It is an erect, evergreen, tomentose shrub. The roots are stout, fleshy and whitish brown; the leaves are simple ovate, glabrous; the flowers are inconspicuous, greenish or lurid-yellow, in axillary, umbellate cymes; the berries are globose, orange-red when mature, enclosed in the persistent calyx and have yellow, reniform seeds.

Abortifacient, adaptogen, antibiotic, astringent, deobstruent, narcotic, sedative, tonic, antitumor, stimulates the central nervous system, antihepatotoxic, antiinflammatory and antimicrobial (leaf); stimulates the secretion and/or flow of milk (plant); hypnotic (sedative), aphrodisiac, diuretic, antispasmodic, stimulates the immune system.

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KavaKure (www.kavakure.com).
Mother Natures's (www.mothernature.com).
Nature's Spirit Herbs of Sedona (www.nsherbs-sedona.com).
Vitamins Network (www.vitamins.net).
Withania somnifera
Herbal Monograph
Herb Information

Chlorogenic acid, withaferin A, withanolide D (leaf); anaferine, beta-sitosterol, choline, nicotine, withananine, withanine, somniferine, tropine, somnine, pseudotropine (root); scopoletin (plant); cysteine (fruit).

Rheumatism (root and plant); to coagulate milk (seed); as a uterine sedative, in dropsy, ulcers, scabies, asthma, cough and as a tonic (root); cancer and AIDS; “rasayana agent” in “Ayurveda” medicine (enhances sexual performance),to treat nervous exhaustion, debility, insomnia, wasting diseases, failure to thrive in children, impotence, infertility, multiple sclerosis, applied as a poultice to boils, swellings and other painful parts.

Pregnant women should avoid using this herb. since it may induce an abortion; also. avoid using the herb if congested.

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.