Ashwagandha’s latin name is Withania somnifera. It is in the Solanacea nightshade plant family. Common names for Ashwagandha, include Indian Gooseberry, and Winter Cherry, since it has an orange-red berry during the fall season. The plant is a tender perennial shrub, and grows to about 20 inches tall. Ashwagandha Root is commonly used in the ancient Indian health science called Ayurveda, to support the body against stress*.

The name Ashwagandha, is likely derived from the sanskit word which means horse (ashva) and the word that means smell (gandha). This is thought to be a reference to the strong earthy scent of the root, which is the most common part of the plant that is used as a remedy. Others interpret it to mean that the user will have the vitality and strength of a horse. Ashwagandha is considered to be an Adaptogen. In traditional herbalism, adaptogen is a group of herbs that are commonly used to support the body in dealing with the onslaughts and stresses of life, both environmental, physical and mental.