Ashoka
- uterine tonic |
- menorrhoea |
- menopause |
- fibroids |
- leucorrhoea |
- dysmenorrhoea |
- diseases of the uterus |
- Fabaceae |
- Saraca indica |
- Ashoka |
- Mutravaha |
- Purishavaha |
- Raktavaha |
- Rasavaha
_flowers_in_Kolkata_W_IMG_4146.jpg "The Ashoka is a rain-forest tree. Its original distribution was in the central areas of the Deccan plateau, as well as the middle section of the Western Ghats in the western coastal zone of the Indian Subcontinent.")
Saraca indica (Fabaceae)
Sanskrit Names: Aśoka
English Name: Sorrowless tree
Hindu Name: Ashoka
Tamil: Ashogam
Botanical Name: Saraca indica
Synonyms: Kankeli, Mandhu pusha, Rakta pallava, Vanjulah, Hema puspa, Gatasoka
Family: Fabaceae
Description
_leaves_%26_flowers_in_Kolkata_W_IMG_4175.jpg "The Ashoka tree.")
The Ashoka is a rain-forest tree. Its original distribution was in the central areas of the Deccan plateau, as well as the middle section of the Western Ghats in the western coastal zone of the Indian Subcontinent.
The Ashoka is prized for its beautiful foliage and fragrant flowers. It is a very handsome, small, erect evergreen tree, with deep green leaves growing in dense clusters. Its flowering season is around February to April. The Ashoka flowers come in heavy, lush bunches. They are bright orange-yellow in color, turning red before wilting.
As a wild tree, the Ashoka is a vulnerable species. It is becoming rarer in its natural habitat, but isolated wild Ashoka trees are still to be found in the foothills of central and eastern Himalayas, in scattered locations of the northern plains of India as well as on the west coast of the Subcontinent near Mumbai.
There are a few varieties of the Ashoka tree. One variety is larger and highly spreading. The columnar varieties are common in cultivation.
Principle Constituents
Classical Categories (Gana)
This herb belongs to the following classical groups:
Energetics
Chemical Constituents
Phytosterols β-sitosterol
Tannins
Falvinoids Quercetin, kaempferol
Ayurveda Actions
Important Actions
Rakta Pradara, Shweata Pradara, Recurrent abortions, Atisara, Pravahika, Krumiroga, Trushna, Daha, Shrama, Shoitha Rakta, Vikara, Vrana, Mutrakrichram Ashmari, Udara, Gulma, Admara (gas sound) Vedana Sthapana
Indications
Plant is astringent, is used as an uterine tonic and frequently used in menorrhoea and all types of women's disorders. (Decoction given for disorders from Menarche to menopause, fresh decoction given daily till bleeding stops or begins depending on disorder). Useful in treatment of Fibroids. Good for Asthi Dhātu during menopause for Osteoporosis.
External use
The bark has analgesic and antidotal properties. Hence its paste is used in pains and poisoning for local applications.
Internal use
Circulatory system: Has haemostatic, blood purifying and antiodaematous effects, hence used in diseases of the blood and oedema. Flowers used in haemoptysis and internal bleeding.
Digestive system: Due to astringent, antithelmintic and anti-dyspeptic properties useful in diarrhoea, dysentery, helminthiasis and dipsia.
Nervous System: As a tranquillising effect on the nerves and therefore is used in painful vata disorders.
Reproductive system: Strengthens the muscles of the uterus and reduces uterine discharge and pain in the uterus and so useful in menorrhagia, leucorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea. Decoction of the bark acts as a tonic for the endometrium of the uterus, useful in many diseases of the uterus.
Urinary system: By virtue of its diuretic property, useful in disuria and calculi. Prevents the formation of a calculus.
Temperature: Reduces burning sensation frequently associated with pyrexia.
Precautions
Causes constipation
Safety
No known drug/herb interactions.
Parts Used
Parts used: Seeds, flowers, bark
Dosage:Bark (for decoction 10-20 grms; seeds 1-3 grms; powdered flowers 1-3 grms.
Important Combinations
Preparations: Ashokarista, Asokaghrita, Ashokakshirpak (milk to barfi).
Research
