LUCKNOW, May 15 -- Scientists at CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) have discovered that most of the useful chemical, withanolides, in Ashwagandha, is packed into the thin outer layer of the root. Ashwagandha is commonly used in nutraceutical and herbal medicines to help with stress, sleep, and overall health.

They said that even though the outer layer makes up only a small part of the root, it stores nearly 75% - 80% of the plant's important medicinal compounds. The inner part of the root is larger, but it actually contained much smaller amounts of withanolides.

"The discovery could become important because Ashwagandha is now in huge demand around the world, especially after the pandemic. The findings may...