Ashwagandha (withania somnifera) is a herbal dietary supplement native to North Africa, India, and the Middle East. Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, or winter cherry,is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. The species name somnifera means "sleep-inducing" in Latin. Withania somnifera is a short shrub growing 35 to 75 centimeters tall, with small green flowers and a fruit that is orange-red. The Power of Ashwagandha Ashwagandha an all-natural adaptogen.