Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae family and one of the most beloved herbal adaptogens in Ayurvedic and Unani Medicine. Ashwaganda is a Hindi name meaning "horse's smell" and the term refers not only to its strong pungent smell but also of its ability to give one the strength of a horse. Due to its multifaceted healing gifts they have now become one of the most popular medicinal plants in the world.
Ashwagandha is generally harvested for Its roots and has an ability to help balance the endocrine system, increase energy and ameliorate stress among many other virtues. This is a must have medicinal plant to work with to promote a long healthy life and will grow very well as an annual in northern climates.