Abstract

A REVIEW ON AYURVEDIC PLANT ASHWAGANDHA (WITHANIA SOMNIFERA) IN CLASSICAL LITERATURE

Dr. Supriya K. Raithak*, Dr. D. B. More, Dr. T. A. Pansare and Dr. Shachi Chandil

Abstract

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (Linn)Dunal), is one of the important medicinal herbs in ancient Ayurveda. It is said that the herb tells the strength of a horse, when taken which is known by its name ‘hayahwaya’ (because of providing horse power, it is known by title of horse). all Ayurvedic classic literature like Charaka samhita, Susrutha samhita and Vagbhatta samhita and all the nighantus has complexly mentioned about the properties, action and therapeutic uses of ashwagandha in their workings. Charakacharya, Susruthacharya and Vagbhattacharya does not mention about the shukrala or vajeekarana activities of Ashwagandha. It is later authors like Sharangadhara,Chakradutta, Vrndha Madhava and all nighantu’s which stated about the above said activities of Ashwagandha. This article is a review on Ashwagandha from all the available information in classical literature in Ayurveda.

Keywords: Withania somnifera, Ashwagandha, nighantus classical literature.