What is Ashwagandha? Withania somnifera or ashwagandha has many names. Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, and iciness cherry are some of the famous names. In addition, it is categorised as a Rasayana (tonic) to increase longevity and vitality. It is a plant from the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Several species within the genus Withania are morphologically similar. Somnifera is a Latin word that means sleep-inducing. Ashwagandha finds its mention in historical medical journalling and is famous for its therapeutic qualities. ‘Ashwa’ means horse,
Quinoa is a superfood that gets more popular every day. The main reason for this is the fact that this seed offers a great number of health benefits. Quinoa is often mistaken for a grain and can be used as a substitute for rice. However, it is in fact the seed of a plant that is distantly related to beet and spinach. The plant is native to Peru, though nowadays quinoa is cultivated in many other countries. Organic quinoa benefits are numerous and varied.
As the name suggests, it is another form of wheat, just that it is black in color. It gets its color from the presence of a naturally occurring antioxidant called Anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are the pigments that give the color red, purple, and blue to plant-like berries, jamuns, etc. They are the pharmaceutical ingredients that are antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and prevent cardiovascular diseases. One hundred grams of regular wheat contains about 5ppm of Anthocyanins, whereas Black Wheat grain has 140ppm.