Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine. For hundreds of years, people have used the roots and orange-red fruits of ashwagandha for medicinal purposes. The herb is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. The name ‘ashwagandha’ describes the smell of its root and means ‘like a horse’. By definition, ashwa means horse. Practitioners use this herb as a general tonic to increase energy and reduce stress and anxiety. Some also claim that the herb may be beneficial against certain cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and anxiety.