Omnia SanaCommon names in 9 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 8 pharmacological actions, 9 traditional / indicated uses, with 17 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Erect, branching perennial shrub with soft, downy, oval to lance-shaped leaves. Small, inconspicuous, greenish-yellow bell-shaped flowers are borne in the leaf axils, followed by a small orange-red berry enclosed in a papery, lantern-like calyx, giving rise to the name 'winter cherry'.[5]
Habitat & Distribution
Native to the drier regions of India, the Middle East and parts of Africa; cultivated in warm, semi-arid climates on well-drained soils, notably in central and western India.[5]
Harvesting
The root is dug in winter from plants around one year old, when withanolide content is highest, then cleaned, cut and dried; the leaves are picked through the growing season.[5]
Key Constituents
Steroidal lactones considered the principal bioactive compounds, responsible for most of the plant's adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer research interest.
Minor tropane-type alkaloids contributing to the traditional sedative reputation.
Glycowithanolides linked to adaptogenic and immunomodulatory activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
inferred from neuroprotective action
inferred from ergogenic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →
inferred from neuroprotective action
inferred from ergogenic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional Use & History
Ashwagandha root is one of the most important rasayana (rejuvenative) tonics of Ayurvedic medicine, traditionally used to build strength and vitality, support healthy stress response, and promote restful sleep; this traditional adaptogenic reputation is now supported by clinical trials of standardised root extract for stress, sleep and physical performance.[1, 5]
Preparations
Dosage
Clinical trials for stress and sleep commonly use around 300-600 mg of standardised root extract daily, in divided doses, over several weeks. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally well-tolerated in clinical trials at doses up to 600 mg/day for up to 12 weeks. Common side effects may include mild drowsiness, gastrointestinal upset, and diarrhea at higher doses. Contraindicated during pregnancy due to potential abortifacient effects. May interact with sedatives, immunosuppressants, thyroid medications, and blood sugar medications. People with autoimmune diseases, hyperthyroidism, or scheduled for surgery should consult healthcare providers before use. May cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Not recommended for children without medical supervision.
Duke (2002) classifies ashwagandha activities primarily at the experimental level (score 1), with adaptogenic, sedative, immunostimulant, and anti-inflammatory actions demonstrated in animal and in vitro models. Root preparations are used at 2–3 g powdered root three times daily, or 150–300 mg of standardized extract. Importantly, the plant has documented abortifacient and antifertility properties in animal studies, and its use should be avoided during pregnancy. It may potentiate the effects of barbiturates and sedatives (Duke, 2002).
Herb-Drug Interactions
Herb-Herb Pairings
Both ashwagandha and valerian are calming, sleep-promoting herbs; using them together may add to drowsiness and sedation, so take care especially before driving or when using other sedatives.
Harvest Readiness
[12]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Cheah, K.L., Norhayati, M.N., Husniati Yaacob, L. and Abdul Rahman, R (2021) 'Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis', PLoS One, 16(9), pp. e0257843. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257843 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257843 - Speers, A.B., Cabey, K.A., Soumyanath, A. and Wright, K.M (2021) 'Effects of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) on stress and the stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders anxiety, depression, and insomnia', Current Neuropharmacology, 19(9), pp. 1468-1495. doi:10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556 - Arumugam, V., Vijayakumar, V., Balakrishnan, A., B Bhandari, R., Boopalan, D., Ponnurangam, R., Sankaralingam Thirupathy, V. and Kuppusamy, M (2024) 'Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on stress and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Explore, 20(6), pp. 103062. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2024.103062 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2024.103062 - Lopresti, A.L., Smith, S.J., Malvi, H. and Kodgule, R (2019) 'An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study', Medicine, 98(37), pp. e17186. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017186 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000017186 - Paul, S., Chakraborty, S., Anand, U., Dey, S., Nandy, S., Ghorai, M., Saha, S.C., Patil, M.T., Kandimalla, R. and Prockow, J (2021) 'Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha): a comprehensive review on ethnopharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, biomedicinal and toxicological aspects', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 143, pp. 112175. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112175 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112175 - Dar, N.J., Hamid, A. and Ahmad, M (2015) 'Pharmacologic overview of Withania somnifera, the Indian ginseng', Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 72(23), pp. 4445-4460. doi:10.1007/s00018-015-2012-1 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-015-2012-1 - Pandit, S., Srivastav, A.K., Sur, T.K., Chaudhuri, S., Wang, Y. and Biswas, T.K (2024) 'Effects of Withania somnifera extract in chronically stressed adults: a randomized controlled trial', Nutrients, 16(9), pp. 1293. doi:10.3390/nu16091293 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091293 - Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S.R. and Bhattacharyya, S (2015) 'Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial', Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, pp. 43. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9 - Choudhary, D., Bhattacharyya, S. and Bose, S (2017) 'Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) root extract in improving memory and cognitive functions', Journal of Dietary Supplements, 14(6), pp. 599-612. doi:10.1080/19390211.2017.1284970 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2017.1284970 - Tiwari, S., Gupta, S.K. and Pathak, A.K (2021) 'A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera dunal.) root extract in improving cardiorespiratory endurance and recovery in healthy athletic adults', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 272, pp. 113929. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.113929 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.113929 - Singh, N., Yadav, S.S., Rao, A.S., Nandal, A., Kumar, S., Ganaie, S.A. and Narasihman, B (2020) 'Review on anticancerous therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 270, pp. 113704. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113704 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113704 - Plants For A Future 'Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha, Winter Cherry)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Withania+somnifera Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Withania+somnifera - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Sharma, A.K., Basu, I. and Singh, S (2018) 'Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(3), pp. 243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0183 - Gannon, J.M., Forrest, P.E. and Roy Chengappa, K.N (2014) 'Subtle changes in thyroid indices during a placebo-controlled study of an extract of Withania somnifera in persons with bipolar disorder', Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 5(4), pp. 241-245. doi:10.4103/0975-9476.146566 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.146566 - Caus, M.N., Lupoae, M. and Chitescu, C.L (2026) 'Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Supplements with Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, and Sedative Action: A Review of Clinical Data and Toxicological Risks', Pharmaceuticals, 19(3), pp. 399. doi:10.3390/ph19030399 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030399 - Makhlouf, E.A., AlamElDeen, Y.K., El-Shiekh, R.A. and Okba, M.M (2024) 'Unveilling the antidiabetic potential of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.) and its withanolides - a review', Natural Product Research, 39(24), pp. 7203-7218. doi:10.1080/14786419.2024.2439009 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2024.2439009
Selected studies & references
All 16 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.