Image – Wikimedia/Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Many plants are used in medicine. One of them is the Withania somniferaa bush native to the Asian continent, very popular especially in India, from where its ancient Sanskrit name was popularized ashawagandhawhich means “horse aroma” because it gives off a smell that is very reminiscent of that of these animals.
In addition, it is a plant that can be kept in a clay pot for exampleplaced on a piece of furniture that you have in the garden or on the terrace.
Where is he from ? Withania somnifera?
The Withania somnifera is an evergreen shrub native to India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It can also be found in southern Europe, specifically on the Mediterranean coast.
To be more exact, it lives in regions where there is little rain, and where the temperatures are very high in summer and where in winter there are no frosts or, if there are, they are very weak.
What are their characteristics ?
Image – Wikimedia/Vinayaraj
It is a shrubby plant that grows straight up to a height of one and a half meters.. The leaves are simple and entire, green, and measure about 5 centimeters long by 3 centimeters wide. These grow from thin branches, the thickness of which is about half a centimeter.
The flower is small and green, so it can go unnoticed; Instead, the fruit is a centimeter orange berry that is enveloped in the calyx.
Its scientific name is Withania somnifera. The term “sleep” refers to its sedative properties. But in popular parlance it is called bufera or Indian ginseng.
What uses does it have?
We can say that this plant has two uses:
- One is the ornamental: it is the one that can be grown without problem in pots or planters, as well as in the ground.
- and the other is the medicinal: and is also the best known. It is known that the root extract can be used to reduce anxiety and stress. In addition, it is used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
How is Indian ginseng cared for?
Image – Wikimedia/Salicyna
It is a plant that does not require much maintenance. But it will take some care, which are basic:
You can’t miss the light
Its very important. So that it grows as expected, we must put it in a place where there is natural light. Now, just because it needs to be in an area with lots of light doesn’t mean it needs to be in direct sunlight all day; indeed, it is preferable that it be in partial shade rather than in a sunny place.
Soil should have good drainage
It is a shrub that adapts well to life in different conditions, but it is demanding on one thing: the drainage of the land. In case their roots are flooded and remain so for several days, they will soon die.. But we can avoid this by planting it in well-drained soil, or in a pot that has holes that we will fill with universal substrate (on sale here).
Watering will be done sparingly.
This means that we will have to avoid both leaving the soil dry for several days and watering it every day. If you have to choose, it is better not to water than to overwater, because the Withania somnifera it recovers much better from drought than from waterlogging. But before that, it’s better to do something as simple as inserting a wooden stick at the bottom.
What good will it do us to do that? Good check soil moisture. This is a homemade and very simple (as well as reliable) method with which you will be able to know if the ground is wet -in which case the stick will come out wet and with soil attached-, or dry -which will then come out clean- .
Start fertilizing when spring sets in
Spring begins on March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, but in many places there can still be frost at this time. Therefore, we must wait for these to pass and for the temperatures to begin to rise. And it is that if it was paid for that day, for example, and on April 1 the mercury in the thermometer dropped below 0 degrees, the plant would suffer damage to the most recent leaves and stems , which are the ones she has developed since started getting paid. .
Next, if you live in an area where you know there are usually late frosts, don’t rush to fertilize. It is better to wait a bit than to risk losing it. Of course, once they pass, you can keep paying for it until the weather starts to cool down.
Use organic fertilizers
It is no longer just because it is a medicinal plant, but because organic fertilizers are environmentally friendly. So, for example, manure, earthworm humus or compost can be used if we usually do
Protect her from the cold
It is a plant that does not tolerate temperatures below 0 degrees. It can withstand a few light and occasional frosts down to -1°C, but it is best to protect it at home until the return of spring.
Have you heard of the Withania somnifera?