Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian Ginseng, is an adaptogen – i.e. helps the body adapt to stress and support normal metabolic functions.  It is thought to be very effective for anxiety, fatigue, brain-fog and stress-induced insomnia.

Growing to a height of 3 feet, it produces light green flowers from midsummer onwards which will develop into orange or deep red berries by autumn.

Although native to the drier, sub-tropic regions of India, Pakistan and parts of Africa, Ashwagandha is able to adapt to our cooler climate as an annual, enabling a root harvest after the first frost. If you want to keep the plant longer, pot it up again in the autumn around end of October and put it back in the greenhouse.