World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

WITHANIA SOMNIFERA - THE ANTI STRESS HERB – A REVIEW

Dr. Khatotra Sukhdev* and Dr. Singh Bhopinder

ABSTRACT

According to various surveys, the stress is the major problem for many diseases ranging from psychiatric disorders to endocrine disorders including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, male sexual dysfunction, peptic ulcer, hypertension, ulcerative colitis etc. Today’s life style was very frustrated due to busy schedule of even school going child up to old aged people. That’s why medicine related to stress and psychosis has a huge market in the world. As modern medicine can provide some benefits & results but they are mixed and unsatisfactory. So the answer is hidden in Ayurveda i.e. Rasayana (Rejuvenation therapy). It is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda. Rasayana drugs are claimed to contribute in revitalising the tissues and even the psyche thereby maintaining the health of the human being. These are stated to possess rejuvenation power which enhance the Ojas of the body i.e. vitality.[1] It is similar to the modern concept of adaptogenic agents which gives the protection to the human physiological system against diverse stressor. Recent studies shows that the Ayurvedic herbs having adaptogens which could induce a state of non-specific increase of resistance to affect internal homeostasis. The adaptogens improve the response to stress and help the body to adapt by normalizing physiological processes in times of increased stress. Ashwagandha is one of the best medicinal herbs for that purpose & is compared well with Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng), Panax Ginseng (Chinese/ Korean Ginseng) in its adaptogenic & antistress activity, hence popularly known as Indian ginseng. That’s why we take a review of antistress activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).

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