It is often touted as the Indian version of ginseng because,like ginseng, ashwagandha is revered as a non-specific tonic, an adaptogen that is used alone or as an ingredient in compounds designed to target a variety of conditions.

The plant acts as a mild sedative, an anti-inflammatory and a libido booster. The chemically active ingredients in ashwagandha, withanolides, appear to have a steroid like effect, meaning that they indirectly increase activity of steroidal hormones like testosterone and progesterone. Because of testosterone's effect on sex drive, this could be what is behind ashwagandha's purported aphrodisiac effects.

Ashwagandha also relaxes blood vessels and stimulates circulation. Researchers speculate the anti-anxiety action of ashwagandha stems from something in the herb that mimics gamma-amino-butytric acid (GABA), a naturally occuring substance in the brain whose role is to decrease the effect of stimuli that reach the brain. As with other herbs, expect to take this daily for 2-4 weeks before you begin to feel it's beneficial effects.