The Harvesting Stage of Withania Sominifera (Ashwagandha)

Introduction

In the field of medicine, the use of the plants in the exploration of medicinal treatments became part of the entire system. Through the series of researches conducted by the experts, an important herb and indigenous plant is gathering the interests of the medicinal experts.

Background of the Study and Problem Statement

Withania Sominifera or Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, or winter cherry has historically bee used as an aphrodisiac, liver tonic, anti-inflammatory agent, and astringent. In the recent clinical studies, the medicinal herb proved its importance for it has been used as a treatment for bronchitis, asthma, ulcers, emaciation, insomnia, and senile dementia. Aside from this provided information about the herb, it is also found that the herb is also used for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders, inflammation, and Parkinson’s disease (Johnston, 2004). However, on what harvesting stage can the properties of Withania Sominifera be more effective?

Research Objectives

The objectives of the study are mainly focused on the taming or yielding of the Withania Sominifera. The first objective is to determine the harvesting stage of the herb and second is to explore the other benefits that the herb might bring in the issue of health and wellness of people.

Research Questions

The study recognized the importance of the Withania Sominifera in the objectives of the medical society to deliver the different kind of treatment for various diseases. Therefore, the study prepared several questions that play vital role in aiming its own objectives.

1. What is the common description of the Withania Sominifera and where it is typically be found?

2. What are the properties of the herb that makes it special for the clinical experts?

3. What are the other medical effects of the herb when applied to human needs?

Literature Review

Withania Sominifera is described as a small, woody shrub in the Solanaceae family that usually grows about two feet high and can be found in Africa, Mediterranean, and India. Withania Sominifera has chemo preventive properties make it a potentially useful adjunct for patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. It is also used therapeutically as an adaptogen for patients with nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and debility due to stress, and as an immune stimulant in patients with low white blood cell counts. Several studies reveals that Withania Sominifera to be a potential antimicrobial agent with antifungal activity (Johnston, 2004). Based on the recent clinical studies, the Withania Sominifera possesses antioxidant, antitumor, anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hemapoetic and rejuvenating or anti-aging properties and also influences various neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system. The anxiolytic and anti-depressive effects of this medicinal plant and the potential to stop cancer cell growth. With the use of Withania Sominifera and its extracts, it is more effective in the inhibition than the common cancer chemotherapy drug. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of Withania Sominifera root extracts are likely to contribute to the chemo preventive action ( Oberholzer, et al., 2008).

Methodology

The applied method of the study is the use of the secondary information and other case studies that delivers different information on the discovery of Withania Sominifera. The secondary information allows the study to create its own analysis and conclusion about the medicinal herb. In addition, in the exploration of the study and gaining essential ideas from the gathered information, the other medical treatments and medications can be revealed through the appropriate harvesting age or stage of the herb.

Conclusion

The medicinal herb already proved its worth in the eyes of the experts and in the health of the people. The benefits can be only gained if the appropriate time to harvest is followed and avoiding the berries even though they look tasty and mouth watering. There still a continuous exploration on the other benefits that the herb might bring to the people. This only indicates that nature did not abandon the people; it is the people who abandoned the nature and abusing its power.

References:

Johnston, J., 2004. Withania Somnifera. Alternative Medicine Review, Vol. 9, No. 2 [Online] Available at: http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/9/2/211.pdf [Accessed 17 Feb 2010].

Oberholzer, H., Pretorius, E., Smit, E., Ekpo, O., Humpries, P., Auer, R, & Bester, M., 2008. Investigating the effect of Withania Sominifera , Selenium, Hydrocortisone on Blood Count and Bronchial Lavage of Experimental Asthmatic BALB/c Mice. Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science, Vol. 35, No. 4 [Online] Available at: http://biomedicum.ut.ee/sjlas/35_4_239-248.pdf [Accessed 17 Feb 2010].