Charak Samhita

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|title=Charak Samhita
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|keywords=Ashwagandha, Ashvagandha, Withania Somnifera, Indian ginseng, winter cherry, Charak Samhita, carakasamhitaonline, carakasamhita, caraka samhita, Ayurveda, Charak Samhita English translation, ancient Ayurveda text, Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Charak, Charaka Samhita, agnivesha, atreya, gopal basisht, yogesh deole, charak samhita wikipedia edition, charak samhita new edition, charaka samhita new edition, carak samhita new edition, caraka samhita new edition, research on charak samhita, text book charak samhita, fundamental principles of ayurveda, basic concepts of ayurveda,
|description='''Ashwagandha''' (अश्वगंधा) or ''Ashvagandha''; [[Withania somnifera]]), also known as '''Indian ginseng''' or '''winter cherry''', is a [[Rasayana|rasayana]] (rejuvenator) herb in [[Ayurveda]], valued for its adaptogenic, balya (strength-promoting), and nervine properties. Primarily, the root is used for stress management, vitality, immunity, and musculoskeletal health as documented in classical texts like ''[[Charaka Samhita]]'' and modern clinical studies.
|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg
|image_alt=charak samhita
|type=article
}}
'''Ashwagandha''' (अश्वगंधा) or ''Ashvagandha''; [[Withania somnifera]]), also known as '''Indian ginseng''' or '''winter cherry''', is a [[rasayana]] (rejuvenator) herb in [[Ayurveda]], valued for its adaptogenic, balya (strength-promoting), and nervine properties. Primarily, the root is used for stress management, vitality, immunity, and musculoskeletal health as documented in classical texts like ''[[Charaka Samhita]]'' and modern clinical studies.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Narendra |last2=Bhalla |first2=M. |last3=de Jager |first3=P. |last4=Gilca |first4=M. |title=Rational use of Ashwagandha in Ayurveda (Traditional Indian Medicine) – A systematic analysis of the scientific evidence for its pharmacological activities |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |volume=273 |pages=113907 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2021.113907 |pmc=PMC8274455 |pmid=33831467 |year=2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mishra |first1=Laxmi C. |last2=Singh |first2=Betilda B. |last3=Dagenais |first3=Simon |title=Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): a review |journal=Alternative Medicine Review |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=348–357 |pmid=19803596 |year=2000}}</ref>
{{Infobox
{{Infobox
|title = Bibhitaki
|title = Ashwagandha
|label1 = Section/Chapter
|label1 = Section/Chapter
|data1 = Herb database/Bibhitaki
|data1 = Herb database/Ashwagandha
|label2 = Botanical name(s)
|label2 = Botanical name(s)
|data2 = Terminalia bellirica
|data2 = Withania somnifera (Linn.)
|label3 = Family
|data3 =  Solanaceae
|label3 = Contributors
|label3 = Contributors
|data3 = --
|data3 = Dr.Yogesh S. Deole
|label4 = Year of publication  
|label4 = Year of publication  
|data4 =  2021
|data4 =  2026
|label5 = Publisher  
|label5 = Publisher  
|data5 =  [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]
|data5 =  [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]
Line 14: Line 27:
|data6  = Awaited
|data6  = Awaited
}}
}}
==English name==
'''Indian ginseng''' or '''winter cherry'''
==Synonyms ==
Ashwagandha, Wajigandha, Varahakarni
== Ayurvedic pharmacological properties ==
* '''Rasa''' (taste): Madhura (sweet), tikta (bitter)
* '''Guna''' (properties): Snigdha (unctuous), guru (heavy to digest)
* '''Virya''' (potency): Ushna (hot)
* '''Vipaka''' (post-digestive effect): Madhura
* '''Dosha Effect''': Primarily balances [[Vata dosha|vata]], secondarily kapha; aggravates pitta in excess.
* '''Classical Actions''': Medhya (intellect promoter), balya (strength), vajikarana (aphrodisiac), rasayana (rejuvenative).<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last1=Sharma |first1=P.V.|title=Charaka Samhita |publisher=Chaukhamba Orientalia |location=Varanasi |year=2014 |isbn=978-8176371432}}</ref>
==Description==
A perennial shrub from the [[Solanaceae]] family, native to India, the Middle East, and Africa. It grows 35–75 cm tall with oval leaves, small greenish-yellow flowers, and red-orange berry-like fruits. The name "Ashwagandha" derives from Sanskrit ''ashva'' (horse) and ''gandha'' (smell), referring to the root's horse-like odor and vigor-promoting effects.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mirjalili |first1=Mohammad Hossein |last2=Moharramipour |first2=Saman |last3=Hadian |first3=Javad |title=A review on the production of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) active principles: Methods and current status |journal=Journal of Medicinal Plants Research |volume=8 |issue=37 |pages=882–900 |doi=10.5897/JMPR2014.5629 |year=2014}}</ref>
==Pharmacognosy==
Key phytoconstituents include withanolides (e.g., withaferin A, withanolide D), sitoindosides, withanosides, alkaloids (withanine, somniferine), and steroidal lactones. Roots contain highest concentrations (1.5–5% withanolides).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kaushik |first1=M.K. |last2=Kaushik |first2=V.K. |last3=Kumar |first3=A. |title=Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha): A comprehensive review on ethnopharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, biomarkers, and pharmacokinetics |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |volume=267 |pages=113451 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2020.113451 |pmid=33157267 |year=2021}}</ref>
==Clinical Uses==
===Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
Herbs and their activities
|'''Sr.no.'''
|'''Reference in Charak Samhita'''
|'''Activity'''
|-
|1
|Cha. Sa. Sutra sthana  4/9(2)
|Brumhaniya  mahakashaya
|-
|2
|Cha. Sa. Sutra sthana  4/9(7)
|Balya mahakashaya
|-
|3
|Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/136
|Virechana  Dravyani
|-
|4
|Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/139
|Madhur skandha
|-
|5
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana  2/1/34
|Ingredient in Vajikarana  Ghrita
|-
|6
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 13/109
|In the treatment  of Udara roga  (for lepa)
|-
|7
|Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/50
|Dhupan yoga  in arsha roga
|-
|8
|Cha. Sa.  Chikitsa Sthana 17/117
|Kshara mixed with madhuk ghrit is used in hikka shwasa
|-
|9
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/75
|As an ingredient of Dhumapana yoga
|-
|10
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/123
|For pradeha  prayoga in granthi visarpa
|-
|11
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/70
|As an ingredient of Gandha hasti agada
|-
|12
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/80
|As an ingredient of Maha -Gandha hasti agada.
|-
|13
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/244
|As an ingredient of Amruta ghrita
|-
|14
|Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 27/43
|As an ingredient  of Kushthadi Taila
|-
|15
|Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 22/50
|As an ingredient  of Utsadana Yoga
|-
|16
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/166
|As an ingredient of Ashwagandha Taila paka
|-
|17
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/170
|As an ingredient of Vrushamuladi taila
|-
|18
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/173
|As an ingredient of Mulaka taila
|-
|19
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/73
|As an ingredient of Jeevakadi mahasneha
|-
|20
|Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/260
|As a paniya yoga, in the treatment of Stanya dosha
|}
=== Bhavaprakasha ===
* Pacifies [[Vata]]-[[Kapha]] dosha
* Alleviates Shwitra (vitiligo)
* Shotha (oedema)
* Kshaya (depletion of tissues)
* Balya (promotes strength)
* Rasayani (rejuvenating)
* Atishukrala (increases semen and sperm count)
===Neurological===
Reduces stress and cortisol levels (300–600 mg root extract daily); improves sleep quality and cognitive function in trials.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chandrasekhar |first1=K. |last2=Kapoor |first2=J. |last3=Anishetty |first3=S. |title=A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults |journal=Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine |volume=34 |issue=3 |pages=255–262 |doi=10.4103/0253-7176.106022 |pmc=3573577 |pmid=23439798 |year=2012}}</ref>
===Reproductive===
Enhances testosterone, semen quality, and libido in men (675 mg root powder daily).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ambiye |first1=V.R. |last2=Langade |first2=D. |last3=Dongre |first3=S. |last4=Apte |first4=S. |last5=Joshi |first5=K. |title=Clinical evaluation of the spermatogenic activity of the root extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in oligospermic males: a pilot study |journal=Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine |volume=2013 |pages=571420 |doi=10.1155/2013/571420 |pmc=3863556 |pmid=24284701 |year=2013}}</ref>
===Musculoskeletal===
Increases muscle mass and strength (500 mg extract with resistance training).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wankhede |first1=S. |last2=Langade |first2=D. |last3=Joshi |first3=K. |last4=Thakurdesai |first4=P.A. |title=Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial |journal=Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |volume=12 |pages=23 |doi=10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9 |pmc=4658772 |pmid=26009251 |year=2015}}</ref>
==Formulations and Dosage==
Common preparations:
{| class="wikitable"
!Formulation||Dose||Anupana (vehicle)
|-
|Churna (powder)||3–6 g BID||Warm milk/ghee
|-
|Ghrita||5–10 g/day||As prescribed
|-
|Extract capsules||300–600 mg/day||Water
|}
==Safety==
Generally safe (GRAS status); rare GI upset, drowsiness. Contraindicated in hyperthyroidism, pregnancy (uterine stimulant), and nightshade allergy. LD<sub>50</sub> >2 g/kg in rodents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Monograph |url=https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/ashwagandha |publisher=HerbRally |access-date=2026-03-16}}</ref>
==Research==
Over 100 clinical trials support adaptogenic effects; NIH-funded studies are ongoing for anxiety and sleep disorders. Withanolides modulate HPA axis, GABA receptors, and inflammation pathways (NF-κB inhibition).<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |last1=Speers |first1=A.B. |last2=Cabey |first2=K.A. |last3=Souza |first3=M.J. |last4=Spencer |first4=E.A. |title=Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on stress and the stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders anxiety, depression, and insomnia |journal=Current Neuropharmacology |volume=20 |issue=7 |pages=1–17 |doi=10.2174/1570159X19666210813150419 |year=2021}}</ref>
==Current availability ==
Available
== External links ==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withania_somnifera Withania Somnifera]
[https://cb.imsc.res.in/imppat/phytochemical/Withania%20somnifera IMPPAT Database link]
==References==
{{reflist}}
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