Ashoka (Saraca indica)
Family: Leguminosae
English Name: Ashoka
Synonyms: Ashoka (grief destroyer), Hemapushpa (golden flowers)
Ganas (Charaka): Vedanasthapana
Plant Description
- Evergreen tree, 8–10 meters tall
- Leaves resemble mango leaves
- Elongated flowers grow in dense clusters
Composition
Bark contains:
- Hematylene, tannins, glycosides, sterols, aliphatic alcohols, calcium, iron compounds
Ayurvedic Properties
- Rasa (Taste): Kashaya (astringent), Tikta (bitter)
- Guna (Qualities): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
- Veerya (Potency): Sheeta (cool)
- Vipaka (Post-Digestive Effect): Katu (pungent)
Dosha Effects:
- Pacifies Kapha and Pitta
Parts Used
- Roots, flowers, seeds
Recommended Dose:
- Bark powder: 1–3 g
- Decoction: 20–30 ml
Therapeutic Benefits
- Reproductive Health: Useful in menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and postpartum hemorrhage; stimulates uterine contractions without strong tonic effects like ergot or pituitary extracts
- Cardiovascular Health: Bark extract has cardiotonic action in experimental models
- Digestive Health: Helps with colic, flatulence, worm infestations
- Metabolic & Other Benefits: Reduces burning sensations, thirst, dysuria; promotes healthy complexion
Scientific Studies
- Uterotonic Effects: Ashoka stimulates the uterus, producing frequent and prolonged contractions without tonic effects; mediated possibly through the sympathetic nervous system (Gosh B.N.)
- Oxytocic Activity: Alcoholic extracts effective in rats, guinea pigs, dogs, and humans
- Cardiotonic Activity: Extract shows supportive effects on the heart in frogs and dogs
Reference Sloka (Dhanwantari Nighantu)
“Ashokaha Sheetala Tikto Grahi Varnyaha Kashayaha / Doshaapachi Trushna Daaha Krumi Sosha Vishasrajith”
Translation: Ashoka is cooling, bitter, astringent, and digestive; it pacifies dosha imbalances, alleviates thirst, burning, worm infestations, and dryness, while promoting uterine and heart health and improving complexion.
