HerbariumIQ Botanical Intelligence Workstation

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal — Ashwagandha Root

Verified Taxonomic Record (99.4% Confidence) Specimen Photography: Verified Herbarium Reference Family: Solanaceae | Part: Radix

Overview Summary: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is a revered adaptogenic root traditionally used to support stress resilience, calm energy, and restorative sleep cycles. Earthy, slightly bitter, and warming.

Botanical Identification & Habitat: Verified Macro Botanical Specimen: Small woody shrub (35–75 cm) with velvety tomentose branches, ovate dull-green leaves, and orange-red berry enclosed in a papery calyx.

Taxonomic & Pharmacopeial Profile: Accepted Binomial: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal | Family: Solanaceae | Part Used: Radix (Dried Root) | Pharmacopeia: USP / API | Primary Actions: Adaptogenic, HPA-axis modulator, GABAergic mimetic, anxiolytic.

Morphological & Chemotype Specifications: Plant Part Specification: Radix (Root only; Folium excluded in USP root monographs due to elevated withaferin A ratios) | Chemotype Markers: Withanolide A, Withanoside IV/V | Macro-Morphology: Cylindrical buff-grey tuberous root pieces with starchy fracture.

Audio Monograph Briefing (Cloudflare R2 Signed Stream): Pre-rendered Approved Botanical Summary (Non-PHI)
View Audio Transcript & Provenance

Transcript: Withania somnifera root monograph summary reviewed by HerbariumIQ Editorial Board. Source: Verified Monograph v3.0.

Traditional Knowledge & Energetics

Historical & Traditional Claim (Non-Clinical)

Documented for over 3,000 years in classical Rasayana rejuvenation texts as a foundational tonic for vitality, convalescence, and nervous exhaustion.

Ayurvedic Framework: Rasa (Tikta/Bitter, Kashaya/Astringent, Madhura/Sweet), Virya (Ushna/Warming), Vipaka (Madhura), Dosha (Pacifies Vata & Kapha; excess may increase Pitta and Ama) | Western Energetics: Warming, moistening, relaxing nervine & trophorestorative.

Safety & Contraindications

Severity: Moderate / Pregnancy Contraindicated

Material Safety Alert (Always Visible): CONTRAINDICATION: Avoid use during pregnancy (potential abortifacient activity in historical/high-dose reports). Consult a clinician if taking thyroid hormone replacement, sedatives, or immunosuppressants.

Interaction Uncertainty & Review: Established additive sedation with CNS depressants; theoretical thyroid hormone elevation. Reviewed: 2026-10.

Pharmacokinetic & CYP450 Profile: CYP450 Pathways: Minimal clinical inhibition of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or CYP2C9 at standard root doses (300–600 mg/day). Pharmacodynamic additive effects with CNS depressants (GABA-A modulation) and potential T4-to-T3 conversion stimulation; monitor free T3/T4 in hyperthyroid or levothyroxine-treated patients.

Clinical Studies & Research

AI Synthesis + PubMed Provenance

AI Evidence Summary (Consumer View): Supported by multiple randomized human clinical trials demonstrating reductions in perceived stress and morning cortisol levels over 6–8 weeks of standardized root extract intake.

Evidence Strength: Moderate-High (Human RCTs) | Report Summary Error

Structured Clinical & Preclinical Evidence Matrix (Human vs. Non-Human Separated)
Evidence Domain Study Design Population (N) Extract, Dose & Duration Outcomes & Limitations PubMed Source
Human Clinical Trial (RCT) Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial Adults with mild-to-moderate stress (N = 64) Root full-spectrum aqueous-ethanolic extract (standardized 5% withanolides), 300 mg PO BID for 60 days Statistically significant reduction in PSS-10 score (-44.0%, p < 0.0001) and serum cortisol (-27.9%). Limitations: Single-center cohort. PMID: 23439798 (2012-07)
Preclinical / In Vitro (Separated) In vitro hepatic microsome assay Human liver microsomes (CYP3A4 / CYP2D6) Isolated withanolide A & withaferin A (1–50 uM) Minimal inhibition of CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 at physiological concentrations. Limitations: Preclinical model; not direct clinical proof. PMID: 33650412 (2021-03)

Verified Bulk Botanical Sourcing

Starwest Botanicals — Organic Ashwagandha Root Cut & Sifted (1 lb Bulk)

Lot-tested identity | SKU: SW-ASH-1LB-CS | $18.50 USD

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Full Botanical & Clinical Synthesis

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