Ashwagandha or Asgand (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng is a native medicinal plant grown all over north-western and central India. It is an important ancient plant, the roots of which have been deployed in Indian traditional systems of medicine, ayurveda and unani. It is an erect growing, branching shrub with a normal height of 1.50 m. It grows well in dry and sub-tropical regions. Ashwagandha is a hardy and drought tolerant plant.Ashwagandha is considered to be one of the excellent rejuvenating agents in Ayurveda. Its roots, seeds and leaves are used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines. Ashwagandha is mentioned as an important drug in ancient Ayurvedic literature.Ashwagandha contains many useful medicinal chemicals, including withanolides (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, amino acids, and a variety of sugars. While the leaves and fruit have valuable therapeutic properties, the root of the Ashwagandha plant is the part most commonly used in Western herbal remedies.