which belongs to the same family, it bears yellow flowers and red fruit, though its fruit is berry <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry>-like in size and shape. Ashwagandha grows prolifically in India<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India> ,Nepal <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal>, Pakistan<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan>, Sri Lanka <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka> and Bangladesh<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh>. It is commercially cultivated in Madhya Pradesh<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradesh>(a province in India). In Ayurveda <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda> ashwaganda is considered a rasayana <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasayana> herb. This herb is also considered an adaptogen <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptogen> which is an herb that works to normalize physiological function, working on the HPA axis<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPA_axis>and the neuroendocrine <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroendocrine> system.[*citation needed <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed>*] In Ayurveda, the fresh roots are sometimes boiled in milk<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk>, prior to drying, in order to leach out undesirable constituents. The berries are used as a substitute for rennet <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rennet>, to coagulate milk in cheese <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese> making. *Ashwagandha* in Sanskrit <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit> means "horse's smell", probably originating from the odor of its root which resembles that of sweaty horse <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse>. The species name *somnifera* means "sleep-making" in Latin<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin>, indicating that to it are attributed sedating<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedative>properties, but it has been also used for sexual vitality and as an adaptogen <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptogen>. Some herbalists<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbalist>refer to ashwagandha as Indian ginseng, since it is used in ayurvedic medicine <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurvedic_medicine> in a way similar to that ginseng <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginseng> is used in traditional Chinese medicine <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_medicine> . Seven American and four Japanese firms have filed for grant of patents on formulations containing extracts of the herb Ashwagandha<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashwagandha>. Fruits, leaves and seeds of the Indian medicinal plant *withania somnifera*have been traditionally used for the Ayurvedic system as aphrodisiacs, diuretics and for treating memory loss. The Japanese patent applications are related to the use of the herb as a skin ointment and for promoting reproductive fertility. The U.S based company Natreon has also obtained a patent for an Ashwagandha extract. Another US establishment, the New England Deaconess Hospital, has taken a patent on an Ashwagandha formulation claimed to alleviate symptoms associated with arthritis <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis>.[2]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashwagandha#cite_note-1> . The product called "ashwagandha oil" is a combination of ashwagandha with almond oil <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond_oil> and rose water<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_water>designed to be used as a facial toner <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facial_toner>, therefore should not be consumed. 2009/4/7 Suresh C. Sharma <[email protected]> > *Withania somnifera* > Sonepat, Haryana, 5th Apr 09. > Sanskrit & Hindi : Ashvagandha > > Why is it called Ashvagandha? > > http://drprabhattandon.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/withania-somnifera.jpg > > Best, > Suresh C Sharma > > > > -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
