Asvagandha, the magical herb, is considered to be a nature"s gift to mankind. Withania Somnifer is one of the most powerful medicinal plants, and has been used for more than 3000 years by Ayurveda. The root of this plant is long, smooth, rounded, whitish brown externally and of a fine white colour internally. It is said that the root smells like a horse whence, the Sanskrit name is"Asvagandha". In Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, Asvagandha is described as "Indian Ginseng".

Health Benefits of Asvagandha
Asvagandha is used for arthritis, anxiety, insomnia, tumors, tuberculosis, asthma, leucoderma, bronchitis, backache, fibromyalgia, menstrual problems, hiccups and chronic liver disease. It is regarded as tonic, alterative and aphrodisiac and is used in consumption, emaciation of children, debility from old age, rheumatism, etc.

Dose of Asvagandha in Medicine
In consumption a decoction of Asvagandha root and long pepper is given with the addition of clarified butter and honey. For improving the nutrition of weakly children, the root reduced to a paste, is recommended to be taken with milk and clarified butter for a fortnight.

Asvagandha Ghrita: Take the decoction of Asvagandha root 1 part, milk 10 parts, clarified butter 1 part; boil them together and prepare a ghrita. It is said to promote the nutrition and strength of children.

In rheumatism, a ghrita prepared with a decoction and paste of the root, is used internally and an oil prepared with a decoction of the root and a number of arobrmatic substances in the form of a paste, is used externally.

About half a drachm of Asvagandha root is taken with milk or clarified butter is said to act as an aphrodisiac and restorative to old men. Asvagandha enters into the composition of several medicines intended for use as aphrodisiacs.

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