Category Archives: Withania (Withania somnifera)

Withanolides: Health Effects

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Withanolides are a group of C28 steroidal chemicals first found in the herb Withania somnifera and later in other plants. In Withania somnifera, the main withanolides that are active in humans and animals biologically are withanolide A and withanolide D. … Continue reading →

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Withania somnifera: Phytochemistry

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Withania somnifera is a plant that is also called ashwagandha. This herb is used in traditional medicine to treat a number of health complaints, and the health benefits it confers is as a direct result of the phytochemicals it contains. … Continue reading →

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Ashwagandha, shatavari, and ginger root powder: Nutrition

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) are important medicinal herbs. The medicinal properties of these herbs relates to their nutritional composition, and particularly their antioxidant content. However, this varies significantly between plants. For example, shatavari contains … Continue reading →

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Ashwagandha: An Overview

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Robert Barrington

Ashwagandha is also called withania on account of the Latin name of the plant being Withania somnifera. Ashwagandha has a number of well evidenced health effects that supports its traditional use as a general health tonic. One of the main … Continue reading →

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Ginseng: Still King of the Adaptogens?

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Robert Barrington

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) has a long use in traditional medicine as an adaptogenic herb. The properties of ginseng allow it to improve the recovery of individuals as it is thought to modulate the release of stress hormones. Evidence supports ginseng … Continue reading →

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Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) as an Anti-inflammatory

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Robert Barrington

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is sometimes referred to as Indian ginseng. This relates to the evidence that suggests ashwagandha is an adaptogen, thereby having similar properties to ginseng. Ashwagandha has a number of medicinal uses and some of these relate to … Continue reading →

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Withania somnifera Against Anxiet

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Withania somnifera is a herb used in traditional Indian medicine. The herb is also called ashwagandha. Withania somnifera has been investigated for its anxiolytic effects in animals. For example, in one study Withania somnifera was given as part of a … Continue reading →

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Ashwagandha as an Anti-Stress Herb

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Evidence suggests that ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb. It therefore has properties that prevent deviations from homeostasis in animals and humans. One area that it may help maintain homeostatic control is with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This axis is … Continue reading →

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Adaptogenic Herbs: Differences in Mechanisms of Action

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Adaptogenic herbs are plants that resist detrimental changes to physiological systems and have a normalising effect on these systems. There are a number of adaptogenic herbs that have been identified and these may have different mechanisms of action. For example, … Continue reading →

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Withania: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a form of anxiety characterised by obsessive and repetitive behaviour that often centres around trivial activities that disrupt the person’s normal daily schedule. The cause of obsessive compulsive disorder is not fully understood, but it is … Continue reading →

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