ASHWAGANDHA (Withania somnifera)
1. INTRODUCTION :- Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Ajagandha, Kanaje Hindi and Samm Al Ferakh, is a plant in Solanaceae or nightshade family. In Ayurveda ashwaganda is considered a rasayana herb, which works on a nonspecific basis to increase health and longevity. This herb is also considered an adaptogen which is a nontoxic herb that works on a nonspecific basis to normalize physiological function, working on the HPA axis and the neuroendocrine system. The roots and berries of the plant are used in herbal medicine . In Ayurveda, the fresh roots are sometimes boiled in milk , prior to drying, in order to leach out undesirable constituents. The berries are used as a substitute for rennet , to coagulate milk in cheese making. Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means "Horse's smell", probably originating from the odor of its root which resembles that of sweaty horse . The species name somnifera means "sleep-making" in