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Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, or winter cherry, is an evergreen shrub in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Native to India, North Africa, and the Middle East, it is a cornerstone of traditional Ayurvedic medicine and a major herbal crop used worldwide for its reputed adaptogenic properties.
Family: Solanaceae (nightshade family)
Native range: India, North Africa, Middle East
Height: 0.3–2 meters
Main bioactives: Withanolides (e.g., withaferin A, withanolide D)
Common names: Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, winter cherry
Withania somnifera is a small, densely branched shrub covered in fine gray hairs. It bears simple ovate leaves, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers, and red-orange spherical berries enclosed in a papery calyx. The stout, tuberous roots—long and brown with a strong horse-like odor—are the principal medicinal part. The species thrives in sunny, well-drained soils and tolerates drought and heat, making it well suited to arid and semi-arid regions.
The plant contains more than 80 identified compounds, notably steroidal lactones known as withanolides, along with alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids. Withaferin A and withanolide D are the primary pharmacologically active constituents linked to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects.
In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is used as a rasayana (rejuvenative) herb to improve vitality, sleep, and stress resistance. Modern research explores its adaptogenic, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective roles, though evidence remains mixed and further clinical study is required. Beyond South Asia, it is marketed as a dietary supplement for stress, fatigue, and general wellness. However, excessive or inappropriate use can cause adverse effects, including sedation or liver injury.
Product information:
Main raw materials: vitamins
Storage method: normal temperature
Style: 60 capsules, 90 capsules, 120 capsules
Packing list:
Capsules *60 capsules, 90 capsules, 120 capsules
