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Withania Somnifera.
Plant parts used: Roots, leaves and seeds.
Description:
A branched erect shrub, 0.3-1.5 m. Leaves 5-10 x 2.5-5 cm and ovate. Flowers
greenish or lurid yellow, about 5 together in an umbellate cyme.
Chemical Composition:
The roots contain choline, tropanol, pseudotropanol,cuscohygrene,3-
tigloyloxytropane, isopelletierine, anaferine and anahygrine'. Withasomnine also
has been isolated from the roots2. The roots also have been reported to contain
withaferin A and several other steroidal lactones including pharmacologically
active with- anolides. These were also isolated as minor constituents of the
leaves.
Photo credit : Modern Natural products
Medicinal properties:
Significant protection against aspirin and stress-induced ulcers. In Ayurveda, Ashwagandharishta (medicated wine
prepared from the roots of Withania somnifera) is generally administered for patients with anxiety neurosis. Root
extract is used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Contraindication: The commonly prescribed doses are well tolerated.
References:
1. Khanna, K. L. cl al. - Lloydia 26: 258 (1963).
2. Schroter, H. B. et al.: Tetrahedron (London) 22: 2895 (1966).
3. Abraham, A et al.: Phytochemistry 14..189 (1975).
4. Lavic, D. et al.: J. Chem. Soc. 7517: 31 (1965).
5. Schwarting, A. E. et al.: Llyodia 26: 273 (1963).
6. Prasad, L. and C. L. Malhotra: Ind. J. Physiol. & Pharmacol. 12: 175 (1986),
7. Dey, P. K. and B. K. Chatterjec: J. Res. Ind. Med. 3: 1 (1968).
8. Bahr, V. and Hansel, R.: Planta Med. 44: 32 (1982).
9. Shobal, B. et al... Biomedicine 28: 18 (1978).
10. Singh, N. et al.: Int. J. Crude Drug Res. 20..'29 (1982).
11. Singh, R. S. and P. C. Malaviya, J. Res. Ind. Med. Yoga & Homeo, 13: 15 (1978).
12. Daye, D.. Personal Communication.
13. Bector, N. P. et al.: Ind. J. Med. Res. 56: 1581 (1968).
14. Sharma, A. K. and R. H. Singh: Bull. Med. Ethnobot. Res. 1: 262 (1980).
