I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Most of the herbs written in this series are those I have seen or used. Today’s herb is of immense medicinal importance in Ayurveda, so much so that India Posts has issued a stamp in its honour!
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| Image courtesy Department of Posts |
W is for Withania somnifera commonly called Aswagandha or Winter Cherry. It belongs to the Solanaceae family (Brinjal or Egg Plant also belongs to this family). Unlike most herbs that I have described so far, this plant can grow up to six feet tall and has hairy plant parts. The fruits are striking with as they are covered with the papery calyx. It is said that the berries can be used in making cheese to substitute rennet. Here is an image of the plant with fruit that I have seen at the Udan Biodiversity Park but my friends have seen it growing wild around the city as well.
Here is a study about the medicinal effects of Ashwagandha. Worth reading this but at your leisure…
We are almost at the end of our journey and I am sure its been a wonderful month!
Take care folks!
🙂
I think i too have seen it growing in wild. Didn't know it's called ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha is a very useful, loaded with medicinal values plant and it is amazing how it can grow really tall.
What an amazing ride A to Z challenge gas been, though the tough part is here and now 🙂
Now you know!:) Cheers Rajlakshmi!
@My Era – Indeed! Thanks for your regular visits to my blog. Its really encouraged me… 🙂
Wow, that is so cool a stamp for Ashwagandha! It has indeed been a great journey hasn't it? Loved your informative posts. All the best for the last three!
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
Thanks Kala!
You have shown me a wealth of plants I had never heard of before the challenge. Thanks.
Thank you Denise. I am so happy you have stopped by regularly! 🙂
Good post. I like that it has a stamp too!!
Seena
#AtoZChallenge – W is for Wisdom
I guess the stamp recognises the importance of the plant. Thanks Seena! 🙂
My mother in law uses this herb in her Ayurvedic medicines but I had no idea it looked like this….
@bellybytes – now you know!! Thanks for stopping by!