Ashwagandha
(Withania Somnifera)
What is it?
Widely used in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) medicine, ashwagandha is also known as Indian Ginseng. It improves the response to stress, possibly via an action on the adrenal glands, and also has anti-inflammatory and sedative effects.
What it does in the body
Ashwagandha is used to treat nervous exhaustion, insomnia and malnutrition. It may also be useful in cases of impotence or infertility due to nervous exhaustion, in convalescence, and in debility associated with chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and Crohn's disease.