Rediscovering the Indian Ginseng: Ashwagandha

Interestingly,many physicians in our country who have been trained in the Western system of medicine do not seem to acknowledge the virtues of Ashwagandha. My request to them is to pay attention to the wisdom in Ayurveda that has been accumulated over the centuries just as they pay heed to ideas emanating from other modern sources.

In many countries in Europe and particularly in US,there is an ever increasing scientific interest at the knowledge embodied in the Ayurveda. Ashwagandha,in particular,has aroused enormous interest and even the Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre has acknowledged its potential benefits for cancer treatment.

Although Ginseng and Ashwaganda are botanically unrelated,at a basic level of perception they seem to impart similar benefits — vigour and strength. Hence,Ashwagandha has often been called the Indian Ginseng. The two are quite different in their chemistry and in the health benefits that they provide.

Ashwagandha,which if literally translated means “redolent of a horse”,has many beneficial properties as recent studies have corroborated. Traditionally,Ashwagandha was prescribed after an illness in order to strengthen the immune system. It is also an ingredient in the Ayurvedic tonic Chyawanprash,which also serves as food supplement.

It is hard to conceive that a small shrub of Ashwagandha is endowed with so many biologically active compounds. These compounds are extracted not just from its fruit (berries) but also from its leaves and roots. It is therefore not surprising that its use has been that of an anti-inflammatory agent,immune system protector,antioxidant,tranquiliser,anxiety reducer and anti carcinogenic agent. Immunity-building has been the forte of Ashwagandha since ancient times. The root extract of this herb provides the white blood cells with an enhanced capacity to devour the pathogens.

nsingh.rxpress@expressindia.com