Ashwagandha (Winter Cherry)

Aśvagandhā अश्वगन्धा

Withania somnifera · Solanaceae

Common: Winter cherry · Indian ginseng

shrub root ushna cultivated
Ashwagandha (Winter Cherry)

Rasa-Panchaka — five-fold pharmacology

Rasa
tikta · kashaya · madhura— tastes at first contact
Guna
laghu · snigdha— qualities
Virya
ushna— potency (heating)
Vipaka
madhura— post-digestive effect
MadhuraAmlaLavanaKatuTiktaKashaya
The six classical tastes (Ṣaḍ-rasa)

Dosha effect

V
Vata
pacifies
P
Pitta
·neutral
K
Kapha
pacifies
pacifies (↓) aggravates (↑) neutral (·)

Functions

rasayanaadaptogenstructural-tissue tonicAstavarga substitute

Indian ginseng / winter cherry. The premier adaptogenic rasayana. Substitute for Astavarga (Jivaka, Rishabhaka) in cosmetic Ghritas and Tailas.

Used in 8 recipes