Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng): characteristics and uses of this plant

Ashwagandha, also called bufera or Indian ginseng, is a popular medicinal plant. Is it effective?

There are many plants that have traditionally been used in order to combat a medical condition. Among this wide range of components present in nature we find ashwagandha, also known as blackberry herb, Indian ginseng or balsam..

In this article we will review which are the properties and medicinal benefits that this plant has to treat a myriad of health conditions, many of them related to mental disorders.

What is ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is a plant that according to traditional medicine (and therefore not subject to the scientific method) has a large number of uses, depending on the case. It belongs to the family of Solanaceaeand is native to India. It has become very popular in several countries to treat ailments, although there is no firm support for its healing properties. However, there is some evidence that it helps to combat stress.

In the tradition of Ayurveda (science of life), India's own medical system, which has been practiced for many years, this plant is used to make a revitalizing tonic. used to elaborate a revitalizing tonicIt is therefore used for basically any ailment.

This plant has managed to transcend its frontiers and is now used in many countries as an alternative used in many countries as an alternative to treat the physical or even emotional ailments that may be afflicting the that may be afflicting people.

Properties of Indian ginseng

In the following lines we will review the medicinal properties that are attributable to the bufera.

1. Alkaloids

Thanks to the alkaloids this plant contains analgesic and sedative components. It has a total of 12 types of alkaloids, of which the most relevant are: somniferous, anaferin, and pseudotropine.

2. Steroidal lactones

This plant has Anti-Inflammatory functions, thanks to the more than 30 withanolides found in it; witaferin A and withanolide D are two of the most important pharmacological ones.. These have an effect on the human organism as if they were steroidal hormones.

3. Triethylene glycol

The effectiveness of this component in improving sleep quality is well supported, since there are tests where it manages to improve the symptoms of insomnia in mice. It is a component that is also used in chemistry as a solvent.

4. Flavonoids

Flavonoids have antioxidant capacities that help the body to prevent the oxidation of its molecules, thanks to this component slows down the chemical reaction process in which the organism transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent.

5. Mineral salts

The mineral salts that are most present in this medicinal plant are iron and potassiumThey help to maintain bone health and provide the body with an important energy charge during the day.

In what cases is this plant used?

Blackberry herb is known for its healing properties, but not for the fact that it contains the elements listed above, whose discovery is relatively recent. Thus, it is popularly assumed that ashwagandha has revitalizing properties, besides functioning as an analgesic, relaxing on the Central Nervous System (CNS), and anticonvulsant, among others.

These are conditions for which this medicinal plant is popularly used, regardless of its actual efficacy in treating themregardless of its actual efficacy in treating them:

• Arthritis
• Anxiety
• Balance problems
• Sleeping difficulties (Insomnia)
• Asthma
• Leucoderma (skin condition)
• Bronchitis
• Back pain
• Menstrual problems
• Parkinson's disease

Ashwagandha is also used to control high levels of fat and sugar in the blood.

Some people consume this plant on a daily basis, in order to calm the stress levels generated by the daily routine.. Others do it to improve their memory capacity, among other cognitive functions such as analytical capacity. However, there is no evidence that it works for anything other than stress regulation.

Is its use effective?

The authority for determining the efficacy of natural medicines; "Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database", gives ashwagandha a high efficacy in the treatment of stress.

But as for the other conditions for which it is usually used there is no support that can validate its implementation.In the treatments referred to the cases that we will see below:

• Decrease side effects of antipsychotics.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Bipolar disorder
• Fatigue in people being treated for cancer (chemotherapy).
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Male infertility
• Arthritis
• Parkinson's disease
• Impaired immune system function
• Fibromyalgia
• Induce vomiting
• Liver problems
• Prevent signs of aging
• Swelling (inflammation)
• Tumors
• Tuberculosis
• Ulcerations.

The Comprehensive Natural Medicines Database needs more evidence to give a positive opinion. needs more evidence to give a positive opinion on the use of ashwagandha on the use of ashwagandha in the treatment of the previously mentioned cases.