27 April 2016

W is for Withania

Welcome! 
I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Most of the herbs written in this series are those I have seen or used. Today's herb is of immense medicinal importance in Ayurveda, so much so that India Posts has issued a stamp in its honour! 
Image courtesy Department of Posts 
W is for Withania somnifera commonly called Aswagandha or Winter Cherry. It belongs to the Solanaceae family (Brinjal or Egg Plant also belongs to this family). Unlike most herbs that I have described so far, this plant can grow up to six feet tall and has hairy plant parts. The fruits are striking with as they are covered with the papery calyx. It is said that the berries can be used in making cheese to substitute rennet. Here is an image of the plant with fruit that I have seen at the Udan Biodiversity Park but my friends have seen it growing wild around the city as well. 
Ashwagandha, AtoZ blogging, Withania

Here is a study about the medicinal effects of Ashwagandha. Worth reading this but at your leisure...
We are almost at the end of our journey and I am sure its been a wonderful month!
Take care folks!
:)

14 comments:

  1. RajlakshmiApril 27, 2016 at 3:36 AM

    I think i too have seen it growing in wild. Didn't know it's called ashwagandha.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My EraApril 27, 2016 at 6:43 AM

    Ashwagandha is a very useful, loaded with medicinal values plant and it is amazing how it can grow really tall.
    What an amazing ride A to Z challenge gas been, though the tough part is here and now :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. ArchanaApril 27, 2016 at 3:41 PM

    Now you know!:) Cheers Rajlakshmi!

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  4. ArchanaApril 27, 2016 at 3:42 PM

    @My Era - Indeed! Thanks for your regular visits to my blog. Its really encouraged me... :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kala RaviApril 27, 2016 at 9:00 PM

    Wow, that is so cool a stamp for Ashwagandha! It has indeed been a great journey hasn't it? Loved your informative posts. All the best for the last three!
    @KalaRavi16 from
    Relax-N-Rave

    ReplyDelete
  6. DeniseApril 27, 2016 at 10:22 PM

    You have shown me a wealth of plants I had never heard of before the challenge. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ArchanaApril 28, 2016 at 5:45 AM

      Thank you Denise. I am so happy you have stopped by regularly! :)

      Delete
  7. SeenaApril 28, 2016 at 4:03 PM

    Good post. I like that it has a stamp too!!
    Seena
    #AtoZChallenge - W is for Wisdom

    ReplyDelete
  8. ArchanaApril 28, 2016 at 9:26 PM

    I guess the stamp recognises the importance of the plant. Thanks Seena! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Penelope Potty SnooperApril 29, 2016 at 11:22 AM

    My mother in law uses this herb in her Ayurvedic medicines but I had no idea it looked like this....

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  10. ArchanaMay 2, 2016 at 1:15 PM

    @bellybytes - now you know!! Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hannelore Adler (SteampunkCowCorn)May 7, 2022 at 5:55 AM

    To make cheese! it has so many uses, I´m amazed! :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. ArchanaMay 7, 2022 at 9:31 AM

    @Absenta hehe.. I am amazed too! Thanks for reading this 'old' post as well!! ;-) :-)

    ReplyDelete

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