Botanical name : Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal.

Family : Solanaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Asvagandha, Varahakarni,Vajigandha, Varahika, Varahakarni

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta

Guna : Lakhu, Snigda

Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Winter cherry

Hindi : Asgandh, Punir

Malayalam : Amukkuram

PLANT DESCRIPTION

An erect branching shrub grows up to 150 cm in height. Leaves are ovate and alternate, up to 10 cm long. Flowers are greenish or greenish yellow arises from leaf axils. Fruits are globose berries, become reddish orange when mature and closed by the persistent calyx. Roots are fleshy, cylindrical and tapering towards the end with whitish grey color and pure white inside.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vitiated vata, nerve weakness, impotency, oligospermia and arthritis. The roots are aphrodisiac and stimulant, widely used in rejuvenative ayurvedic formulae. Plant has immuno-stimulant action

Useful part : Root and Leaves.