Withania Somnifera and its 7 secret medicinal benefits

 Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha is one of the important plant species known all over the world for its rich medicinal importance. One can also say that it is one of the best natural gifts to mankind. It also has rich importance in Indian Ayurveda; apart from Indian Ayurveda it is also useful in African medicine for variety of disorders. It is also useful in Homeopathy, Siddha, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Unani. It belongs to family Solanaceae and Genus Withania. The herb of Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha is of rich medical importance. Because of its beneficial properties it is also very much popular during ancient times. It is found mainly in Indian sub continents, North Africa and Middle East. In India Withania Somnifera are generally grown in drier regions namely Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Characteristics of Withania Somnifera

It is short and tender Perennial Shrub of 35–75 cm tall.
The plant bears leaves, flowers and fruits.
The leaves are dull green of 10 – 12 cm long
Flowers are small, green and bell shaped.
Fruits are of orange red color

Chemical Composition of Withania Somnifera

Chemically, it is composed of alkaloids and steroidal lactones, which are composed of tropine and cuscohygrine. Cuscohygrine is oil extracted from Withania Somnifera. Leaves of Withania Somnifera also contain chemicals namely steroidal lactones, withanolides and withaferin A. Withania Somnifera is also known as building blocks of atropine, a drug of muscarinic antagonist class.

Withania Somnifera Extracts (Ashwagandha oil)

Apart from plants roots and herb extracts of the plant are also very useful say for example oil extracted from Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha oil is also of rich medical importance. It is helpful for number of disorders including rheumatism, insomnia, arthritis, impotence, loss of libido, improper blood circulation, depression and much more. Ashwagandha oil also poses number of properties such as anti-stress, adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, astringent, antioxidant, rejuvenative, anthelmintic, tonic, diuretic, stimulant, anti-rheumatic, antibacterial, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-arthritic, cardio-protective, immunomodulatory and anti-depressant.

Benefits of Withania Somnifera

Being one of the best medicinal plants it offers number of medicinal benefits for people of all ages. Some of the 7 most important medicinal benefits of Withania Somnifera are.
1. Increases Immunity System: It plays a major role in increasing the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells in the body. It is also known as herbal medicine to rebuild the internal system of the body after illness.

2. Helpful in Treating Insomnia: It treats insomnia by promoting sleep and by good sleep the body can generate energy.

3. Improves Heart Health: It plays a major role in boosting the cardiac health and reduces the risk of heart diseases caused by several factors.

4. Helpful in treating Sexual disorders: It is helpful in treating multiple sexual disorders namely libido, impotence & also increases the sperm count. It is also used as sexuality enhancing tonic in Southern Asia. It is also useful in increasing sexual desire and performance.

5. Helpful in Removing Stress: It has remarkable stress removing properties. The stress removing property of Ashwagandha is also compared to medicines given for anxiety and depression.

6. Prevents Infection: The antibacterial and antifungal properties of Ashwagandha are very useful in preventing infection. It is also helpful in curing vaginal infections.

7. Regulates blood sugar level: It helps in maintaining sugar level in blood thus helps in curing diabetes.

The blog covers all the major disorder or diseases prevented from Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha.