Context

• India and U.K. to conduct clinical trials of ‘Ashwagandha’ for promoting recovery from COVID-19
• This is the first time the Ministry of Ayush has collaborated with a foreign institution to investigate Ashwagandha’s efficacy.

‘Indian winter cherry’

• ‘Ashwagandha’ (Withania somnifera), is commonly known as ‘Indian winter cherry’.
• It is a traditional Indian herb that boosts energy, reduces stress and makes the immune system stronger.
• It is an easily accessible, over-the-counter nutritional supplement in the U.K. and has a proven safety profile.
• Withania somnifera is cultivated in many of the drier regions of India. It is also found in Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, and Yemen.
• somnifera has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-uk-to-conduct-clinical-trials-of-ashwagandha-for-promoting-recovery-from-covid-19/article35662451.ece

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