4 replies to this topic

[NeverSayDie]

From www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net ( a database of over 4000 medicinal herbs)





Medicinal use of Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha is one of the most widespread tranquillizers used in India, where it holds a position of importance similar to ginseng in China. It acts mainly on the reproductive and nervous systems, having a rejuvenating effect on the body, and is used to improve vitality and aid recovery after chronic illness. The plant is little known in the West. The whole plant, but especially the leaves and the root bark, are abortifacient, adaptogen, antibiotic, aphrodisiac, deobstruent, diuretic, narcotic, strongly sedative and tonic. Internally, it is used to tone the uterus after a miscarriage and also in treating postpartum difficulties. It is also used to treat nervous exhaustion, debility, insomnia, wasting diseases, failure to thrive in children, impotence, infertility, multiple sclerosis etc. Externally it has been applied as a poultice to boils, swellings and other painful parts. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. Some caution is advised in the use of this plant since it is toxic. The fruit is diuretic. The seed is diuretic and hypnotic.


Known hazards of Withania somnifera: The plant is toxic if eaten.

Edited by NeverSayDie, 30 October 2009 - 01:26 AM.

[nootrope]

Perhaps they are referring to the tomato-like red berry, which is used as a rennet, but is not otherwise eaten? I haven't seen this elsewhere.

From www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net ( a database of over 4000 medicinal herbs)





Medicinal use of Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha is one of the most widespread tranquillizers used in India, where it holds a position of importance similar to ginseng in China. It acts mainly on the reproductive and nervous systems, having a rejuvenating effect on the body, and is used to improve vitality and aid recovery after chronic illness. The plant is little known in the West. The whole plant, but especially the leaves and the root bark, are abortifacient, adaptogen, antibiotic, aphrodisiac, deobstruent, diuretic, narcotic, strongly sedative and tonic. Internally, it is used to tone the uterus after a miscarriage and also in treating postpartum difficulties. It is also used to treat nervous exhaustion, debility, insomnia, wasting diseases, failure to thrive in children, impotence, infertility, multiple sclerosis etc. Externally it has been applied as a poultice to boils, swellings and other painful parts. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. Some caution is advised in the use of this plant since it is toxic. The fruit is diuretic. The seed is diuretic and hypnotic.


Known hazards of Withania somnifera: The plant is toxic if eaten.

[bobman]

Perhaps they are referring to the tomato-like red berry, which is used as a rennet, but is not otherwise eaten? I haven't seen this elsewhere.

From www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net ( a database of over 4000 medicinal herbs)





Medicinal use of Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha is one of the most widespread tranquillizers used in India, where it holds a position of importance similar to ginseng in China. It acts mainly on the reproductive and nervous systems, having a rejuvenating effect on the body, and is used to improve vitality and aid recovery after chronic illness. The plant is little known in the West. The whole plant, but especially the leaves and the root bark, are abortifacient, adaptogen, antibiotic, aphrodisiac, deobstruent, diuretic, narcotic, strongly sedative and tonic. Internally, it is used to tone the uterus after a miscarriage and also in treating postpartum difficulties. It is also used to treat nervous exhaustion, debility, insomnia, wasting diseases, failure to thrive in children, impotence, infertility, multiple sclerosis etc. Externally it has been applied as a poultice to boils, swellings and other painful parts. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. Some caution is advised in the use of this plant since it is toxic. The fruit is diuretic. The seed is diuretic and hypnotic.


Known hazards of Withania somnifera: The plant is toxic if eaten.

Um no the plant is not toxic. None of it is. Its been eaten without issue in sane amounts for thousands of years.

Some sites are saying that the leaves are toxic but that is completely erroneous. There may be an LD50, but it can be eaten safely in relatively high amounts. The leaf is used in some versions of the popular extract.

When crushed the leaves and root give a pungent smell, so that may be what this bad information is referring to.

I suppose it is possible that the seed is somewhat toxic in large amounts, but so are apple seeds.

Edited by AlexK, 31 October 2009 - 05:58 AM.

[tintinet]

Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review.
Altern Med Rev. 2000 Aug;5(4):334-46. Mishra LC, Singh BB, Dagenais S. Los Angeles College of Chiropractic Whittier, CA
The objective of this paper is to review the literature regarding ashwagandha a commonly used herb in Ayurvedic medicine. This review is in a narrative format and consists of all publications relevant to ashwagandha that were identified by the authors through a systematic search of major computerized medical databases. Studies indicate ashwagandha possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antistress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hemopoietic, and rejuvenating properties. The mechanisms of action for these properties are not fully understood. Toxicity studies reveal that ashwagandha appears to be a safe compound. Preliminary studies have found various constituents of ashwagandha exhibit a variety of therapeutic effects with little or no associated toxicity. Clinical trials using ashwagandha for a variety of conditions should also be conducted.

[tintinet]

Evaluation of the anti-genotoxicity of leaf extract of Ashwagandha


G. Rania, K. Kaurb, R. Wadhwab, S.C. Kaulb, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author and A. Nagpala

aDepartment of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, India

bCell Proliferation Research Team, Gene Function Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8562, Japan

Received 22 June 2004;
accepted 29 July 2004.
Available online 30 November 2004.

Abstract

We have undertaken the studies to investigate the presence of various activities of the leaf extract of Ashwagandha (Lash), a commonly used shrub in Indian traditional medicine, Ayurveda. In the present study, we studied the effect of Lash against MNNG-induced genotoxicity in onion root tip cells. We report that Lash offered substantial protection against the mutagenic effects of MNNG.

Keywords: Ashwagandha; Leaf extract; Onion root tip cells; Genotoxicity; Protection

Edited by tintinet, 31 October 2009 - 01:53 PM.