Indian Winter Cherry - Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha, also known as "Winter Cherry," improves the body's ability to maintain physical effort and helps the body adapt to various types of stress. Perhaps the most famous Ayurvedic rejuvenative botanical used in many tonics and formulas, Ashwagandha is a rejuvenative that helps maintain proper nourishment of the tissues, particularly muscle and bone, while supporting the proper function of the adrenals and reproductive system. Used by both men and women, it acts to calm the mind and promote sound, restful sleep. Ashwagandha has been used to treat conditions such as fatigue, chronic disease, impotence, and waning memory.

Ashwagandha works as an adaptive, promoting the body's ability to maintain homeostasis and resist stress. It prevents or minimizes imbalances that may lead to disease, whether from poor diet, lack of sleep, mental or physical strain, or chemical toxins in the environment. It is especially beneficial in stress related disorders such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, general debility, etc. It has also shown impressive results when used as stimulants for the immune system. Ashwagandha is a unique herb with anti-stress adaptogenic action that leads to better physical fitness and helps cope with life's daily stress.

Ashwagandha is the pure extract of one herb. It is also available in the following herbal blends as one of the main ingredients: StressCare - Natural Herbal Blend (1005 mg - 60 Tablets) VigorCare for Men - Natural Herbal Blend (505 mg - 60 Capsules) VigorCare for Women - Natural Herbal Blend (450 mg - 50 Capsules) MindCare - Natural Herbal Blend (1015 mg - 60 Tablets) OsteoCare - Natural Herbal Blend (450 mg - 60 Capsules) GeriCare - Natural Herbal Blend (1005 mg - 60 Tablets)

Herbal Ashwagandha Usage:

Herbal Ashwagandha Demonstrated to boost the immune system
The assessment of immunomodulatory activity was carried out by hematological and serological tests. A significant modulation of immune reactivity was observed in laboratory settings. Ashwagandha Root demonstrated substantial increases in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and white blood cell count.

Herbal Ashwagandha’s Traditional uses confirmed in clinical and laboratory results
All available literature relevant to Ashwagandha was systematically reviewed by researchers from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Adult Psychopharmacology Program at the National Institute of Mental Health and the San Antonio Chochrane Center to determine its safety and effectiveness. The analysis revealed that traditional uses of Ashwagandha in Ayurveda correspond with [in vitro] clinical and laboratory results, confirming anxiolytic as well as antidepressant activity; toxicity studies report no adverse events.

Herbal Ashwagandha Helps to Cure Mental Problems
This is perhaps one of the most promising applications of this herb. In a reported study, this herb was given to 30 mental patients suffering from anxiety neurosis in doses of 40 ml/day. (in two equally divided doses.) for one month. At the end of the month, most of the anxiety disorders, panic attacks and similar mood phobias, had disappeared. In trials by American psychiatrists, this herb had been found useful for the treatment of manic depression, alcoholic paranoia, and schizophrenia. Learning enhancement and memory retention had improved substantially when aswagandha capsules were taken regularly on a daily basis for 45-60 days.

Herbal Ashwagandha Norishes and rejuvenates the tissues
Calms the mind and promotes relaxation - Promotes vitality and strength - General adaptogen for combating stress - Supports healthy libido - Boosts the immune system - Prevents imbalances in body caused by poor diet, lack of sleep, mental or physical strain, and chemical toxins in the environment SIZE Available in a pack of 60 capsules (250 mg). Does not contain added sugar, salt, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives..

Herbal Ashwagandha work as an aphrodisiac
Ashwagandha enjoys the reputation in the West as an aphrodisiac, a use supported by a recent study in which more than 70 percent of men reported increased libido and sexual function after taking the herb.

Ashwagandha Dosage:
Take 1 or 2 capsules twice daily with meals. Allow several weeks for benefits. The use of natural products provides progressive but long-lasting results.

Herbal Ashwagandha Side Effects
Herbal Ashwagandha capsule is not known to have any side effects when used as per the prescribed recommendation.

Herbal Ashwagandha Clinical Studies:

Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) - monograph.
Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, or winter cherry, has been an important herb in the Ayurvedic and indigenous medical systems for over 3000 years. Historically, the plant has been used as an aphrodisiac, liver tonic, anti-inflammatory agent, and more recently to treat asthma, ulcers, insomnia, and senile dementia. Clinical trials and animal research support the use of ashwagandha for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders, inflammation, and Parkinson's disease. Ashwagandha's chemopreventive properties make it a potentially useful adjunct for patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. Ashwaganda is also used therapeutically as an adaptogen for patients with nervous exhaustion, and debility due to stress, and as an immune stimulant in patients with low white blood cell counts.

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) attenuates antioxidant defense in aged spinal cord and inhibits copper induced lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modifications.
Ashwagandha is classified in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, as a rasayana, a group of plant-derived drugs which promote physical and mental health, augment resistance of the body against disease and diverse adverse environmental factors, revitalize the body in debilitated conditions and increase longevity. We investigated the effects of Ashwagandha on copper-induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in aging spinal cord of Wistar rats. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased significantly in the spinal cord from adult to aged mice. Treatment with Ashwagandha successfully attenuated GPx activity and inhibited lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner. Ashwagandha inhibited both the lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modification induced by copper. These effects were similar to those of superoxide dismutase and mannitol. The results indicate the therapeutic potential of Ashwagandha in aging and copper-induced pathophysiological conditions.

Growth inhibition of human tumor cell lines by withanolides from Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) leaves.
Ayurvedic medicines prepared in India consist of Withania somnifera roots (ashwagandha) as one of the main ingredients. Ashwagandha is consumed as a dietary supplement around the world. The leaves of ashwagandha were used in the treatment of tumors and inflammation in several Asian countries. We have isolated twelve withanolides from the leaves of this species. Compounds were tested for their anti-proliferative activity lung, colon, central nervous system and Breast human tumor cell lines. Withaferin A and its derivatives exhibited inhibitory concentrations. Viscosalactone B (12) showed the 50% inhibition. Therefore, incorporation of ashwagandha in the diet may prevent or decrease the growth of tumors in human.

Evaluation of the anti-proliferative and anti-oxidative activities of leaf extract from in vivo and in vitro raised Ashwagandha.
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is used in Indian traditional medicine, Ayurveda and is believed to have a variety of health promoting effects. Molecular mechanisms and pathways underlying these effects have not been studied. We tried to characterize various activities of leaf extract of Ashwagandha (Lash) raised in the field and in the laboratory. We found that the Lash from field-raised plants has a significant anti-proliferative activity in human tumorigenic cells. However, it did not impart any protection against the oxidative damage caused by high glucose and hydrogen peroxide to human tumor cells suggesting that it can be used as an anti-tumor, but not as an anti-oxidant, substance.

Withaferin A is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis.
The medicinal plant ashwagandha is widely researched for its anti-inflammatory, cardioactive and central nervous system effects. In Ayurveda , the major Traditional Indian medicine system, extracts from ashwagandha are distinctively employed for the treatment of arthritis and menstrual disorders. Because these conditions involve angiogenic processes we hypothesized that the ashwagandha extracts might contain angiogenesis inhibitors. We employed an endothelial cell-sprouting assay to monitor the purification of substances from ashwagandha root extracts and isolated as the active principle the previously known natural product withaferin A. In conclusion, our findings identify a novel mode of action of withaferin A, which highlights the potential use of this ashwagandha extract for cancer treatment or prevention.