Aswagandha, scientifically called Withania somnifera, is often described as the Indian ginseng. As its scientific name “somnifera” suggests, aswagandha induces sleep in people who suffer from insomnia or sleeplessness. Unlike chemical sedatives and tranquillisers, aswagandha calms the body and mind before inducing sleep.
Aswagandha’s odour is not palatable. It smells like a horse’s sweat (in Sanskrit “aswa” means horse and “gandha” means smell). But its health benefits range from fighting insomnia to improving fertility levels, and from controlling diabetes to keeping epilepsy under check. It improves the muscles, fights fatigue and brings down the levels of trauma and suffering.
In Ayurveda, aswagandha finds a variety of uses including fighting cancerous cells, stomach and intestinal problems and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite all its benefits, it has a bad impact on pregnant women. It may cause a miscarriage.