An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda
Open accessAbstract
Withania somnifera (Ashawagandha) is very revered herb of the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine as a Rasayana (tonic). It is used for various kinds of disease processes and specially as a nervine tonic. Considering these facts many scientific studies were carried out and its adaptogenic / anti-stress activities were studied in detail. In experimental models it increases the stamina of rats during swimming endurance test and prevented adrenal gland changes of ascorbic acid and cortisol content produce by swimming stress. Pretreatment with Withania somnifera (WS) showed significance protection against stress induced gastric ulcers. WS have anti-tumor effect on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell carcinoma. It was also found effective against urethane induced lung-adenoma in mice. In some cases of uterine fibroids, dermatosarcoma, long term treatment with WS controlled the condition. It has a Cognition Promoting Effect and was useful in children with memory deficit and in old age people loss of memory. It was also found useful in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzeimer's diseases. It has GABA mimetic effect and was shown to promote formation of dendrites. It has anxiolytic effect and improves energy levels and mitochondrial health. It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent and was found useful in clinical cases of Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis. Large scale studies are needed to prove its clinical efficacy in stress related disorders, neuronal disorders and cancers.
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Ashwagandha has adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
“Moreover, the adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of ashwagandha [124,125,126] turns this herbal extract into a potential strategy to optimize recovery and promote”
From The 4R’s Framework of Nutritional Strategies for Post-Exercise Recovery: A Review with Emphasis on New Generation of Carbohydrates (2020) · cites this paper as [126]
Ashwagandha is a potential strategy to optimize recovery and promote exercise-induced adaptations.
“turns this herbal extract into a potential strategy to optimize recovery and promote exercise-induced adaptations.”
From The 4R’s Framework of Nutritional Strategies for Post-Exercise Recovery: A Review with Emphasis on New Generation of Carbohydrates (2020) · cites this paper as [126]
Withania somnifera, as an adaptogen, possesses free radical scavenging, antioxidant, and immune-boosting activities.
“W. somnifera, as an adaptogen, has been demonstrated to possess free radical scavenging and antioxidant and immune-boosting activities [78].”
From The Multifaceted Role of Neuroprotective Plants in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [78]
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“somnifera, as an adaptogen, has been demonstrated to possess free radical scavenging and antioxidant and immune-boosting activities [78].”
Background
- Authors
- Singh, N., Bhalla, M., De Jager, P., & Gilca, M.
- Corresponding author
- Singh, N
- Venue
- African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines
- Publisher
- African Journals Online (AJOL)
- Published
- 2011-07-15
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 5S
- Pages
- 208-13
- ISSN
- 0189-6016 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3252722
- OpenAlex
- W2168863220
- Cited by
- 544
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 58 · 2025: 60 · 2024: 85 · 2023: 59 · 2022: 71 · 2021: 63 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicines (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plants and Neuroprotection
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants
- Keywords
- Withania somnifera, Rasayana, Ayurveda, adaptogenic activity, anti-stress activity, swimming endurance, stress-induced gastric ulcer, anticancer activity, neuroprotection, memory enhancement, neurodegenerative diseases, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-arthritic activity, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, mitochondrial health
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Medicine, Ayurvedic, Phytotherapy, Plant Extracts, Rejuvenation, Withania, Mice, Rats
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