Dravyaguna Reference
Plant Profile
A botanical and classical Ayurvedic reference.
Herbal foliage in natural light
Medhya Rasayana
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
Ashwagandha is one of Ayurveda’s most valued rejuvenative herbs, traditionally used to restore strength, support resilience, and nourish the body and mind.
Botanical identity
Classification
- Scientific name
- Withania somnifera
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Sanskrit name
- Ashwagandha
- Hindi name
- Asgandh
- Part used
- Root; leaves are also used in selected preparations
Ayurvedic energetics
Rasa Panchaka
Rasa
Kashaya (astringent), Tikta (bitter), Madhura (sweet)
Guna
Guru (heavy), Snigdha (unctuous)
Virya
Ushna (heating)
Vipaka
Madhura (sweet)
Prabhava
Balya and Rasayana — strength-promoting and rejuvenative
Traditional Indications
Traditionally considered balancing for Vata and supportive in conditions of depletion and fatigue.
- General debility and convalescence
- Vata imbalance and nervous exhaustion
- Support for sleep and mental calm
- Strength, vitality, and reproductive wellness
Classical Reference
अश्वगन्धा बल्या वृष्या रसायनी च स्मृता।
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu · Guduchyadi Varga
Classical Ayurvedic texts describe Ashwagandha as balya (strengthening), vrishya (supportive of vitality), and rasayana (rejuvenative).