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.