The Reference of old Natural herbs are found in our Indian culture and literature which are written by our sages in old vedic period. Ashwagandha is such a multi purpose herb which we are using for various ailments over 4000 years. Ashwagandha is derived from two Sanskrit words, "Ashwa" means Horse and "Gandha" means Odour (from peculiar equine odour of this plant).

Botanical name - Withania somnifera

Family - Solanaceae

Genus - Withania

Species - somnifera

Vernacular names -

English - winter cherry

Hindi - Ashwagandha, Asgandh

Punjabi - Asgandh nagori

Useful part - Roots

Chemical Composition - It contains volatile oil, steroidal alkaloids and steroid lactones.Currently,35 withanolides

Ashwagandha is an herb with many uses. Following are its indications: -

?It is considered as most important adaptogens in ayurvedic system of medicine.

?It works in suppressing pains of any sort. It possess this property due to its ushan virya potency, which helps in eradicating vata that is the reason of initiation of pain in body.

?Good results have been seen in diseases like Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis), sandhi gata vata (Osteoarthritis), vatarakt (gout), gridhasi (sciatica) and other vata dominant diseases.

?Works as anti-inflammatory substance therefore helps in reducing swellings and restoring blood supply.

It works as powerful immune booster that helps in fighting any foreign invasion in the body.

?Its antioxidant properties helps in avoiding symptoms of early aging.

?A powerful aphrodisiac thereby helps in enhancing the sexual powers and long lasting endurance.

?It also helps in increasing sperm count and also the quality of sperms.

?It gives good results in leucorrhoea, as it possesses the properties that suppress kapha.

The term fertility means, "One's ability to produce a healthy offspring". Although the term fertility was mostly associated with women, it is no longer the case. This term is now applicable to men as well as women equally as both partners play an equal role in conception process.

There are number of factors causing male infertility or low sperm count, such as:-

Stress: Emotional stress and other psychological issues can lead to low sperm count.

Heat exposure: Hot baths, saunas, high work temperatures, tight clothing, even using laptops, and fever - all cause testicular overheating which leads to decrease in sperm count level.

Cycling: Bicycling can raise scrotal temperature causing genital numbness.

Alcohol: Alcohol lowers fertility.

Herbs for Fertility

Black Cohosh:

Black cohosh is a phytoestrogen and most promising herbal remedy to treat mood swings, hot flashes and vaginal dryness associated with menopause.

Ginseng:

Stimulates the immune system, fight against male impotence and improve male fertility. Measurable test results show that it can increase sexual desire, raise testosterone level, increase sperm count and sperm mobility also.

Pycnogenol:

Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the Maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France.

Damiana

Turnera diffusa or Damiana is a good nerve tonic which has decent restorative properties. Damiana can be used to treat specific conditions like mild depression and anxiety.

Scullcup

Scutellaria lateriflora or scullcup is a relaxing and gentle sedative for the body's central nervous system. It is very good for nervous tension and for nervous exhaustion plus neurological and neuromotor problems.