What Is Ashwagandha? Discover the health benefits of the "Queen of Ayurveda"

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng, winter cherry or sleep berry, is a ‘child with many names’. Originally from Africa and Asia, the ‘queen of Ayurveda’ spread from these regions to other countries and can now also be found in southern Europe, on the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. The plant loves sandy to gravelly soils and, given good conditions, can grow to a height of 160 cm. Externally, the herbaceous nightshade plant is characterised by ovate to elongated leaves that are mint-green to olive-green in colour. The undersides of the leaves are covered with fine hairs. During its flowering period between July and September, the plant produces relatively inconspicuous bell-shaped flowers, which develop into strikingly bright red berry fruits.

Anyone who associates the word ashwagandha and the epithet ‘queen of Ayurveda’ with fairytale images from Indian genres will be somewhat surprised by the original meaning. In ancient Indian Sanskrit, ashwagandha means ‘the smell of a horse’ – a name that the plant probably owes to its characteristic scent. Some Ayurvedic experts also see this as an indication that the plant ‘can awaken the stallion in us’. But that is not the only health benefit that ashwagandha has to offer.

In Ayurveda, ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years to support vitality and well-being, strengthen vitality and maintain mental health. As a plant-based adaptogen, it promotes our ability to adapt, strengthens our resistance to stress and helps those suffering from stress to find inner peace. Human studies have now also confirmed that ashwagandha delivers what it promises.

Sleep disorders are a widespread phenomenon in our modern times. But, as is so often the case in life, there are traditional answers to modern questions. The German name ‘Schlafbeere’ (sleep berry) and the Latin species name ‘somnifera’ (sleep-inducing) suggest that ashwagandha helps you to sleep. The plant's calming effect is probably due to its influence on the GABA system.

Times have changed and a strong immune system is more in the spotlight. Ashwagandha supports our body's own defences; this was the conclusion of a recent randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in which 30 days' supplementation with 60 mg ashwagandha extract improved the immune profile of healthy adults.

The Withania somnifera plant promises not only support for hormone fluctuations and during menopause, but is also said to boost libido. Read on to find out what women should bear in mind when taking it and what other amazing effects the Ayurvedic root can have.

Does ashwagandha really cause unwanted weight gain, or is it just a stubborn rumour? The following article explains how this popular adaptogen affects the metabolism and why it can even have the opposite effect on many people. An insightful look at how ashwagandha can contribute to general well-being by reducing stress, improving metabolic balance and supporting healthy muscle growth.

Although Ashwagandha is known in German as “winter cherry” or “sleep berry,” it is not the fruits that are used for health purposes. While these fruits look tempting and resemble physalis, they are inedible due to their high alkaloid content.

Instead, Ashwagandha enthusiasts in the West focus on the plant’s root, which grows underground. This thick, whitish to brownish root contains an interesting mixture of secondary plant compounds (e.g. withanolides).

In Ayurveda, however, the entire plant is used in order to benefit from the full spectrum of active compounds. The valuable withanolides responsible for Ashwagandha’s balancing (i.e. adaptogenic) properties are found throughout the whole plant.

Modern science is particularly interested in the natural withanolides withanolide A, withaferin A, and withanolide D. In addition, the plant provides other secondary compounds such as saponins, tannins, and flavonoids, as well as a rich supply of iron.

Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before taking ashwagandha root. People taking thyroid medication or tranquillisers should also consult their doctor before taking it.

In order for ashwagandha to have the desired effect, the right timing is important. To enjoy the stress-relieving effect of the sleep berry, ashwagandha should ideally be taken before a meal. If you find it difficult to fall asleep at night and want to use ashwagandha as a kind of ‘sleep aid’, you should consume the sleep berry before going to bed.

All good things take time. Like many natural substances, ashwagandha takes a few days to a few weeks to have a noticeable effect.

When it comes to dosage, it is best to follow the recommendation of trusted manufacturers or an expert. The recommended amounts are usually between 400 mg and 600 mg of ashwagandha daily.

The effect of ashwagandha unfolds individually and in different phases: While some people feel a relaxing effect after the first dose, the full health benefits usually only become apparent after regular use over several weeks to months. The duration of the effect depends on factors such as dosage and individual physical condition. Many people notice the first positive effects, such as improved sleep, reduced stress or increased concentration, after about 4-8 weeks of regular use. For optimal results, it is recommended to take it consistently at the same time of day, with the effects usually lasting from several hours to a full day.

If you are looking for premium-quality ashwagandha, BIOGENA is the right choice. BIOGENA Ashwagandha Fusion Complete not only contains high-quality Withania somnifera extract from the root, but also the extract from the entire plant, thus achieving a high withanolide content of 35 mg in total. This makes it easy to gain a little breathing space and rediscover your inner balance through nutrition.

BIOGENA Ashwagandha Triple Superior Gold goes one step further – the luxury formula for relaxed breathing in stressful times. In this innovative triple blend, the two quality features of a high withanolide concentration and a whole plant extract have been maximised by combining three premium ingredients: the patented branded raw material KSM-66®, a withanolide-rich root extract and a genuine whole plant extract. This smart fusion achieves the highest dosage on the market with 40 mg withanolides per capsule. In addition, the whole-plant extract provides the full spectrum of active ingredients from the entire plant. According to the latest research, the properties of the ashwagandha plant known from Ayurveda are based on the synergistic interaction of the different withanolides, which are found not only in the root but throughout the entire plant.