Monograph: Ashwagandha
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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:
Dose(s):
2 - 6 Grams per day, dried root
Duration of use
No statement is requiredRisk 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.
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
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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.
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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.
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Gennaro AR, editor. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th edition. Washington (DC): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000
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Kapoor LD. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants: Herbal Reference Library. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2001
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Khare CP. Indian Herbal Remedies: Rational Western Therapy, Ayurvedic and Other Traditional Usage, Botany. New York (NY): Springer; 2004
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Khory RN, Katrak NN.1999 [1903]. Materia Medica of India and Their Therapeutics. Delhi (IN): Komal Prakashan; [Reprint of 1903 publication].
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McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, editors. 1997. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press.
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McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. 2000. Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition. Austin(TX): American Herbal Products Association.
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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
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Sukh Dev. Prime Ayurvedic Plant Drugs. Tunbridge Wells (UK): Anshan; 2005
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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
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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
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Williamson EM, editor. 2002. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. London (UK): Churchill Livingstone.