Withania somnifera

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Withania somnifera
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Withania
Species:
W. somnifera
Binomial name
Withania somnifera
(
Dunal
Synonyms[1]
  • Alicabon somniferum (L.) Raf.
  • Larnax morrisonii (Dunal) Miers
  • Physalis alpini J.Jacq.
  • Physalis flexuosa L.
  • Physalis scariosa Webb & Berthel.
  • Physalis somnifera L.
  • Physaloides somnifera (L.) Moench
  • Withania arborescens Dunal
  • Withania chevalieri A.E.Gonç.
  • Withania kansuensis Kuang & A. M. Lu
  • Withania microphysalis Suess
  • Withania morisonii Dunal
  • Withania mucronata Chiov.
  • Withania obtusifolia Täckh.
  • Withania sicula Lojac.
Flower

Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha or winter cherry,[2][3][4] is an evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Several other species in the genus Withania are morphologically similar.[3]

The plant, particularly its root powder, has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine.[5] Although used in herbal medicine and sold as a dietary supplement, there is insufficient scientific evidence that W. somnifera is safe or effective for treating any health condition or disease.[3][4]

Description

This species is a short shrub growing 35–75 cm (14–30 in) tall.

Tomentose branches extend radially from a central stem. Leaves are dull green, elliptic, usually up to 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in) long. The flowers are small, green and bell-shaped. The ripe fruit is orange-red.[3]

Etymology

The Latin species name somnifera means "sleep-inducing".[6] The name "ashwagandha" is a combination of the Sanskrit words 'ashva', meaning horse, and 'gandha', meaning smell, reflecting that the root has a strong horse-like odor.[3]

Cultivation

W. somnifera is cultivated in many of the drier regions of India. It is also found in Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, and Yemen.[7][8] It prefers dry stony soil with sun to partial shade. It can be propagated from seeds in the early spring or from greenwood cuttings in the later spring.[9]

Diseases and pests

Withania somnifera is prone to several pests and diseases. Leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata is the most prevalent disease, which occurs in a severe form in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Leaf spot disease reduces the concentration of its secondary metabolites.[10] The leaves are also prone to Alternaria dianthicola in India.[11]

A

apical portions of the stem, making them rough and woody in appearance and brown in colour.[12]

The carmine red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is the most prevalent pest of the plant in India.[13] In recent years, this plant has been serving as a new reservoir host for an invasive mealybug species Phenacoccus solenopsis.[14]

Phytochemistry

The main phytochemical constituents of W. somnifera are withanolides, a group of triterpene lactones that include withaferin A, alkaloids, steroidal lactones, tropine, and cuscohygrine.[3] Forty withanolides, twelve alkaloids, and various sitoindosides have been isolated from this plant species.[3][15] Because these withanolides are structurally similar to the ginsenosides of Panax ginseng, W. somnifera is commonly referred to as "Indian ginseng".[3]

Research

Limited, low-quality clinical studies have found that supplementation with various ashwagandha extracts may decrease perceived stress and anxiety, and improve sleep.[3][4][16] Because the studies used different extract preparations, durations of use, doses, and types of subjects, it remains undetermined how ashwagandha may have effects in people, as of 2023.[3][4][16]

Adverse effects

W. somnifera may cause adverse effects if taken alone or together with prescription drugs.[3][4][17] A review of 30 clinical trials found that use of W. somnifera may cause problems with sleep, blurred vision, stomach pain, dry mouth, vertigo, among others.[18] The most common side effects include diarrhea, headache, sedation, or nausea, and the product should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[4][17] Ashwagandha may increase testosterone levels which could adversely interact with cancer medications.[3][17][19]

Gallery

  • Fruits
    Fruits
  • Druggist's jar containing dried roots of Withania somnifera
    Druggist's jar containing dried roots of Withania somnifera
  • Dried graded roots of Withania somnifera
    Dried graded roots of Withania somnifera

References

  1. ^ Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2023). "Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Withania somnifera". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Ashwagandha". Drugs.com. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Ashwagandha". MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  5. ISSN 0190-8286
    . Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  6. ISBN 978-0-88192-321-6
    .
  7. PMID 23142795
    .
  8. ISBN 0-7103-1034-X
    .
  9. OCLC 32547547
    .
  10. PMID 23100743
    .
  11. PMID 30781215
    .
  12. ^ Sharma, A; Pati, P.K. (2011). "First report of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, as a New Host of Cowbug (Oxyrachis tarandus, Fab.) in plains of Punjab, Northern India". World Applied Sci. J. 14 (9): 1344–1346.
  13. PMID 22970740
    .
  14. S2CID 85645762
    .
  15. PMID 37428341
    .
  16. ^ a b "Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep?". Office of Dietary Supplements, US National Institutes of Health. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "Ashwagandha". Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  18. PMID 32201301
    .
  19. ^ "Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep?". Office of Dietary Supplements, US National Institutes of Health. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2024.

External links

Look up ashwagandha in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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