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Ashwagandha

The Winter Cherry

The day was strange when I happened upon you
the bench that held you suddenly held me
you were a stranger I startled, I apologised
and by the time we left the bench we knew each by name.
You were my Ashwagandha and I was your Witch Hazel
as we walked haphazardly through the streets
we were perplexed by the plethora of pillows that appeared
as our words slowly spun into our eyes and we could no longer look away.
We found a gazebo where I spun around in daydreams
and you fell head over heels until I could see it beneath the clouds
that told us our hopes and our dreams of shared futures
and I gazed down into your eyes as the swans swam as swiftly
as my question came, “Can I kiss you?”
and you replied, “As long as I can keep you.”
so we kissed as softly as the breeze blew
parting only so that I could whisper, “I woke up today just for you.”

Michael Stoneburner

Ashwagandha is an important Ayurvedic herb. The name comes from the Sanskrit and translates to horse (ashwa) and odor (gandha). It is the root that is used medicinally and when we dig it up, it does, in fact smell a bit like a pungent like a horse.  Imagine the horsemen and horsewomen of long ago, with their rugged strength and perseverance. Still, at its heart, ashwagandha is more than simply noble and strong.  It encompasses skill, adaptability, and endurance.  It is creative in solving problems, determined to do the job right, and able to preserve our strength so that we can access it over the long haul.  Really, Ashwagandha is a hero among plants.

The Magic of Ashwagandha

Correspondences

Element: Earth, Fire
Gender: Both
Sabbat: Beltane
Planet: Venus
Chakra: Sacral, Solar Plexus

Spellwork

Strength
Balance
Adapt
Passion
Heal

Proverb

Telugu: For a nameless disease ashwagandha is the medicine​

The Medicine of Ashwagandha

Ayurvedic

Ayurvedic Name: Ashwagandha
Vata: Decrease
Kapha: Decrease
Pitta: Increase
Taste: Bitter, Astringent

Herbology

Adaptogen
Antispasmodic
Aphrodisiac
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Immunomodulant
Nervine
Sedative
Tonic

TCM

Not Applicable

Science of Ashwagandha

Botany

Botanical Name: Withania somnifera
Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)
Type of Plant: Shrub
Habitat: Well-drained soil, sun/part sun
Zone: 3-10
Bloom Time: October
Height: 2.5-5 feet
Spread: 3 feet
Propagation: Seed
Harvest: Autumn on plants older than 1 year
Part Used: Root
Constituents: Withanolides, alkaloids, steroidal lactones, tropine, cuscohygrine
Native Region: India, Africa
Sustainability: In debate

Leaf

Structure: Simple
Arrangement: Alternate
Shape: Elliptic
Length: 4-5 inches
Margins: Entire
Surface: Pubescent

Flower

Inflorescence: Simple
Sexuality: Perfect
Stamen: 5
Petals: 5 bell star
Color: Yellow-green
Size: 1/2 inch

Sacred Story

Alexander the Great was an ancient Greek King reigning from 330 BCE until his death in 323 BCE at 32 years of age. Tutored as a youngster by Aristotle, Alexander eventually embarked upon an unprecedented military campaign through western Asia and northeast Africa.  In ten years of his reign, he amassed one of the largest empires of the ancient world.  How did he do this, you might ask?  Ashwagandha.  Well, ashwagandha and an amazingly strategic mind.  It is said that he made a wine with ashwagandha for his personal use as well as for some of his soldiers to improve their stamina in battle.

Sacred Story