Withania somnifera has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda and still holds an important place in herbal formulations today. In many Asian countries, all parts of the plant are utilized, and the tender leaves are eaten as a gentle nourishing herb.
Ashwagandha is native to India where it grows in the wild but is cultivated throughout the country for larger production needs. Ashwagandha translates to 'smelling like a horse' which most likely refers to the scent of the fresh root. A member of the nightshade family, ashwagandha is also known by the name Indian ginseng and winter cherry. The plant is a perennial, low-growing shrub with elliptic leaves and small, bell-shaped flowers that ripen into an orange-red fruit.
