Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

Botanical name: Withania somnifera

Common names: Ashwagandha, Indian Ginseng

Family: Solanaceae

Origin: India and China

Withania somnifera is a special herb in Ayurvedic medicine. The species name somnifera means "sleep-inducing" in Latin. Withania somnifera is cultivated in many of the drier regions of India, such as Mandsaur District of Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. It is also found in Nepal, China and Yemen. The main chemical constituents are alkaloids and steroidal lactones. The long brown, tuberous roots are used in traditional medicine.