Also known as Winter Cherry - Indian Ginseng - Ajagandha - Kanaje
Bitter, warm, dry, sweet
TCM: Tonifies Yang, calms the Shen, calms the Liver, augments Essence, transforms Phlegm, and stops coughing

Belongs to the nightshade family - those with allergies or sensitivity to nightshades should not take it
Considered to be Rasayana = tonic for longevity and vitality/vigor
A calming adaptogen that regulates thyroid (stimulates the thyroid), testes, and adrenal glands, normalizes hormones and physiological functions

nourishing, building = relieves weakness and nervous exhaustion, emaciation, malnutrition, chronic fatigue
promotes healthy sleep cycles, insomnia
Grounding herb that regulates metabolic processes and stabilizes mood. Test have shown that extracts produce GABA-like activity = produces a calming effect, which makes sense as it is widely used for anxiety
Often paired with Shatavari (Ashwagandha = Yang tonic - Shatavari = Yin tonic synergistic together)
Used as an aphrodisiac, to build sexual energy and improve sperm count (mixed with ghee and honey), infertility
Rich in iron and used for anemia (mix powder w/ blackstrap molasses)
Back pain, joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis
Type II diabetes
Takes about a month to build up in our system - so its effects won’t likely be noticed right away

Per David Winston-

It has significant benefits for hyperimmune and hypoimmune function.
Used in India as part of protocols for cancer (suppresses tumors and prevents depletion of white blood cells

Per KP Khalsa -

chronic heart and vascular disorders, where it is often combined with the famous Terminalia arjuna (arjuna bark)

Per Michael and Lesley Tierra -

The leaves are used for hemorrhoids, wounds tumors, sores, rashes, and fever

Per Larken Bunce -

Ashwagandha can be uncomfortable for people that aren’t feeling safe or feel too uncomfortable to relax. Of course, we don’t want to force them or contribute to uncomfortable feelings. For these people, she suggests adding in other herbs like damiana or mugwort that have an uplift.
Pitta types = cranky get grumpy on ashwagandha - should give it to them right before bed vs. during the day.

Native to North America

Flowers open and release scent in the evenings and are pollinated by moths
Parts used: root, root bark, leaf, flower, seed, stem

Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic (muscle tension, spasms, etc), astringent, diuretic, sedative

Uses:

Native Americans used poultices for bruises and wounds, ingested for bowel pains, weight loss, and muscle strength
Whooping cough, asthma, hiccups, COPD
Gastrointestinal uses include IBS, IBD, colitis, poor digestion, vomiting, diverticulitis, chronic indigestion, chronic diarrhea
Blood or mucus in urine, bladder spasms, nervous bladder
Antidepressant - depression when toxins and waste have accumulated in the digestive tract

Sluggish Liver and Liver inflammation
Nervous exhaustion and anxiety
Seeds were recommended as a coffee substitute in wartime

Evening Primrose Seed Oil:

Yin tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Contains Gamma lipoic acid (GLA) -essential fatty acids that help balance hormones and fight inflammation and Linolenic acid - contains fatty acids, supports Heart health, improves insulin sensitivity and Blood pressure
Hypertension, anxiety, and fatigue
Women: PMS, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, sore breasts, fibrocystic breasts
Skin: Burns, atopic dermatitis (especially itching), psoriasis, eczema, and acne
Anti-cancer therapy - In studies, the oil has shown antiproliferative effects against breast, hepatic, prostate, and leukemia cancer cell lines
Benefits seen through clinical trials include diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, mastalgia, PMS, osteoporosis, and dementia. Mixed results in trials for atopic eczema and dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, diabetic lipid metabolism, and alcoholism.
Osteoporosis: Combined with fish oil a trial confirmed osteocalcin levels rose (a bone formation marker) and alkaline phosphatase levels dropped (indicates an increase in bone mineral density)

     ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6003444;ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116039;pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22414479;pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28555835;pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1185351; nccih.nih.gov/health/evening-primrose-oil; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116039/#:~:text=Evening%20primrose

Granica, S.;  ´nska, M.E.; Piwowarski, J.P.; Ziaja, M.; Kiss, A.K. Chemical composition, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity of extracts prepared from aerial parts of Oenothera biennis L. and Oenothera paradoxa Hudziok obtained after seeds cultivation. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2013, 61, 801–810

The Worst Weeds Are Your Best Medicine– The Common and Weedy Plant Materia Medica ©2005 Revised 2018 David Winston, RH (AHG)

Christopher Hobbs - Herbal prescriber database

Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy - Modern Herbal Medicine Simon Mills, Kerry Bone

Medical Herbalism - The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman

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The Way of Herbs - Michael Tierra
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The Admirable Secrets of Herbs, Roots & Barks - Matthew Wood