CANCER

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – Cancer Treatment?

Ashwagandha is an herb well known in the Hindu Ayurvedic system and is native to India, northern Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. It is an evergreen and a member of the pepper family. Also known as Withania somnifera, Indian Ginseng, Withania,  and Winter Cherry, it typically grows to a maximum height of three feet and has yellow flowers with raisin size fruit.

It's use goes back thousands of years in the Hindu Ayurvedic system and is sometimes referred to as "Indian Ginseng." It is believed that  Ashwaganda will increase stamina, improve sexual function, strengthen the immune system, improve memory, soothe and calm anxiety and slow the ageing process as well as many other conditions. Because of this, it is a major herb in the the Ayurvedic system and is one of the most used in India.

Ashwaganada is also claimed to have anti-bacterial properties and is used in a poultice for some skin conditions and wounds. There may be some benefit in using Ashwaganada if undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Active Ingredient(s):

Alkaloids, Withanoloids

How It Is Used:

Traditionally, Ashwaganda has been used in a number of ways, including teas, combining with other herbs, and chewing the fruit. All parts of the plant are used for healing properties.

Toxicity

None known at this time.

Modern Science

Because of the Withanoloids that this herb contains, modern science is interested in their use for a variety of conditions.  There does appear to be some evidence that they can kill cancer cells, and it has been suggested that withanoloids be added to any cocktails of medicine aimed at treating cancer.

According to a study at the Indian Institute of Science, (Vaishnavi K, Saxena N, Shah N, Singh R, Manjunath K, Uthayakumar M, Kanaujia SP, Kaul SC, Sekar K, Wadhwa R) and published in September of 2012,

They are known to protect plants against herbivores and have medicinal value including anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, adaptogenic and anti-oxidant effects. Withaferin A (Wi-A) and Withanone (Wi-N) are two structurally similar withanolides isolated from Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandhaalcoholic leaf extract (i-Extract), rich in Wi-N, was shown to kill cancer cells selectively. Furthermore, the two closely related purified phytochemicals, Wi-A and Wi-N, showed differential activity in normal and cancer human cells in vitro and in vivo.

As well, a study conducted by the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and also published in September 2012, said,

Ayurvedic medicine plants continue to draw attention for the discovery of novel anticancer agents. Withaferin A (WA) is one such small-molecule constituent of the ayurvedic medicine plant Withania somnifera with efficacy against cultured and xenografted human breast cancer cells.

There is certainly no doubt of the healing characteristics contained in Ashwagandha and the fact that there is no toxicity levels or known interactions, it is a very safe herb to use. Its use may also improve the synthesis of carotenoids, making them more effective. In addition, there is evidence that the compounds within this plant could be effective in dealing with diabetes, and other conditions and indeed maybe an antioxidant.