Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
Solanaceae
- Ashwagandha
- Poison Gooseberry
- Winter Cherry
- Withania
- samweh سموة
- וִיתַנְיָה מְשַׁכֶּרֶת
- vitanya meshakeret
Chamaephyte
- Nutrient-rich soils
- ruderal
Click to view:
distribution and other botanical details.
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. |
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. |
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. |
Aerial parts | Z |
General | Swelling |
Anti-hydropic | 1.Mix plant +salt & apply externally. (Preparation/Plant Part further details not specified) |
Not specified | Z |
Kidney & Urinary Tract | Diuretic |
Diuretic | 1.Cook leaves in water & drink. |
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. |
Fruit, Leaf | Z |
Wound Healing | Burn |
Vulnerary | Grind leaves, prepare poultice & apply to burn. |
Leaf | Z |
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.
Z notes that at high concentration Withania can act as stimulant causing insanity. (See also 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.