Withania somnifera

Bympmarciano

Withania somnifera                                  Common name: Ashwagandha

Family: Solanaceae

Part used: Root & leaf

Constituents: Steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins), sitoinosides, alkaloids, nutrients (iron)

Actions: General tonic, rejuvenating, nervous system tonic, sedative, adaptogen, immuno-modulator, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-anemic, aphrodisiac, oxytocic

Ashwaghanda

Medical uses: Is used to restore health to the nervous system and eases stress and mental exhaustion as it promotes mental clarity and improves memory and stamina. As a tonic for the elderly and to promote growth in children and enhance athletic performance, it also promotes recovery after illness and during convalescence and has great use in various chronic diseases involving inflammation. It will aid with bone regeneration, rheumatism, joint pain and neuralgias and can be used topically for wounds and swelling.

Pharmacology:

  • Steroidal lactones: withanolides & withaferins are anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulant.
  • Sitoinosides are adaptogenic and immuno-stimulant (increase WBC/neutrophils)
  • Alkaloids are sedative, decrease blood pressure, reduce heart rate and are antispasmodic.
  • Increase RBC, WBC and platelet counts.

Pharmacy: Powder: 1-4g QD. Decoction: 3-5g/cup QD. Tincture: (1:2, 25%), 5-13ml QD.

Contraindications: None known.

Toxicity: No adverse effects within recommended dosage. High doses may cause GI pain.

Interactions: If taken with tranquilizers may cause drowsiness and reduce coordination.

Similar Posts

  • Viburnum opulus

    Bympmarciano

    Viburnum opulus                 Common name: Crampbark (V. opulus) Family: Caprifolicaceae Part Used:  Dried cortex   (bark) Constituents: Viburnin (glycoside), valerianic acid, coumarins (scopoletin, scopaline), salicosides, resin and 3% tannin, hydroquinone glycosides (arbutin), bitter (viburnin) Actions:  Antispamodic, sedative, nervous system relaxant, astringent, anti-asthmatic, hypotensive, peripheral vasodilator, muscle relaxant, bitter, uterine tonic, emmenagogue, diuretic Medicinal use: …

  • Atropa belladonna

    Bympmarciano

    Atropa belladonna                       Common name: Deadly nightshade Family: Solanaceae Parts used: Herb & root Constituents: Tropane alkaloids (up to 0.5% in leaves and roots):  hyoscyamine, atropine, scopolamine, hyoscine, belladonnine; Volatile pyridine and pyrrolidine bases; Flavonoids: scopoletin, scopolin, kaempferol and quercetin derivatives. Medicinal actions: Narcotic, spasmolytic, anodyne, secretolytic Pharmacology: Primarily block…

  • Thymus vulgaris

    Bympmarciano

    Thymus vulgaris                                 Common name: Thyme Family: Lamiaceae Part used: Aerial Constituents:  Volatile oil up to 3% inc. terpines such as thymol, carvacrol, borneol, and cineol; Tannins; Bitters; Resin; Flavonoids; Gums. Medicinal Actions:  Anti-septic, anti-helmintic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, astringent, expectorant, secretolitic (decreases over-secretions), spasmolytic. Medicinal use:  The uses for thyme fall into the main categories of pulmonary, urinary,…

  • Lentinus edodes

    Bympmarciano

    Latin Name: Lentinus edodes Common name: Shitake  Family: Marasmiaceae Parts used: Fruiting bodies Constituents: Nutrients, polysaccharides, alkaloids Medicinal actions: Immune stimulation/modulation, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive antioxidant, adaptogen. Medicinal use: Chronic immune dysfunction/disease, altered adrenal function, cancer, chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV infection and AIDS, cancer, Lyme disease, high cholesterol, hyperglycemia and diabetes. Pharmacology: Polysaccharides are…

  • Coleus forskolii

    Bympmarciano

    Common name: Coleus Family: Lamiaceae Part used: Root Constituents:  Diterpenoids (labdane; forskolin/coleanol) Actions: Hypotensive, bronchodilator, inflammation modulating, positive inotropic, lipolysis stimulator, thyroid hormone release stimulator, mood elevator, platelet aggregation inhibitor Pharmacology: Hypotensive and spasmolytic component appears to be coleanol/forskolin. An adenylate cyclase enzyme activator (stimulates the formation of ATP) which increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cells. Appears to bypass the…

  • Tabebula avellanedae

    Bympmarciano

    Latin Name: Tabebula avellanedae             Common name: Pau D’Arco Family: Bignoniaceae Parts used: Inner bark Constituents: Naphthaquinones (lapachol and beta-lapachone), anthraquinones and flavonoids( including quercetin), saponins. Medicinal actions: Antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antineoplastic, immune stimulant. Medicinal use: Fungal infections, such as ringworm, candida, internal inflammatory conditions, cancer. Pharmacology: Flavanoid quercetin inhibits mitochondrial electron transport….