Description
Ashwagandha is called winter cherry and Indian ginseng in English and it’s botanical name is Withania Somnifera. It is called Amukkara Kizhangu in Tamil, Asgandh in Hindhi, Paneru in Telugu and Kanchuki in Kannada. It is named ashwagandha because the root of the plant smells like horse (ashwa means horse and gandha means smell) and some also say it is named because it gives one the strength of the horse.
 
Ashwagandha is an important herbal plant that has amazing health benefits and medicinal uses. Ashwagandha is the Sanskrit name of the plant. It is famous all over India and it is used extensively in unanai and ayurvedic medicines. Ashwagandha also is used in home remedies for centuries.
 
How to Use
Take ¼ to ½ teaspoon, mixed with warm milk and honey, and taken before bed, calming vata and fostering healthy sleep patterns, reproductive system, and strength. A general dose can be 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon once or twice daily. 
 
Traditionally ashwagandha is taken with ghee and honey (equal parts) for overall nourishment and rejuvenation. Adding sugar (cane or sugar candy) adds a cooling effect and can even be substituted for the honey, particularly in the summer months. It can also be used with ghee and sugar to support the female reproductive system and joints. 

 
Health Benefits
For Diabetes: Ashwagandha has been proven to decrease the blood sugar levels
For Skin and Hair: Aswanghanda is A Natural Tonic. It lowers the cortisol levels in the body, it greatly prevents stress related hair loss and is said to prevent premature greying of the hair and promote hair growth. The antioxidant effect prevents skin aging. Ashwagandha also has anti-inflammatory properties which help heal skin inflammations. 
For Increasing Sperm Count in Men: Ashwagandha has been used proven effective.
For Stress & Anxiety:  Ashwagandha is an anti-stress herb that reduces cortisol levels.
For Sleep: By reducing cortisol levels, Ashwagandha increases the quality and duration of sleep time. 
For Cancer: Suppresses tumor activity and slows the growth of cancer cells.
For Weight Loss and Muscle Gain: Ashwagandha has been proven to increase the muscle mass and reduce body fat.
For Cholesterol Reduction: Ashwagandha has been proven to reduce LDL cholesterol which benefits heart health.