Withania somnifera plant Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/plant/Withania-somnifera Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/plant/Withania-somnifera Also known as: Indian ginseng, ashwagandha, winter cherry Written by Frannie Comstock Frannie Comstock is a writer based in Chicago. Frannie Comstock Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Nov 11, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Also called: winter cherry or Indian ginseng (Show more) Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is Withania somnifera commonly known as? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Withania somnifera is commonly known as winter cherry or Indian ginseng. In Ayurvedic medicine and as a botanical dietary supplement, it is known as ashwagandha." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Where is Withania somnifera native to? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Withania somnifera is native to India, North Africa, and the Middle East. It can be grown in other parts of the world." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the main bioactive compounds found in Withania somnifera? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The main bioactive compounds found in Withania somnifera are alkaloids, saponins, and steroids known as withanolides. Other substances isolated from the plant include amino acids, flavonoids, glucose, glycosides, and tannins." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are some uses of ashwagandha in traditional medicine? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Ashwagandha is used in traditional medicine for anxiety, depression, diabetes, fatigue, inflammation, insomnia, male infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, and stress." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are some potential side effects of ashwagandha? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Potential side effects of ashwagandha include liver injury and sedation. It may also be harmful for men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, because of potential effects on levels of sex hormones." } } ] } Top Questions What is Withania somnifera commonly known as? Withania somnifera is commonly known as winter cherry or Indian ginseng. In Ayurvedic medicine and as a botanical dietary supplement, it is known as ashwagandha.

　　Where is Withania somnifera native to? Withania somnifera is native to India, North Africa, and the Middle East. It can be grown in other parts of the world.

　　What are the main bioactive compounds found in Withania somnifera? The main bioactive compounds found in Withania somnifera are alkaloids, saponins, and steroids known as withanolides. Other substances isolated from the plant include amino acids, flavonoids, glucose, glycosides, and tannins.

　　What are some uses of ashwagandha in traditional medicine? Ashwagandha is used in traditional medicine for anxiety, depression, diabetes, fatigue, inflammation, insomnia, male infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, and stress.

　　What are some potential side effects of ashwagandha? Potential side effects of ashwagandha include liver injury and sedation. It may also be harmful for men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, because of potential effects on levels of sex hormones.

　　Withania somnifera, evergreen shrub in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), native to India, North Africa, and the Middle East, that is used in traditional systems of medicine, particularly Ayurvedic medicine in India, where it is known as ashwagandha. A Sanskrit term, ashwagandha translates to “smell of the horse,” in reference to the odor of its leaves. Withania somnifera is also cultivated in other parts of the world and is popular as a dietary supplement. However, scientific evidence supporting claims about its health benefits is lacking. W. somnifera is a branching shrub that favors dry sunny climates, being hardy and drought-tolerant. It ...(100 of 706 words)

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