Bilva (Aegle Marmelos)

Action on Human Body-Anti-Carcinogenic

Proved By: – National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan

Regular consumption of Ashwagandha can result in various health benefits. A research study has termed Ashwagandha as an emerging and novel alternative in the field of oncology because of its cancer killing properties, in association with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. It is also of interest because it is known to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy without interfering with the tumor cell-killing activity.

Action on Human Body-Parkinson’s Disease

Proved By: – India’s Central Food Technological Research Institute

We have provided evidence that WS –enrichment among flies has the ability to diminish the levels of endogenous oxidative markers. Further, WS could markedly mitigate ROT- induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and neurotoxicity in the Drosophila system. Based on marked the attenuation of locomotor phenotype and enhanced survival of flies with WS-enrichment, and also our previous findings in the mice model, we propose that WS may be a useful therapeutic adjuvant under conditions of oxidative stress -mediated neurodegenerative conditions such as PD

Action on Human Body– stress, sexual disorders, anxiety and depression

Scientific research on the plant indicates that it has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidizing, anti-stress, sleep-inducing and drug withdrawal properties. Many formulations that are made from Ashwagandha improve the musculo-skeletal problems such as arthritis and rheumatism. It also acts as a tonic that boosts energy, and improves overall health and longevity.

Habitat

It is generally grown in fields characterized by slightly basic soils that have good drainage. Light red soils are suitable for this herb. The herb grows best in areas receiving about 500-750mm rainfall and at altitudes ranging from 600 to 1200 meters above sea level. The optimal temperature range is 20-32 degrees C. Due to the hardiness of the plant, Ashwagandha has historically been grown in areas that are not well irrigated and therefore not suitable for food crops.

Morphology Description (Habit)

Withania is a small or medium undershrub, 30-150cm height, erect, grayish, branching perennial, with strong disagreeable odour like horse’s urine. Withania somnifera is a small shrub of 1m to 2m height across. Almost the complete plant is covered and surrounded with very short, small, fine, branched hairs and silver-grey in colour. The stems of Withania are brownish dark colour and erect, sometimes leaves are absent or less on lower part of stem.

Principal Constituents

The main constituents of ashwagandha are alkaloids and steroidal lactones. Among the various alkaloids, withanine is the main constituent. The other alkaloids are somniferine, somnine, somniferinine, withananine, pseudo-withanine, tropine, pseudo-tropine, 3-a-gloyloxytropane, choline, cuscohygrine, isopelletierine, anaferine and anahydrine. Two acyl steryl glucoside viz. sitoindoside VII and sitoindoside VIII have been isolated from root. The leaves contain steroidal lactones, which are commonly called withanolides. The withanolides have C28 steroidal nucleus with C9 side chain, having six membered lactone

Indications

This short and stout plant has a variety of benefits, the most widely recognized benefit of ashwagandha is its ability to boost the immune system. In fact, several studies have reportedly shown it to greatly boost the immune system, increasing white blood cell production, helping to ward off illness and disease. It’s these benefits that make it a go-to choice in Indian herbal medicine for people in recovery who are looking to rebuild their internal system after illness

*Note: Reference from different internet websites.