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Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera]

Ashwagandha is one of the most revered herbs of the Indian Ayurvedic medicine system. In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is used as Rasayana (tonic), a plant preparation that promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health and encourages happiness.

These same effects can be described as adaptogenic, or a herb that helps the body and mind regulate stress, adapt and promote balance in many systems of the body.

In Sanskrit, the word "ashwa" means "horse," while "gandha" means "smell." Some translate Ashwagandha roughly to "horse essence" and believe that Ashwagandha provides a horse's strength, character, essence, or stamina.

This herb can be taken for resilience to stress, nervous and endocrine system support, and cardiovascular and immune health. File:Flowering ashwagandha plant.tiffFlowering ashwagandha plant

Ashwagandha root.jpgAshwagandha root from Furnace Creek Farm