Name - अश्वगन्धा

Botanical name - Withania somnifera

Description - Withania somnifera is a much branched erect undershrub. Ovate, stellately pubescent leaves & base acte. Lurid-Yellow flowers, usually about 5, together in a sessile or nearly sessile umbellate cyme. Smooth, red berries, enclosed in the inflated calyx which reaches more than len in Diam, and is globose slightly 5 angled, pointed with the connivent calyx-teeth & scurfy pubescent outside. Yellow scurfy seeds Root is used medicinally

Chemical Constituents- Plant contains withanolides 5-dehydroxywithanolide-R, withasomniferin-A, withanolide E, F, I, K, L, M, S, WS-I, P, G, H, J. Roots contain alkaloids, glycosides, dulcitol, withanol, acylstery glycoside - sitoindoside IX. Leaves contain steroids, alkaloids - withasomine, visamine, glycoside. Important alkaloids are cuscohygrine, anahygrine, tropine, pseudotropine, anaferine, isopelletierine, withaferin A.

Use - Ashvagandha is useful in consumption, sexual and general weakness and rheumatism. Roots used in hiccup, cough, dropsy, rheumatism and gynecological disorders and as a sedative in senile debility. It is diuretic, i.e. it promotes urination, acts as a narcotic, and removes functional obstructions of body. The root powder is applied locally on ulcers and inflammations. -- It is also useful in inflammatory conditions, ulcers and scabies as external application. Leaves used as a febrifuge and applied to lesions, painful swellings and sore eyes.