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Home >  Agriculture Technology>> Medicinal Plant Ashwagandha                       

     

   Introduction
  Common Name
  Ashwagandha Plant
  Chemical Constituents
  Cultivation
  Ashwagandha as Medicinal Herb
  Ashwagandha Side Effects
  Economics

Introduction
 Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng,  and  as Indian Winter Cherry is an important ancient plant, the roots of which have been employed in Indian traditional systems of medicine, Ayurveda and Unani. It grows in dry parts in sub-tropical regions. Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are the major Ashwagandha producing states of the country. The estimated production of Ashwagandha roots in India is more than 1500 tonnes and the annual requirement is about 7000 tonnes necessitating the increase in its cultivation and higher production.
  Common Name:
Hindi -          Asgandh  
English -      winter cherry 
Latin  -         WITHANIA somnifera   
Sanskrit -    Ashwagandha
 Tamil    -     Ammukirankazangu 
Kannada -   Amangura
Telgu       -   Asvagandhi 
Malayalam- Trittavu.  

 
  Ashwagandha Plant  

  Ashwagandha Plant
   An erect branched under shrub up to 1.25 m in height, minutely stellate tomentose. Root fleshy, tapering, whitish brown. Leaves ovate, flower greenish. It grows in dried parts in subtropical regions.
Chemical Constituents: 
  The methanol, hexane and diethyl ether extracts from both leaves and roots of ashwagandha were found. Alkaloid percentage in roots ranges from 0.13 to 0.31%. 

 
  Ashwagandha 
  dried roots
                         

  Cultivation
  W. somnifera grows well in sandy loam or light red soil, having pH 7.5-8.0 with good drainage. It can be cultivated between 600-1200 m  altitude. The semi-tropical areas receiving 500-750 mm rainfall are suitable for cultivation of this rained crop. The crop requires dry season during its growing period. Temperature between 200C to 350C is most suitable for cultivation. Late winter rains are conducive for the proper development of the plant roots
LAND PREPARATION
Ashwagandha is usually grown in fields which are not well covered by the irrigation systems. The field on which food crops cannot be taken profitably for the above reason may be used for Ashwangandha cultivation. The soil of the field selected for Ashwagandha cultivation is well pulverized by ploughing, disking and/or harrowing. The field may be then levelled by the application pata.
PLANTING
The crop can be sown either by broad casting or in lines. Live to line method is preferred as it in creases root production and also helps in performing intercultural practices properly. The seeds are usually sown about 1-3 cm deep in June- July in nursery. A light shower after shower after sowing ensures good germination. About 500-750 gm seeds are sufficient for 1 ha. field. Seeds can be treated, with Thiram or Indofil or Dithane medicinal plants - 45 (@ 3 gm/kg seed), before sowing to protect seedlings from seed borne diseases. The seedling after 25-35 days after sowing can be transplanted in the field marinating 60 x 60 cm. Spacing between the plants & the rows. It may be noted that since 'Asagnadh' is a rainy season Kharif crop, the time of sowing is decided by date of arrival of monsoon in that area.
THINNING AND WEEDING
The seeds sown by broadcasting or in the line in furrows should be thinned out by hand at 25-30 days after sowing to maintain a plant population of about 30-60 plants per square meter (about 3.5 to 6 lakh plants/hectare). The plant density to be used may depend on the nature and fertility of the soil. On the marginal land the population is kept high. If some fertiliser (N:P:K::20:20:0) is applied then the population should preferably be kept at a lower level. One hand weeding at an early stage is sufficient to enable the Ashwagandha plants to take over the growth of weed which get suppressed by its smothering effect.
MANURES, FERTILISERS AND PESTICIDES
The medicinal plants have to be grown without chemical fertilizers and use of pesticides. Organic manures like, Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Vermi-Compost, Green Manure etc. may be used as per requirement of the species. To prevent diseases, bio-pesticides could be prepared (either single or mixture) from Neem (kernel, seeds & leaves), Chitrakmool, Dhatura, Cow's urine etc.
IRRIGATION
Light shower after transplantation ensures establishment of seedlings. There is no need of irrigation if rainfall is at regular intervals. Excessive rainfall/water is harmful to the crop. Life saving irrigations may be applied, if required.
HARVESTING/ POST HARVESTING
The plants start flowering and bearing fruits from December onwards. The crop is ready for harvest in January-March at 150 to 180 days after sowing. The maturity of crop is judged by drying out of leaves and yellow red berries. The entire plant is uprooted for roots which are separated from aerial parts by cutting the stem 1-2 cm above the crown. The roots are then either cut transversely into small pieces (7 to 10 cm) or dried as it is in the sun. About 650-800 kg roots can be obtained from 1 ha on drying it comes to 350-435 kg. Berries are hand plucked separately. They are dried and crushed to take out the seeds.
The dried roots, entire or transversely cut into smaller pieces, have to be further cleaned, trimmed and graded. The roots are beaten with a club which removes adhering soil and breaks off the thin, brittle lateral rootlets. Lateral branches, root crown and stem remains on roots are carefully trimmed with the help of knife.

YIELD
On an average, the yield from 1 hectare of commercial cultivation is approximately 3 to 5 q./ of dry roots and 50 to 75 kg of seeds. A maximum yield can be procured upto 6.5 to 7.0 q/ha. There are instances where farmers have achieved root yields as high as 1 tonne. Commercially, 6 to 15 mm diameter and 7 to 10 cm length root species are better. Alkaloid percentage in roots ranges from 0.13 to 0.31%. On an average yield from one hectare land under commercial cultivation is approx 3-5 quintals of dried roots and 50-75 kg seeds.
Ashwagandha as Medicinal Herb
   Ashwagandha is considered to be one of the best rejuvenating agents in Ayurveda. Its roots, seeds and leaves are used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines. Ashwagandha root drug finds an important place in treatment of rheumatic pain, inflammation of joints, nervous disorders and epilepsy. Dried roots are used as tonic for hiccup, cold, cough, female disorders, as a sedative, in care of senile debility, ulcers, etc. Leaves are applied for carbuncles, inflammation and swellings. Leaf juice is useful in conjunctivitis. Bark decoction is taken for asthma and applied locally to bed sores. Ashwagandha and its extracts are used in preparation of herbal tea, powders, tablets and syrups.
  Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-stress, antioxidant, mind-boosting, immune-enhancing, and rejuvenating properties. Ashwagandha root has also been noted to have sex-enhancing properties. Ashwagandha is mentioned in the ancient Kama Sutra as an herb to be used for heightening sexual experience, Ashwagandha has the ability to restore sexual health and improve overall vitality while promoting a calm state of mind. A 2002 laboratory study indicates ashwagandha stimulates the growth of axons and dendrites. A 2001 study in rodents showed ashwagandha had memory boosting ability. A 2000 study with rodents showed ashwagandha to have anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects.
   The plant has been used as an aphrodisiac, liver tonic, anti-inflammatory agent, and more recently to treat asthma, ulcers, insomnia, and senile dementia. Clinical trials and animal research support the use of ashwagandha for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders, inflammation, and Parkinson's disease. Incorporation of ashwagandha in the diet may prevent or decrease the
growth of tumors in human.

Ashwagandha Side Effects
Ashwagandha does not have any significant side effects reported in the medical literature.
Economics
Unit cost
The unit cost for development of 1 ha transplanted Ashwagandha cultivation is Rs.22,400/-. The details of  the income assumed are also presented in the given table.
Income                           (Rs./ha)
From roots                      35000
From seeds                     3600
Total gross income          38600
       Cost                        22400
Net income                     16200
Note: Market for medicinal plants is volatile and the economics may vary.

                                                                                                              

 

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