Ashwagandha is one of the most commonly used herbs in Ayurvedic tradition. The root powder is ground from the taproot of the Withania somnifera plant. In Sanskrit, the word ashwagandha means “smells of horse,” a reference to the musty scent of the herb’s roots as well as the strength and stamina of a horse.

Western herbalists consider ashwagandha an adaptogen that generally boosts immunity and helps a body respond to stress. Ashwagandha has calming properties — the plant’s Latin species name means “sleep-inducing” — and is prescribed by herbalists for a myriad of conditions from focus and memory to anxiety, inflammation and tumors. The herb is also considered an aphrodisiac.

Ashwagandha root powder is often taken as a capsule or tea, and in Indian tradition, is infused with ghee.