Dear Todd,
Firstly, all reasoning and primary studies should culminate in conclusive
studies to arrive at a definite results. Just suggestions have a very limited
value, when we deal in medicine. It is OK to discuss, but when you have to use
any substance as medicine, suggestive or priliminary observations don't hold
good. Nobody takes responsibility of such incidences.
Secondly, the adverse effect generated by Ashwagandha itself denotes it's
improper use, according to dictums of Ayurveda. Such worsening of patient
symptoms is due to improper application and usage of medicines/herbs based on
ametuer understanding or half-baked knowledge.
Thirdly, the group of disorders like ADD/HD, anxiety, restlessness, nervousness
and inattentiveness have their disease-base in Apaspara and Unmada, and not
Vata-vyadhi. Hence the line of thinking gets flawed. AND Ashwagandha is not the
primary medicine in Unmada and Apasmara group of diseases.
This should possibly give you a proper direction for application of Ayurveda and
Ashwagandha.

Dr.D.B.Muzumdar
M.D.Ayurveda-Medicine(Mumbai-India)
< dahpc@... >
_________________________________________________________________
Withania has a "sedative" property. It is only one small piece of
evidence among several pieces of supporting evidence I have
presented. In the interest of clearing up any misunderstanding, here
are my basic points:

1. In Ayurveda, there are a specific set of uses for Ashwagandha,
which relate to its taste, energy, actions and special properties.
2. Among this set are its uses as a treatment for epilepsy and insomnia.
<snip>