Thanks Garg ji for information. I am not sure that
"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." But sure that Withania coagulans is used for this purpose. That's why it is known as Punir or Punir Phool . regards Pankaj Oudhia On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 8:56 AM, J.M. Garg <[email protected]> wrote: > 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]<indiantreepix%[email protected]> > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en > -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- > >
