Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Ashwagandha, Poison Gooseberry, Winter Cherry, Withania

Family

Solanaceae

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Ashwagandha
Poison Gooseberry
Winter Cherry
Withania

Hebrew Name(s)

vitanya meshakeret

וִיתַנְיָה מְשַׁכֶּרֶת

Arabic Name(s)

samweh سموة

Life Form

Chamaephyte

Habitat

Nutrient-rich soils
ruderal

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Dermatological	Acne	Anti-Infective	1. Crush dried plant into fine powder & sprinkle on skin. 2. Mix dried plant + olive oil & apply.	Aerial parts	Z
Dermatological	Boils	Anti-Infective	Squeeze juice from leaves + Ruta leaves + Lawsonia juice & oil & spread on affected area.	Leaf	Z
Dermatological	Purulent lesions & wounds	Anti-Infective, Vulnerary	Grind leaves, prepare poultice & apply to lesion.	Leaf	Z
Dermatological	Skin antiseptic	Anti-septic	1. Crush dried plant into fine powder & sprinkle onto skin. 2. Mix dried plant powder + olive oil & spread on skin.	Aerial parts	Z
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain, to reduce swelling of abdomen, liver & spleen.	Analgesic, Anti-hydropic	Eat + Lactuca sp. (Preparation/ Plant Part further details not specified.)	Not specified	Z
General	Fever	Anti-pyretic	1.Decoct plant in water & drink as necessary. 2. Prepare compress/ fomentation (hot poultice) + rose oil & apply externally. (Plant Part not specified.)	Aerial parts	Z
General	Swelling	Anti-hydropic	1.Mix plant +salt & apply externally. (Preparation/Plant Part further details not specified) 2. Prepare compress/ fomentation (hot poultice) + rose oil & apply externally. (Plant Part not specified).	Not specified	Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract	Diuretic	Diuretic	1.Cook leaves in water & drink. 2.Prepare tea & drink. (Plant Part not specified.)	Leaf	Z
Mental health	Calmative	Anxiolytic, Sedative	Add drops of juice from leaves to glass of water & drink.	Fruit, Leaf	Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints	Rheumatic pain	Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	Mix with "nuqum" (? Solanum incanum) + o live oil & prepare salve or compress; apply externally. (Plant Part not specified.)	Not specified	Z
Nervous System	Headache	Analgesic	Prepare compress/ fomentation (hot poultice) + rose oil & apply externally. (Plant Part not specified.)	Not specified	Z
Nervous system	Sleep inducing	Hypnotic	1. Add drops of juice from leaves to glass of water & drink. 2. Prepare tea of green leaves & fruits & drink.	Fruit, Leaf	Z
Wound Healing	Burn	Vulnerary	Grind leaves, prepare poultice & apply to burn.	Leaf	Z

Notes

Z notes that at high concentration Withania can act as stimulant causing insanity. (See also CAUTIONS)

Cautions

Withania somnifera contains cytotoxic lactones, piperidine & other alkaloids in the root. Berries should not be eaten as can cause abdominal pain. Other side efects include diarrhea & vomiting. May potentiate the effect of barbiturates & decrease immunosuppressant drugs.

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.