Ingredient profile
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
One of Ayurveda’s best-known rasayana roots, traditionally used to support strength, stamina and a calm response to everyday stress.
- Hindi
- अश्वगंधा
- Sanskrit
- Ashvagandha
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Part used
- root
Traditional use
Ashwagandha is a small evergreen shrub of the nightshade family with velvety leaves and orange-red berries. Its long, pale roots carry a distinctive earthy smell, which gives the plant its Sanskrit name: “that which smells like a horse”, a reference to the strength it has long been associated with.
In Ayurvedic tradition
In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is one of the most important rasayana herbs, the group of rejuvenating botanicals taken regularly to support strength and vitality. Classical texts describe it as a balancing tonic for vata, and it remains one of the most widely used Ayurvedic herbs today, both on its own and in formulations.
Ayurvedic properties
- Rasa (taste): Bitter, astringent, sweet
- Guna (qualities): Light, unctuous
- Virya (potency): Heating
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Sweet
- Effect on the doshas: Balances vata and kapha
How it is traditionally taken
The dried root is traditionally powdered and taken with warm milk or water, often in the evening. Today it is also widely taken as capsules of root powder, which makes the dose consistent and avoids its strong taste.
Safety notes
Speak to a registered practitioner before use if you are pregnant or nursing, take thyroid or sedative medication, or are managing a medical condition. Use as directed on the product label. This profile is for general education and is not medical advice.
References
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (monograph: Ashvagandha) pharmacopoeia