Common name: Winter Cherry • Hindi: Ashwagandha अश्वगंधा, Rasbhari • Kannada: Kanchuki • Marathi: Ghoda, Tilli • Gujarati: Ghodaasun • Telugu: Vajigandha • Malayalam: Amukkuram • Tamil: Amukkuram
Botanical name: Withania somnifera Family: Solanaceae (Potato family)
Ashwagandha, is native to drier parts of India. It is a perennial herb that
reaches about 6 feet in nature.
In the greenhouse they flower in the late fall and winter. Orange fruits in
persistent papery calyxes follow the small greenish flowers.
Ashwagandha is propagated by division, cuttings or seed. Seed is the
best way to propagate them. Seed sown on moist sand will germinate in 14-21
days at 20° C.
A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this
flowers.
Medicinal uses: Ashwagandha has been a prized top notch adaptogenic
tonic in India for 3000 - 4000 years.
The plants contain the alkaloids withanine and somniferine, which are used to
treat nervous disorders, intestinal infections and leprosy.
All plant parts are used including the roots, bark, leaves, fruit and seed.
| Photographed in the
Garden of Five Senses, Delhi |
|
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