ASHWAGANDHA: Aswagandha, Alikakavo, Indian ginseng, winter cherry (withania somnifera). ID: 45-51

One of the most popular herbs in Ayurveda is Asvaganda. Ayurveda is a traditional, Indian, healing system dating back to 3,000 BC. The word Ayurveda is complex and comes from the Sanskrit words Ayu, meaning life and Veda, meaning science. According to Ayurveda, diet and nature play a very important role in the health of the body. The name, ashwagandha, is a combination of the Sanskrit words ashva, which means horse and gandha, which means smell, which reflects that the root has a strong smell like a horse. The Indians claim that the herb has the smell of sweaty horse and therefore transmits the power of a stallion to anyone who consumes it. Outside of India, it grows and is cultivated in North Africa and the Middle East. This plant has yellow flowers and red fruits that look like berries in size and shape. The extract is usually obtained from the fruit or roots of the plant.

Properties: It is an herb used as a general tonic. It helps the body adapt to stress and also has proven antioxidant properties as well as the ability to keep the immune system healthy. Improves mood reduces stress and significantly improves mental functions. Finally it has important aphrodisiac properties has the ability to restore sexual health and improve vitality. Several studies in humans have shown that it can lower blood sugar levels in both healthy and diabetic people. It can lower cortisol and has been shown to help people with anxiety and stress.

Active ingredients: andanolides - which are triterpene lactones - andanolides, with afferrin A, alkaloids, steroid lactones, tropine and couscogrin. About 40 mendanolides, 12 alkaloids and many cytoindosides were isolated. Withanolides are structurally similar to Panax ginseng ginsenosides, leading to a common name for Aswagandha, "Indian ginseng".

How to use: raw in foods or salads, or mix the powder in water, smoothie, juice, milk, yogurt, etc.