Ayurvedic Herb

Ashwagandha (has a safety note)

SanskritAshwagandhaBotanicalWithania somniferaAlso calledIndian ginseng, Winter cherry

A warming, grounding root that Ayurveda has long reached for in seasons of stress, poor sleep and depletion.

* Safety note: Rare liver injury reports and thyroid effects; read the cautions before use. Read the cautions

Ashwagandha, root

Ashwagandha is one of the best known rasayanas, the rejuvenating herbs of Ayurveda. The name means something like "smell of a horse," a nod both to the earthy scent of the fresh root and to the steady strength the herb is said to build.

In our Rockville Centre studio it is the herb people ask about most in the fall and winter, when vata season leaves many of us wired, tired and a little ungrounded.

Ayurvedic Properties

RasaTastes
  • Bitter
  • Astringent
  • Sweet
ViryaHeating or cooling
Heating
VipakaPost-digestive effect
Sweet
AgniEffect on digestion
Neutral for agni

Heavy and nourishing, it sits best taken warm, in milk with a little spice.

GunaQualities
  • Light
  • Oily
TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
  • Vata: decreases
  • Pitta: increases in excess
  • Kapha: decreases
  • decreases (calms that dosha)
  • increases (can aggravate it)
  • neutral or balancing
  • not known
  • V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha

Ashwagandha is a classic choice for vata. Its warmth makes it less ideal for people who already run hot, so pitta types often take it with cooling partners like shatavari or in milk.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used to support a calm, steady nervous system during stressful seasons.
  • Traditionally used to support restful sleep when taken in warm milk in the evening.
  • Traditionally used to support strength, stamina and recovery as a rasayana.
  • Traditionally used to support healthy reproductive vitality in men and women.

How People Use It

  • MilkThe classic way. The powder is whisked into warm milk with a little ghee and spice, usually in the evening.
  • GheeStirred into a spoonful of warm ghee and honey to make a simple paste, a traditional way to carry the herb deeper into the tissues.
  • TeaThe cut root can be simmered in water for 10 to 15 minutes. It is earthy and slightly bitter, so most people add cardamom or cinnamon.
  • PowderSmall amounts blend easily into oatmeal, date balls or a nighttime latte.
Try This

Ashwagandha Moon Milk

A soft, warming cup for the end of the day.

  • 1 cup whole milk or oat milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ashwagandha powder
  • 1 pinch ground cardamom
  • 1 small pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ghee (optional)
  • Honey or maple syrup to taste
  1. Warm the milk in a small pot over low heat until it just steams.
  2. Whisk in the ashwagandha, cardamom, nutmeg and ghee. Keep it on low heat for two or three minutes.
  3. Pour into a mug and let it cool a little before stirring in honey. Ayurveda traditionally avoids cooking honey.
  4. Sip slowly, away from screens, about an hour before bed.

Pairs Well With

Cautions

  • Avoid during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
  • Rare cases of liver injury have been reported with ashwagandha supplements. Stop and talk with your doctor if you notice yellowing skin, dark urine or unusual fatigue.
  • It may affect thyroid hormone levels and may interact with thyroid, blood sugar, blood pressure, sedative, anti-seizure and immune-suppressing medications.
  • Not recommended if you have an autoimmune or thyroid condition, or before surgery, unless your doctor approves.
  • Ashwagandha is in the nightshade family, so skip it if you are sensitive to nightshades.
  • Please consult a qualified practitioner before using it regularly, especially if you take any medication.

In Our Shop

Organic Ashwagandha Root

Organic Ashwagandha Root, from $5.75. Weighed and packed by hand at our Rockville Centre studio.

Shop Ashwagandha →

From the Journal

Sources and Further Reading

This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.