A comparative study of root of Ginseng and Ashwagandha as Rasayana (Adaptogenic effect)

Shivkanya Sharma; Rohit Johari

Herbs are the backbone of Ayurvedic system of medicine and various researches have been carried out all over the world to revalidate their efficacy. Herbs in Ayurveda aims not only relieves from diseases but also are useful for maintaining longevity of life. Ginseng is the most widely internationally recognized herb used in traditional medicine from more than 2000 years. Its root provides generalized strengthening effect on the body like Adaptogenic / Stress protective effect. But in today’s era, it is gaining popularity because of its “Adaptogenic effect”. Ashwagandha also known as Withania somnifera, is used as a Rasayana in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Its root also shows great Adaptogenic effect (Rasayana) on the body. Aims and objectives: 1. A comparative study of root of both the drugs w.s.r to its organoleptic characters and chemical constituents. 2. To establish Ginseng as a potent Rasayana drug as same as Ashwagandha. Material and methods: 1. Data related to chemical constituents and organoleptic characters of roots of both the drugs will be collected. 2. Information related to Ginseng and Ashwagandha will be evaluated.

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Shivkanya Sharma, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept. of Dravya Guna, Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, Punjab, India.
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Shivkanya Sharma, Rohit Johari, A comparative study of root of Ginseng and Ashwagandha as Rasayana (Adaptogenic effect). J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(5):115-118.
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2022-05-04

2022-05-06

2022-05-13

2022-05-20

2022-05-27

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Introduction

Herbs are the backbone of Ayurvedic system of medicine and various researches have been carried out all over the world to revalidate their efficacy.

Herbs in Ayurveda aims not only relieves from diseases but also are useful for maintaining longevity of life.

Ayurveda is the science which deals with every aspect of life and is divided into 8 branches that are helpful to meet specific needs in the process of preventing disease and maintain body’s health. This branch Rasayana has been practiced since ancient times.

There is so much importance given to this branch of Ayurveda that the chapters shows a foremost place in Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya.

In Charak Samhita, Rasayana has been described in the first chapter of Chikitsa Sthana,^[1] in Sushruta Samhita,^[2] it is pushed back to chapters 27 to 30 and in Ashtanga Hridya, it is described only in 39^th chapter of Uttar Tantra.^[3]

Rasayana consists of a specialized use of herbs and herbomineral formulations. Rasayana means the way for attaining excellent Rasadi Dhatus thus improves the quality of dhatus that lead to long activity and strength. In Ayurveda, various medicinal plants or Herbs have been described as Rasayanas.

Ashwagandha has been described by Acharya Charak one of the best Rasayanas. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) also called as Indian ginseng. Its roots are considered as Rasayanas that promotes the health and longevity by fighting against disease, revitalizing the body in tough conditions and arrests the aging process. It is used in stress and anxiety related condition.

Ginseng is the most widely internationally recognized herb used in traditional medicine from more than 2000 years. Its root provides generalized strengthening effect on the body like Adaptogenic/ Stress protective effect. But in today’s era, it is gaining popularity because of its “Adaptogenic effect”. Ginseng is a medicinal plant used in various conditions because of its antioxidant and stress relieving property.

Ginseng is also known as Panax ginseng and is in important medicine in East Asian countries like Japan, Korea, China, etc. The word Panax is derived from “Panacea” that means cure for all disease and works for longevity as well as physical strength for the body.^[4]

Adaptogenic works at molecular level that regulates a stability between Pituitary, Hypothalamic and Adrenal glands. It not only helps the body to deal with stress but also increases longevity and quality of life.

Aims and Objectives

1.A comparative study of root of both the drugs w.s.r. to its organoleptic characters and chemical constituents.

2. To establish Ginseng as a potent Rasayana drug as same as Ashwagandha.

Materials and Methods

Data related to chemical constituents and organoleptic characters of roots of both the drugs were collected.^[5,6]

Information related to Ginseng and Ashwagandha were evaluated.

Organoleptic Characters

Parameters	Ginseng	Ashwagandha
Color	White	Yellowish brown or Light brown
Taste	Sweet and bitte	Bitter and Acrid
Smell	Feeble odor	Smells like horse urine
Shape and Size	Short and Size upto 6 to 18 inches	Tuberous root and is like ginger or carrot shaped
Fracture	Short and Mealy	Short and powder
Potency	Little cold	Hot

Powder microscopy

Ginseng and Ashwagandha:

Both have Xylem, Phloem and Cork

Chemical constituents

Ginseng

Polysaccharides, alkaloids, glucosides, phenolic acid (salicylic acid, vanilic acid), gomisin, thiazole, ginsenoside, amino acids like arginine, glutamic acid, leucine, proline, serine, etc.

Observations and Results

Table of similarities and dissimilarities

From the above data, we find that both Ashwagandha and Ginseng have significant anti stress adaptogenic effect. The extracts of Ashwagandha produce GABA- like activity which shows anti-anxiety effects. GABA (Gamma Amino-butyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter present in brain and its main function is to decrease neuronic activity and inhibits the nerve cells. This property shows a calm effect on the brain. As excess neuronal activity may lead to restlessness as well as insomnia but GABA as an inhibitory neurotransmitter inhibits the number of nerve cells that fire up in brain and helps to reduce stress, anxiety, uplift mod and induce sleep. As per Ayurveda it has been used since ancient times to stabilize the mood in those patients who are suffering with behavioral disturbances. Ashwagandha is the most widely spread tranquilizer used in India and holds a same position of importance as similar to ginseng in China and it is due to the presence of Somniferin and salicylic acid in Ashwagandha and Ginseng respectively. Salicylic acid works as an adaptogenic by suppressing the expression of cyclooxygenase and hence, reduces the production of prostaglandins. It is also believed that strength behind the ginseng root stems from its resemblance to human body and this word ‘Ginseng” is derived from Chinese word renshen which means “Man Root”.

The similarities and dissimilarities are;

Particulars	Ginseng	Ashwagandha	Similarities	Dissimilarities
Rasa (Taste)	Sweet and Bitter	Sweet, Bitter and Astringent	ü
Guna (Quality)		Light and Unctuous		ü
Veerya (Potency)	Little cold	Hot	ü
Vipaka (Post digestion effect)	-	Sweet	-	-
Action		Balances all the three Doshas		ü

Reference

1. Shastri, Pt Kashinath, Dr Gorakhanath Chaturvedi, and Charak Samhita. "Vidyotini hindi commentary." Charak samhita 2 (2017)

2. Samhita, Sushruta. "Hindi commentary by Kaviraja Ambika Dutt Shastri." Vol-I, Published by Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Edition-Reprint-2012

3. Paradakara, H. S. "Ashtanga Hridaya of Vagbhata, Uttara Tantra." (2005)

4. Wee, Jae Joon, Kyeong Mee Park, and An-Sik Chung. "Biological activities of ginseng and its application to human health." Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition (2011)

5. Ratan, Zubair Ahmed, Mohammad Faisal Haidere, Yo Han Hong, Sang Hee Park, Jeong-Oog Lee, Jongsung Lee, and Jae Youl Cho. "Pharmacological potential of ginseng and its major component ginsenosides." Journal of ginseng research 45, no. 2 (2021): 199-210

6. Singh, Narendra, Mohit Bhalla, Prashanti de Jager, and Marilena Gilca. "An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda." African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines 8, no. 5S (2011)

7. Sharma, P. V. "Dravya guna vigyan (Vol. 2)." Chaukhambha Bharti Academy (2011)

8. Dharmananda S. The Nature of Ginseng from Traditional Use to Modern Research. ITM; 2002 Sep.

Review Article

Ginseng

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences