Withania somnifera
Ashagandha
Because it is warming and has particular effectiveness on male potency, this magick herb is of Mars. A member of the hot pepper family (Solanaceae), this west Indian shrub is used in Ayurvedic medicine as balancing, especially to the nervous system. Consuming the ground roots is said to create feelings of warmth and energy without nervousness. Some people smoke the leaves to relax.  This herb also works against impotence and infertility due to the withanolides, or plant steroids, it contains. It is often combined with Mucuna pruriens in Ayurvedic medicine to treat problems with male fertility. Top

How to grow Ashwagandha:  Lightly press tiny seeds into moist Jiffy pellets or planting medium. Keep moist but not sopping wet. Bottom watering helps.  It germinates within 2 weeks at 70F.  This is a tender perennial, which means that it needs a hot climate, such as south Florida, to be a perennial; elsewhere, grow it as an annual.  It likes full sun and sandy soil, and can grow into a 3-foot bush. Harvest the root in the fall after the first frost.  General growing info Top

Discontinued

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