Ashwagandha for mental health | Withania Somnifera new research

Ashwagandha also known as Withania somnifera or Winter Cherry is considered a very useful herb in promoting mental calm and relief from mental and physical exhaustion. Ashwagandha is also said to help improve memory functions in the brain.

New research published in the Jan 2014 edition of the Pharmacognosy Research journal indicates that Ashwagandha may also be helpful in improving cognitive and psychomotor abilities. A double blind, placebo controlled study was conducted on 20 healthy adult males. They were given 2 capsules twice daily of 250mg of Ashwagandha root and leaves extract for 14 days. There were marked improvements in reaction times in tests of simple reaction, choice discrimination, digit symbol substitution, digit vigilance, and card sorting tests.

The results showed that cognitive and psychomotor capabilities were definitely improved and this proves promising for further research in treating impaired cognition. More information on Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha anticancer antiaging properties

Ashwagandha a.k.a ashvagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herb known for its ability to relax the mind and body and at the same time improve physical strength and mental clarity. Ashwagandha is also a considered a powerful aphrodisiac.

Now new research shows that Ashwagandha also exhibits anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. At the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology, Japan researchers found that extracts of Ashwagandha (i-Extract) and withanone (i-Factor) inhibited tumors and protected the normal human fibroblasts against toxicity. It increased the in vitro division potential of normal human cells that appeared to be mediated by decreased accumulation of molecular damage, downregulation of the senescence-specific beta-galactosidase activity and the senescence marker protein, p21(WAF-1), protection against oxidative damage, and induction of proteasomal activity.

Thus the phytochemicals of Ashwagandha (i-Extract and withanone) have both anticancer and antiaging activities and point to the molecular link between aging and cancer.