Indian Ginseng Plant Review, Benefits & Side Effects

Indian ginseng is an evergreen shrub native to drier areas of the Middle East and India. Also known as Ashwagandha, this plant is an important herb used in Ayurvedic medicinal practices for centuries.

“Ashwagandha” in Sanskrit literally means “odor of the horse” or “horse smell” and describes the pungent odor of Indian ginseng.

It is referred to as “Indian Ginseng” because it shares some of the medicinal effects of the Asian and American Ginseng plants. The roots of this plant also physically resemble the tubular roots of the “True” Ginseng plant.

A member of the nightshade (Solanaceae) family, Indian ginseng (Withania somnifera) presents ellipical-shaped, dull green leaves and small, bell-shaped, green flowers with yellowish petals on the inside of the flower. When ripe, fruit of the Indian ginseng shrub is reddish-orange and resembles very small tomatoes.

Ashwagandha

Adaptogen

Stress

Mood

Sleep

How It Works:

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves concentration, fatigue & sleep
• Protects against oxidative stress

Dosage:

Between 300 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Indian Ginseng Uses

Roots, berries and leaves of the Indian ginseng shrub have historically been used in numerous Indian home remedies and in Indian Ayurvedic medicine.

Indian ginseng benefits ascribed by traditional medicine practitioners include [1]:

• Promotes energy and endurance of the body to enable adaption to physical and mental stress
• Induces calm, sedative effects to treat insomnia and anxiety
• Increases libido and sexual vitality
• Relieves the pain of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis via its anti-inflammatory properties
• Maintains liver health and corrects liver dysfunction

Chemical Composition of Indian Ginseng

Withanolides are the primary bioactive compounds found in Indian ginseng. Withanolides are specifically referred to as triterpene lactones, which are structurally similar to Panax ginseng’s ginsenoisides. [2] The seeds, fruits and roots contain withaferin A, withanone, sitoindosides and withanolides A, D and G. Significant amounts of iron have been found in Indian ginseng as well. [2]

Withaferin A is steroidal lactone that exerts anti-angiogenic activity at lower doses than doses previously used while investigating its anti-tumor properties. Research studies suggest that the withaferin A found in Indian ginseng may be potentially useful in cancer prevention and treatment. [3]

Another study discovered that Indian ginseng withaferin A stimulates formation of bone by inhibiting cellular processes leading to bone degradation. Indian ginseng may also help suppress inflammatory cytokines and promote survival of bone cells. [4]

Withanolides as a whole represent a large group of chemical compounds produced by Nightshade family plants. Medicinal properties attributed to withanolides in Indian ginseng include suppression of inflammation, inhibition of cancer cell growth, regeneration of dendrites and axons in mice and amelioration of brain dysfunction in laboratory mice with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. [5]

Indian Ginseng Benefits and Effects

Indian ginseng stimulates activity of phagocytes and lymphocytes, two important immune system cells responsible for attacking pathogens that invade the body. Withanolides concentrated in the roots of Indian ginseng shrubs are primarily behind improved functioning of the immune system. [6]

Chronic stress produces numerous negative effects on the physiological and psychological health of humans, including frequent illnesses, stomach ulcers, hypertension, high cholesterol and pre-diabetic glucose levels.

In laboratory models, introduction of Indian ginseng to stressed rats decreased all these effects of stress and even reduced blood sugar in a manner comparable to commonly used hypoglycemic medications. [7]

A review on Indian ginseng effects on overall health found literature [7] that describes the ability of Indian ginseng’s chemical constituents to:

• Reverse hypothyroidism/impaired functioning of the thyroid
• Increase catalase activity to promote free radical scavenging
• Impart anti-depressive and anxiolytic effects similar to the effects provided by benzodiazepines and imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant.

To make vegetarian cheese, Indian ginseng seeds are used to curdle plant milk. The fruits contain rich amounts of saponins that create cleaning solutions and soap substitutes due to their foaming properties. Shrub leaves are sometimes used as an insect repellant as well. [14]

Indian Ginseng and Parkinson’s Disease

An interesting study regarding the benefits of Indian ginseng on people with Parkinson’s disease found that treating lab mice with Parkinson’s for seven days improved levels of specific enzymes thought to play a role in physical symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Information from this research study suggests that Indian ginseng extract represents a potential drug for reducing physiological abnormalities and oxidative stress associated with Parkinson’s. [8]

Indian Ginseng as an Antibacterial and Antifungal Agent

When combined with a water solvent, extracts from unripened Indian ginseng fruit shows strong antibacterial activity against R. planticola and E. coli. Indian ginseng extract also presents antifungal activity against candida albicans, a common fungus causing a variety of oral and genital fungal infections in humans. [9]

Another study using ripened fruit extracts from Indian ginseng found that its constituents inhibited fungal (Aspergillus niger) and bacterial growth. In fact, the inhibitory effect of Indian ginseng on pathogens compares to that of prescription antibiotics. [10]

Dosage Recommendations

How much Indian ginseng is needed to treat health problems is based on research studies investigating relief of arthritis, insomnia, ataxia (lack of muscle control) and practitioners of traditional medicine. Doses ranging from two milligrams up to 500 milligrams of root powder were given to subjects with no side effects reported.

Pregnant women should not take Indian ginseng because of its cytotoxic and antiangiogenic properties. It could induce abortion or miscarriage. [11]

To maintain overall well-being, Ayurvedic practitioners recommend adults take between 500 to 2000 milligrams of Indian ginseng root powder per day. [12]

Indian Ginseng Interactions with Medications

No reports of Indian ginseng interacting negatively with food have been documented. However, there are possible interactions with medications.

Indian ginseng could interfere with diabetic medications by enhancing their ability to reduce blood sugar. Hypoglycemia is a possibility when mixing Indian ginseng with diabetes drugs.

People taking high blood pressure medication should use caution when taking Indian ginseng. Anti-hypertensive properties in Indian ginseng may cause a significant drop in blood pressure.

Indian ginseng may irritate existing ulcers and/or the gastrointestinal tract. Because of its ability to reduce central nervous system activity, Indian ginseng should not be taken three day before surgery requiring general anesthesia. [13]

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