Ashwagandha (ash-wa-gahn-da) is a powerful herb that has been used in Ayurvedic( Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. It is considered one of the world's oldest healing systems and is still widely practiced today) medicine for thousands of years. Also known as Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, or winter cherry, ashwagandha has a wide range of health benefits and is often referred to as an adaptogen.