Monograph: Ashwagandha

Date: 2019-02-25

NHPID name

Withania somnifera ( Germplasm Resources Information Network Taxonomy )

Proper name(s)

Withania somnifera ( USDA 2008 )

Common name(s)

• Asgandh ( API 2001 )
• Ashwagandha ( API 2001 )
• Asvagandha ( API 2001 )
• Winter cherry ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Withania ( Unavailable )

Source material

Root ( API 2001 )

Route Of administration

Oral ( API 2001 )

Dosage form(s)

Those suited to the allowable route(s) of administration.

Use(s) or purpose(s)

Statement(s) to the effect of:

• Traditionally used in Ayurveda to relieve general debility, especially during convalescence or old age.  (Sukh Dev 2005, API 2001, Upton 1999)
• Used in Herbal Medicine as an adaptogen to help increase energy and resistance to stress (e.g. in case of mental and physical fatigue related to stress).
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda as Rasayana (rejuvenative tonic).  (API 2001, Kapoor 2001)
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda for memory enhancement.  (Khare 2004, Upton 2000)
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a sleep aid.  (Kapoor 2001, Khory and Katrak 1999[1903], Nadkarni and Nadkarni 1954)
• Traditionally used in Ayurveda to balance aggravated Vata.  (Upton 2000, Nadkarni and Nadkarni 1954)

Dose(s)

Adults:

Duration of use

No statement is required

Risk information

Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and Warning(s):

• Avoid taking with alcohol or products that cause drowsiness.  (Berardi et al. 2002, Gennaro 2000, McGuffin et al. 1997)
• Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician if sleeplessness persists for more than 4 weeks.

Contraindication(s): Consult a healthcare practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/ physician prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  (Upton 2000, McGuffin et al. 1997) Known Adverse Reaction(s): Some people may experience drowsiness. Exercise caution if operating heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle or involved in activities requiring mental alertness.

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural health products ingredients database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the NHPD Quality of natural health products guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the Natural health products ingredient database (NHPID).

References cited

• API 2001: The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, 1st edition, Part I, Volume I. Delhi (IN): Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy.
• Berardi RR, DeSimone EM, Newton GD, Oszko MA, Popovich NG, Rollins CJ, Shimp LA, Tietze KJ, editors. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care, 13th edition. Washington (DC): American Pharmaceutical Association; 2002.
• Gennaro AR, editor. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th edition. Washington (DC): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000
• Kapoor LD. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants: Herbal Reference Library. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2001
• Khare CP. Indian Herbal Remedies: Rational Western Therapy, Ayurvedic and Other Traditional Usage, Botany. New York (NY): Springer; 2004
• Khory RN, Katrak NN.1999 [1903]. Materia Medica of India and Their Therapeutics. Delhi (IN): Komal Prakashan; [Reprint of 1903 publication].
• McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, editors. 1997. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press.
• McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. 2000. Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition. Austin(TX): American Herbal Products Association.
• Nadkarni AK, Nadkarni KM. India Materia Medica with Ayruvedic, Unani-Tibbi, Siddha, Allopathic, Homeopathic, Naturopathic & Home Remedies, Volume 1, 3rd edition. Bombay (India): Popular Book Depot; 1954
• Sukh Dev. Prime Ayurvedic Plant Drugs. Tunbridge Wells (UK): Anshan; 2005
• Upton R, editor. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium: Ashwagandha Root (Withania somnifera) - Standards of Analysis, Quality Control, and Therapeutics. Santa Cruz (CA): American Herbal Pharmacopoeia; 2000
• USDA 2008: ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2008-01-21]. Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl
• Williamson EM, editor. 2002. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. London (UK): Churchill Livingstone.