For over 3,000 years, ashwagandha has held a prominent place in Ayurveda and Unani, two of Indias ancient medicinal traditions. This revered herb, with its roots, leaves, and fruits, has been celebrated for its potent medicinal properties and adaptogenic benefits.
This book is a comprehensive exploration of ashwagandhas remarkable therapeutic potential. Drawing from centuries of traditional use and scientific advancements, it delves into the ethnopharmacology, botanical characteristics, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, clinical trials, safety, toxicity, and formulations of this powerful herb.
With growing recognition of ashwagandha as a candidate for drug development, this book critically examines its applications across diverse health domains, from neurological and reproductive health to cancer and arthritis management. It identifies research gaps that must be addressed to elevate ashwagandha to a fully commercialized, evidence-based medical intervention.
Ashwagandha: Potential Drug Candidate from Ancient Ayurvedic Remedy provides insights for scientists, healthcare professionals, nutraceutical developers, and regulatory bodies. Whether seeking to develop innovative products, optimize fitness regimens, or craft informed nutritional plans, this book is the ultimate guide to harnessing the full potential of ashwagandha.
1. Foreword
2. Controversies in Ashwagandha research and commercialisation
3. Scientific Evidence against Traditional Claims of Ashwagandha in Unani
System of Medicine
4. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Translating Traditional Wisdom into
Evidence based Applications
5. Ashwagandha: An Overview of Cultivation, Propagation, Extraction, and its
Phytochemistry
6. Optimizing Withanolide Production Through Innovative In Vitro Propagation
and Genetic Manipulation in Hairy Root Cultures
7. Ashwagandha species, Cultivars and Agronomic practices
8. Ashwagandh: Pharmacological review and traditional uses in Sri Lanka
9. Steroidal Lactones of Ashwagandha: Influence of Geographical Variations
and Molecular Insights
10. Adaptogenic health benefits of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal)
- Phytochemical and Pharmacological Perspectives
11. Leveraging Ashwagandha's Anti-Inflammatory Potential: Clinical Insights
on Stress Management, Cognitive Enhancement, and Well-being
12. Preclinical studies with Ashwagandha - An overview
13. Ashwagandha: A Promising Immunomodulatory Therapeutic Drug
14. Pharmacokinetics of Ashwagandha actives a novel research avenue and its
clinical relevance
15. A comprehensive synopsis of current Research on the therapeutic actions
of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)
16. Role Of Withania Somnifera As Androgenic
17. Immunomodulatory Role of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera): A Review As
Important Traditional Therapeutic Constituents In Ayurveda
18. Withaferin A in Human Health
19. Systems Pharmacology perspective of Withania somnifera in
immunomodulation and multi-organ protection against cytokine storm in viral
respiratory infections
20. Comprehensive Insights into the Pharmacological Marvels and
Biopreservative Prowess of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunn for Cardiovascular
and Neurological Wellbeing
21. Ashwagandha: Mechanism and Therapeutic benefits
22. Ayurvedic Remedy: Harnessing Ashwagandha to Alleviate Stress, Anxiety,
Insomnia, and Cognitive Impairments
23. The Impact of Withania somnifera on Cardiovascular Health: A
Comprehensive Review
24. "Science of Ashwagandha - Therapeutic Potential in Reproductive and
Sexual Health
25. Neurotherapeutic Potential of Withania Somnifera: Insights from Ayurvedic
Medicine
26. Adaptogens Unveiled: Ashwagandha's Multifaceted Role in Sports Nutrition
and Mind-Body Health
27. Alzheimer's and Ashwagandha: A Natural Approach to Cognitive Health
28. Ashwagandha: Potential Drug candidate from ancient Ayurvedic remedies
29. Efficacy and safety of Withania somnifera (Indian Ginseng) in rheumatoid
arthritis: A systematic review of evidence from experimental studies to
clinical trials
30. Looking beyond the roots: Exploring the untapped potential of Withania
somnifera
31. Ashwaghandha - The Magical Herb
32. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L) Dunal): clinical experiences
33. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal.): Promotive, therapeutic profile
and clinical experiences
34. Overview of Ashwagandha for human health and diseases
35. Overview of Ashwagandha Supplements
36. Ashwagandha [ Withania somnifera (Linn) Dunal]: A review on safety,
efficacy and toxicological aspects
37. Ashwagandha- a global herbal market crusader
Dr. Dilip Ghosh has received his PhD in biomedical science from India & post-doc from USDA-ARS, HNRCA at Tufts University, Boston. He is an international speaker, facilitator and author and professionally associated with Nutriconnect, Australia; Adjunct-Industry Fellow, NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University. He is also a Visiting Professor, Kasturba Health Society, Medical Research Center, Mumbai, Jamia Hamdard University at Food Technology, Delhi, India & Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. He is a fellow of American College of Nutrition (ACN), professional member of Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology (AIFST), an advisor and executive board member of Health Foods and Dietary Supplements Association (HADSA), The Society for Ethnopharmacology, India (SFE-India), Council for Ayurveda Research, USA, Australasian Ayurvedic Association, Australia and also in editorial board of several journals. Dr. Ghosh has published more than 100 papers in peer reviewed journals, numerous articles in food and nutrition magazines and books. His few recent books, Pharmaceutical to Nutraceutical: A Paradigm shift in disease prevention, Natural Medicines-Clinical efficacy, Safety and Quality, Nutraceutical in Brain Health & beyond & Fenugreek-Traditional & Modern Medicinal Uses have been published under CRC Press, and Elsevier/Academic Press, USA. His new book, Nutrition science, marketing nutrition, health claims and public policy is published last year. Two new books, Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine for Neurocognition" and "Ashwagandha: Potential Drug Candidate from Ancient Ayurvedic Remedy" are currently in the press.
Dr Ghosh is also a recipient of IASTAMZandu Oration Award 2022-23. Dr Ghosh has very recently nominated as Consultant, WHO-Global Traditional Medicine Center (GTMC).
Dr. Benny Antony is a distinguished scientist and entrepreneur at the forefront of botanical research and nutraceutical innovation. As the Co-founder and Joint Managing Director of Arjuna Natural Private Limited, he has played a pivotal role in establishing the company as a global leader in standardized herbal and spice extracts, including high-potency Ashwagandha, with exports to over 60 countries.
Holding a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University and an M.Sc. in Applied Chemistry from Maharajas College, Dr. Benny has dedicated his career to advancing natural health solutions through rigorous scientific research. With over 120 granted patents worldwide and 28 ongoing applications, his expertise spans bioavailability enhancement, extraction technologies, and clinical validation of herbal actives. His pioneering work on BCM-95® curcumin has set new industry benchmarks, earning him international acclaim.
Dr. Bennys contributions to the field of Ashwagandha research are central to this book. Leveraging his deep scientific insights, he explores its bioactive constituents, therapeutic potential, and innovative formulations that enhance efficacy and absorption. His work has been recognized with prestigious honours, including the National Intellectual Property Award (2019) from the Government of India, the WIPO Medal for Inventors, and the Best Innovator of the Year Award (2010-11) by the Spices Board of India.
Bringing decades of research and industry expertise, Dr. Benny provides a compelling scientific perspective on Ashwagandha, offering readers an in-depth understanding of its role in modern nutraceuticals and evidence-based wellness solutions.
