Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants - Juliet Diaz 2020

Ashwagandha Withania somnifera
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

healing, strength, amplification

Also known as winter cherry or Indian ginseng, ashwagandha’s name translates literally to “smell of horse,” and her root does indeed smell very equine. This small shrub in the nightshade family has been a part of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Ashwagandha can do just about anything. As she is an adaptogen, she can help your body cope with daily stress, adjusting her healing properties to whatever it is you need. She can also treat arthritis, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, menstrual concerns, liver disease, and asthma. She can improve mental function and can work as an aphrodisiac. The root is generally taken internally, but may also be made into a salve and used externally to treat wounds and skin conditions.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Everyone should learn how to work with ashwagandha, for she is as powerful spiritually as she is medicinally. Her presence in your life awakens a life force energy, constantly feeding you strength and healing. If you are able, purchase a plant and care for her; you can also work with her dried roots.

Ashwagandha is particularly helpful when you are in need of grounding. We all need to feel grounded from time to time, especially after doing spellwork. Hold ashwagandha in your hand while meditating or while sipping her tea, and you will instantly feel rooted to the Earth. You can also pour her tea into your bath to cleanse your auric field. As you soak, her healing will permeate through your entire being. Placing her roots on your altar or incorporating them into your spellwork will add longevity to your Magical workings—add ashwagandha to practically any spell, and she will amplify its energies, making it last longer.

PLANT WISDOM

Ashwagandha is such a sacred plant. Her wisdom lives in the spirit of connectivity: She can help you become aligned with both your higher self and the Earth beneath your feet. She can also help you navigate whatever hardships come your way, whispering to you, offering you guidance on your next steps. She teaches how to find the strength you need within yourself, and the knowledge that you can break through even the most troubling of times. Invite her into your dreams by sipping her tea before going to bed. Ask her to join you, and she will fill you with deep healing as you sleep.