Aśvagandhā
The renowned "strength of a stallion" root, ayurveda's classic warming rasāyana for tired nerves, scattered vāta and sleepless nights.
Herb · Root (and the whole plant in some preparations)
Energetics
Taste (rasa)
- Sweet (madhura)
- Bitter (tikta)
- Astringent (kaṣāya)
Properties (guṇa / vīrya)
- Heating (uṣṇa vīrya)
- Light (laghu)
- Oily (snigdha)
- Grounding (sthira)
Dosha effect
- Balances vāta
- Can aggravate pitta
- Balances kapha
Traditional indications
- Traditional rasāyana (rejuvenative) for strength and resilience
- Settles vāta patterns, restlessness, worry, light sleep
- Supportive in periods of fatigue and burnout (modern usage)
- Traditionally used as a vājīkaraṇa (strength and vitality) tonic
- Comfort for vāta-type joint stiffness
Indications record traditional ayurvedic usage for study, they are not medical claims and not a recommendation to treat yourself.
Contraindications & cautions
- Pregnancy, traditionally avoided
- Can aggravate pitta (heat, inflammation) in excess
- Hyperthyroidism, autoimmune or thyroid conditions; only with professional guidance
- Member of the nightshade family, sensitivity is possible
- Combines with sedatives, thyroid and immunosuppressant medication only under professional supervision
Herbs interact with medications, conditions and pregnancy; review anything here with a qualified practitioner before use.
Traditional preparation
The classic household form is churna (powder): ¼–½ tsp with a cup of warm milk and a pinch of nutmeg or a little jaggery at bedtime. As a decoction, simmer 1 tsp of the root in a cup of water for 5–10 minutes. Traditionally taken for a course of weeks, not forever.
In the tradition
The name says “smell of a horse” (aśva) and, tradition adds, the strength of one after a course of the root. It is the great warming counterpart to cooling brāhmī: where pitta minds race hot, vāta minds race cold and tired, and that is the soil aśvagandha was grown for.
Sources & further reading
- Bhāvaprakāśa Nighaṇṭu , Bhāvamiśra (aśvagandhā, bitter, heating, sleep-giving, vāta-kapha-reducing)
- Yoga of Herbs , David Frawley & Vasant Lad
Classical citations mark where a tradition is drawn on; modern references are further reading, never prescriptions.