Also known as Indian ginseng, winter cherry, withania and withania somnifera, ashwagandha is a plant that comes from the same family as the tomato. It actually looks similar to a tomato as it bears yellow flowers and red fruit but the fruit is the same size as a berry. Herbal medicine uses all parts of this plant as a remedy for a number of different conditions including nervous exhaustion, fatigue and memory loss.

The name ashwagandha is actually a Hindi name that means "horse's smell" which refers not only to the smell of a horse but to the strength of one as well.

For more than 25 centuries, ashwagandha has been used a "vitalizer" because of the balancing, rejuvenating, calming and strengthening effect it has on the nervous system. Aside from the conditions mentioned above, ashwagandha has a wide reputation for being an aphrodisiac and an effective treatment for men with sterility and other sexual ailments.

Because of it's ability to provide an instant charge of long-lasting energy without the use of stimulants, ashwagandha is also a good choice for anyone involved in sports and/or body building. It also promotes tissue regeneration and slows the aging process.

Ashwagandha has been shown to be beneficial in treating the following health conditions:

Alzheimer's disease and memory problems - By modifying the way in which the brain uses a chemical that transmits messages between nerve cells called acetylcholine, ashwagandha can help correct memory loss. If oxygen levels are low, the brain destroys its own cells to acquire acetylcholine. This causes neurofibrillary tangles to become formed by the cell remnants, thereby blocking the transmission of nerve signals. The result is the development of Alzheimer's-like symptoms. With ashwagandha, the chances of the brain destroying it's own cells become lessened.

Stress - Ashwagandha has been used in ayurvedic medicine for centuries as a general tonic to stimulate long-tern endurance. Within the herb are steroid like compounds that may increase one's resistance stress.

Cancer - Ashwagandha extracts increase platelet counts, white blood cell counts and red blood cell counts during cancer chemotherapy treatment with cyclophosphamide, which is a drug used to kill cancer cells. In India, studies on animals indicate that ashwagandha's ability to sensitize cancer cells to radiation treatment makes treatment 50 percent more effective. Other studies have also shown ashwaganda to be helpful in putting cancerous tumors into regression.

Arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome - Studies in animals suggest that natural occurring steroids in ashwagandha are more effective than treatment with the synthetic steroid hydrocortisone for controlling inflammation. Pain associated with arthritis can also be reduced with these steroidal compounds just as effectively as they are with aspirin without the side effects.

Diminished sex drive - Ashwagandha reduces the frequency of premature ejaculation and increases sexual stamina. The alkaloids and withanoloids within the herb have longevity-enhancing and sexually stimulating properties.

Aswaganda is available in capsule from. Whatever product you choose should be standardized for withanolides. For the conditions listed above, a product called ashwagandha oil should NOT be used. This product is a mixture of ashwagandha with almond oil and rose water and is designed to be used as a facial toner. Do not use ashwagandha berries as they can cause severe gastrointestinal pain.

* Important notes: If you are taking prescription drugs for any kind of seizure disorder, anxiety or insomnia, you should avoid this herb.

It is recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to using ashwagandha or any alternative therapies. Any recommended doses are for those over age 18. Always check herb and vitamin use with your child’s health care practitioner prior to administering them.