Ashwagandha

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What is it?

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Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herbaceous shrub from the nightshade family, native to India, Nepal, and Northern Africa.  Also known as Indian ginseng, or winter cherry, the Ashwagandha herb is one of the most important plants in Ayurvedic medicine.

Growing Roots

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Ashwagandha plants are traditionally cultivated for their roots.  These slow-growing plants can reach up to 3 feet in height and be kept as perennials in USDA zones 7 and higher.

Tips for Growing

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There are two methods you can use for growing Ashwagandha at home.  The easiest method is to grow it from seeds, but if you already have an Ashwagandha plant, you can propagate it from stem cuttings. Ashwagandha is a low-maintenance plant that’s easy to grow at home. It’s not too pretentious for soil and fertilizers but prefers a dry, sunny location. View the website article for more details

Harvesting

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Ashwagandha has a slow growth rate and can take anywhere between 5 and 6 months to reach maturity.  When the papery husk covering the berries begins to dry out, it is ready to harvest. In India, specialized tools are being used to harvest Ashwagandha. But in your garden, you can simply harvest this plant by hand.

How to Use

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The entire Ashwagandha plant has medicinal properties, but the ones most commonly used are dried roots.  You can use them to make tea, soak them in alcohol to make a tincture, or grind them into a powder. Read the website article for specifics

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