अश्वगंधा
ASHWAGANDHA Botanical Name: Withania somnifera. Family: Solanaceae. Classical Categorization : Charaka Samhita : Balya, Brahmaniya Mahakashaya. Sushruta Samhita : Not mentioned Bhavaprakasha Nighantu : Guduchayadi varga. Synonyms : 1. Vaaji 2. Haayahvaya 3.Vrahakarni 4. Vardaa 5. Balada 6. Kushthagandhini 7. Kanchuka 8. Kamarupini 9. Gandhapatri 10. Vrisha 11. Ashwavrohaka 12. Marutahani 13. Putrada संस्कृत -अश्वगंधा, वराहकर्णी, हिन्दी -असगंध; बंग्ला-अश्वगंधा; मराठी -आसंध, डोरगुंज; गुजराती -आसंध, घोड़ा आहन, घोड़ा आकुन; तामिल-आमकुलांग; तेलगु -पनेर, कन्नड़ -अश्वगंधी। External Morphology: It is an erect branching undershrub reaching about 5 feets in height, usually clothed with minutely stellate tomentum. Leaves petioled 2-4 inches long, ovate, subacute, base acute. Flowers greenish or lurid yellow, usually about 5 together in subsessile umbelliform cymes. Fruits globose berries, orange coloured when mature, enclosed in a persistant calyx. Habitat: Throughout in drier parts of India. Chemical Composition : Withaferin A, Withanone, Withanolide Ato Y, Somnitol, nicotine, tropine, sominone, sominolide. Rasapanchaka : Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya Guna: Laghu, Snigdha. Virya : Ushana. Vipaka : Madhura. Dosha Karma : Vata Kapha Nashak. Indications : Shukra Dosha, Shivitra, Shotha, Shavasa, Shotha. Part Used : Moola, Patra. Matra: Chorana 3-6 gms. Aamika Prayoga: 1. Vataja hridroga : Kalka of Ashwagandha and Vibhitaki chorana are mixed with honey and given with like warm water. 2.Shavasa : Ashwagandha kshara with honey and ghee is used. 3. Nidranash: Ashwagandha churna with ghee and sugar is useful. Yoga : 1. Ashwagandhadi Churna. 2.Ashwagandha ghrita 3.Aahwagandhaadi Rasayana 4.Ashwagandhaadi lehya 5.Ashwagandharishta 6.Bala Ashwagandha lakshaadi Taila.