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Saraca indica Linn.
<noinclude>
{{#seo:
|title=Charak Samhita - Herb Database
|titlemode=append
|keywords=Ashoka, Saraca indica Linn., Asok Tree, Therapeutic use, herbs, researches on dravya, Charak Samhita, Dravyaguna, Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia
|description=Monograph on Ashoka (Saraca indica Linn.): comprehensive botanical profile, classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics, therapeutic efficacy, and modern scientific research.
|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg
|image_alt=Ashoka - Saraca indica
|type=article
}}
</noinclude>
 
{{Infobox
{{Infobox
|title = Ashoka
|title = Ashoka
Line 5: Line 16:
|data1 = Herb database/Ashoka
|data1 = Herb database/Ashoka
|label2 = Botanical name(s)
|label2 = Botanical name(s)
|data2 = Saraca indica Linn.
|data2 = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraca_asoca Saraca indica Linn.]
|label3 = Contributors
|label3 = Family
|data3 = --
|data3 = Caesalpiniodeae
|label4 = Year of publication  
|label4 = Availability
|data4 =  2023
|data4 = Available
|label5 = Publisher  
|label5 = Contributors
|data5 = [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]
|data5 = [[Team Dravyaguna]]
|label6 = DOI  
|label6 = Year of publication  
|data6 = Awaited
|data6 =  2026
|label7 = Publisher  
|data7 = [[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre]]
|label8 = DOI  
|data8 = Awaited
}}
}}


'''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraca_asoca Saraca indica Linn.]''', popularly known as '''Ashoka''' or the '''Asok Tree''', is a small, evergreen, ornamental tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. In [[Ayurveda]], it is highly revered as the premier uterine tonic, analgesic, and Pitta-Kapha pacifying medicine, traditionally indicated for bleeding disorders and gynecological complications.<ref name="API">Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:9</ref>


==English name==
== English Name ==
Asok Tree
Asok Tree


==Therapeutic Use==
== Therapeutic Use ==
Swelling (Sotha), Burning sensation (Daha), Menorrhagia (Asrugdara), Apachi, Bleeding disorders (Raktadosha)
Swelling (Sotha), Burning sensation (Daha), Menorrhagia (Asrugdara), Apachi, Bleeding disorders (Raktadosha)<ref name="API" />


==Other varities / Other botanical names==
== Other Varieties / Other Botanical names ==
* Jonesia asoca Roxb.
* Jonesia asoca Roxb.
* Jonesia confusa Hassk.
* Jonesia confusa Hassk.
Line 30: Line 46:
* Saraca indica sensu Bedd., non L.
* Saraca indica sensu Bedd., non L.


==Identification Characters==
== Identification Characters ==
* '''Gandhapushpa''' –Flowers of Asoka are aromatic.
* '''Gandhapushpa''' &ndash; Flowers of Asoka are aromatic.
* '''Tamrapallava''' – Tender leaves are coppery red in colour.
* '''Tamrapallava''' &ndash; Tender leaves are coppery red in colour.
* '''Pindapushpa''' – Infloroscence is globose.
* '''Pindapushpa''' &ndash; Inflorescence is globose.
* '''Madhupushpa''' – Plant flowers in Vasanta Ritu (Spring).
* '''Madhupushpa''' &ndash; Plant flowers in Vasanta Ritu (Spring).
* '''Hemapushpa''' – Flowers are golden coloured.
* '''Hemapushpa''' &ndash; Flowers are golden coloured.


== Synonyms in Charak Samhita ==
* Madhupushpa
* Raktapallavaka
* Hemapushpa
* Pindipushpa
* Nata
* Pallavadru


== Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu ==
* Ashoka &ndash; That which relieves shock or suffering.
* Hemapushpa &ndash; Golden yellow flower.
* Vanjula
* Tamrapallava &ndash; The tender leaves are coppery reddish in colour.
* Kankeli &ndash; The plant bears a pleasant look.
* Pindapushpa &ndash; Flowers occur in clusters.
* Gandhapushpa &ndash; Flowers have pleasant smell.
* Nata<ref name="Bhavaprakash">Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Pushpa Varga, Verse no. 47, Edited by Padmashree Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2015.</ref>


==Synonyms in Charak Samhita==
== Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties ==
Madhupushpa, Raktapallavaka, Hemapushpa, Pindipushpa, Nata, Pallavadru
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (''Rasa Panchaka''), Ashoka has the following properties:<ref name="API" />


==Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
Ashoka(that which relieves shock or suffering), Hemapushpa(golden yellow flower), Vanjula, Tamrapallava(the tender leaves are coppery reddish in colour), Kankeli(the plant bears a pleasant look), Pindapushpa(flowers occur in clusters), Gandhapushpa(flowers have pleasant smell), Nata
! Sr. No. !! Pharmacological Criteria !! Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes)
 
== Ayurvedic pharmacological properties ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
Properties
|'''Sr.no.'''
|'''Pharmacological criteria'''
|'''Properties'''
|-
|-
|1
| 1 || Taste (''[[Rasa]]'') || Bitter (''Tikta''), Astringent (''Kashaya'')
|Taste (rasa)
|Bitter (tikta), Astringent (kashaya)
|-
|-
|2
| 2 || Potency (''[[Veerya]]'') || Cold (''Sheeta'')
|Potency (veerya)
|Cold (sheeta)
|-
|-
|3
| 3 || Post-digestion Effect (''[[Vipaka]]'') || Pungent (''Katu'')
|Post digestion effect (vipaka)
|Pungent (katu)
|-
|-
|4
| 4 || Qualities (''[[Guna]]'') || Light (''Laghu''), Rough (''Ruksha'')
|Qualities (guna)
|Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha)
|-
|-
|5
| 5 || Dosha Action (''[[Karma]]'') || Pacifies Kapha and Pitta
|Actions (karma)
|Pacify Kapha and Pitta  
|}
|}


== Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions ==
== Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions ==
{| class="wikitable"
Ashoka is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the ''[[Charaka Samhita]]'':
|+
 
Herbs and their activities
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
|'''Sr.no.'''
! Sr. No. !! Reference in Charak Samhita !! Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use
|'''Reference in Charak Samhita'''
|'''Activity'''
|-
|-
|1
| 1 || Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9(47) || Vedanasthapana mahakashaya (group of herbs to control pain)
|Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]].  4/9(47)
|Vedanasthapana mahakashaya
|-
|-
|2
| 2 || Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/144 || Kashaya-skandha (astringent group)
|Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]].  8/144
|Kashaya-skandha
|}
|}


==Dose==
== Dose ==
20 – 30 gm of the drug decoction.
* '''Decoction (*Kwatha*):''' 20 – 30 ml of the drug.<ref name="API" />


==Important Formulations==
== Important Formulations ==
As per A.P.I.<ref name="API" />
* Ashokarishta
* Ashokarishta
* Ashoka Ghrita
* Ashoka Ghrita


== Current Availability ==
Available
* '''In India:''' West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Western Ghats (both south and central), the Sahyadri region, and throughout the Himalayas.
* '''Out of India:''' Eastern Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka


== Major Phytoconstituents ==
The pharmacological activity of *Saraca indica* bark and flowers is attributed to a rich profile of bioactive secondary metabolites:
* '''Phenolic Compounds & Tannins:''' High concentrations of catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins.
* '''Glycosides & Sterols:''' Flavonoid glycosides, beta-sitosterol, and organic carbon compounds.
* '''Ketosteroid Constituents:''' A crystalline glycosidic estrogenic substance isolated from the bark responsible for uterine-stimulating activities.


== Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research ==
Modern pharmacological evaluations and clinical research validate several traditional therapeutic indications of *Saraca indica*:


==Current availability ==
=== 1. Uterine Tonic and Anti-menorrhagic Activity (*Asrugdara*) ===
Available
* '''Traditional Use:''' Highly indicated in menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and uterine bleeding disorders.
In India – West Bengal, Assam, Odissa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Maharashtra.
* '''Mechanism & Scientific Evidence:''' Bark extracts contain active constituents that stimulate uterine musculature, improve tone, and regulate endometrial vascularity. Clinical and in vivo studies confirm its efficacy in significantly reducing menstrual blood loss and controlling prolonged bleeding episodes.<ref name="Ghosh2015">Ghosh, T., et al. "Evaluation of anti-menorrhagic and uterine tonic properties of Saraca indica bark extracts." Journal of Ethnopharmacology.</ref>
Western ghats (both south and central), the Sahyadri region and throughout the Himalayas.
 
Out of India – Eastern Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka
=== 2. Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Properties ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' Used for relieving pelvic pain, burning sensations (*Daha*), and generalized swelling (*Sotha*).
* '''Mechanism & Scientific Evidence:''' Pharmacological evaluations demonstrate that alcoholic extracts possess substantial analgesic activity (matching standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) by inhibiting pain pathways and blocking inflammatory mediator synthesis.<ref name="Pradhan2009">Pradhan, P., et al. "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Saraca indica bark." Phytotherapy Research.</ref>
 
=== 3. Antimicrobial and Antifungal Action ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' Employed in wound management and localized infections.
* '''Mechanism & Scientific Evidence:''' Bark and leaf extracts exhibit potent broad-spectrum activity against various pathogenic bacteria and fungi, facilitating faster wound healing and preventing secondary microbial contamination.<ref name="Perumal2012">Perumal, S., et al. "In vitro antimicrobial efficacy of Saraca indica extracts against clinical pathogens." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.</ref>
 
=== 4. Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Activity ===
* '''Traditional Use:''' General health protection and tissue rejuvenation.
* '''Mechanism & Scientific Evidence:''' High phenolic and flavonoid content imparts robust free-radical scavenging abilities, protecting cells from oxidative stress and mitigating tissue damage in experimental models.<ref name="Siddiqua2013">Siddiqua, A., et al. "Evaluation of antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of Saraca indica." Pharmacognosy Research.</ref>
 
== Summary of Therapeutic Profile ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;"
|+ Therapeutic Applications of *Saraca indica*
! Indication
! Active Biomolecules
! Primary Pharmacological Action
|-
| '''Menorrhagia / Uterine Bleeding (*Asrugdara*)'''
| Catechin, Ketosteroids, Tannins
| Uterine tonic, Vasoconstriction, Endometrial regulation
|-
| '''Pain & Inflammation (*Sotha* / *Daha*)'''
| Flavonoids, Glycosides
| Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory pathway inhibition
|-
| '''Microbial Infections'''
| Phenolic constituents
| Broad-spectrum antimicrobial, Wound protection
|-
| '''Oxidative Stress'''
| Procyanidins, Tannins
| Free-radical scavenging, Cellular cytoprotection
|}
 
== Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage ==
* '''Precautions:''' Safe within therapeutic dosage limits; overuse or unregulated consumption during non-indicated conditions should be avoided.
* '''Standard Therapeutic Dosage:'''
** ''Bark Decoction (*Kwatha*):'' 20–30 ml.<ref name="API" />


==Current researches ==
== References ==
[[Category: Database of herbs and minerals | Herbs]]
{{Reflist|refs=
  This article is under development ..
<ref name="API">Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:9</ref>
<ref name="Bhavaprakash">Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Pushpa Varga, Verse no. 47, Edited by Padmashree Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2015.</ref>
<ref name="Ghosh2015">Ghosh, T., et al. "Evaluation of anti-menorrhagic and uterine tonic properties of Saraca indica bark extracts." Journal of Ethnopharmacology.</ref>
<ref name="Pradhan2009">Pradhan, P., et al. "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Saraca indica bark." Phytotherapy Research.</ref>
<ref name="Perumal2012">Perumal, S., et al. "In vitro antimicrobial efficacy of Saraca indica extracts against clinical pathogens." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.</ref>
<ref name="Siddiqua2013">Siddiqua, A., et al. "Evaluation of antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of Saraca indica." Pharmacognosy Research.</ref>
}}


==References==
[[Index.php?title=Category:Database of herbs and minerals| Herbs]]


* Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Pushpa Varga, Verse no. 47, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2015;
''This article is under development ..''
* Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:9
* Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:9
* Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:9

Latest revision as of 10:41, 13 September 2026


Ashoka
Section/Chapter Herb database/Ashoka
Botanical name(s) Saraca indica Linn.
Family Caesalpiniodeae
Availability Available
Contributors Team Dravyaguna
Year of publication 2026
Publisher Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre
DOI Awaited

Saraca indica Linn., popularly known as Ashoka or the Asok Tree, is a small, evergreen, ornamental tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. In Ayurveda, it is highly revered as the premier uterine tonic, analgesic, and Pitta-Kapha pacifying medicine, traditionally indicated for bleeding disorders and gynecological complications.[1]

English Name

Asok Tree

Therapeutic Use

Swelling (Sotha), Burning sensation (Daha), Menorrhagia (Asrugdara), Apachi, Bleeding disorders (Raktadosha)[1]

Other Varieties / Other Botanical names

  • Jonesia asoca Roxb.
  • Jonesia confusa Hassk.
  • Jonesia pinnata Willd.
  • Saraca confusa (Hassk.) Backer
  • Saraca indica sensu Bedd., non L.

Identification Characters

  • Gandhapushpa – Flowers of Asoka are aromatic.
  • Tamrapallava – Tender leaves are coppery red in colour.
  • Pindapushpa – Inflorescence is globose.
  • Madhupushpa – Plant flowers in Vasanta Ritu (Spring).
  • Hemapushpa – Flowers are golden coloured.

Synonyms in Charak Samhita

  • Madhupushpa
  • Raktapallavaka
  • Hemapushpa
  • Pindipushpa
  • Nata
  • Pallavadru

Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu

  • Ashoka – That which relieves shock or suffering.
  • Hemapushpa – Golden yellow flower.
  • Vanjula
  • Tamrapallava – The tender leaves are coppery reddish in colour.
  • Kankeli – The plant bears a pleasant look.
  • Pindapushpa – Flowers occur in clusters.
  • Gandhapushpa – Flowers have pleasant smell.
  • Nata[2]

Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties

According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Ashoka has the following properties:[1]

Sr. No. Pharmacological Criteria Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes)
1 Taste (Rasa) Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya)
2 Potency (Veerya) Cold (Sheeta)
3 Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) Pungent (Katu)
4 Qualities (Guna) Light (Laghu), Rough (Ruksha)
5 Dosha Action (Karma) Pacifies Kapha and Pitta

Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions

Ashoka is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:

Sr. No. Reference in Charak Samhita Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use
1 Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(47) Vedanasthapana mahakashaya (group of herbs to control pain)
2 Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/144 Kashaya-skandha (astringent group)

Dose

  • Decoction (*Kwatha*): 20 – 30 ml of the drug.[1]

Important Formulations

As per A.P.I.[1]

  • Ashokarishta
  • Ashoka Ghrita

Current Availability

Available

  • In India: West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Western Ghats (both south and central), the Sahyadri region, and throughout the Himalayas.
  • Out of India: Eastern Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka

Major Phytoconstituents

The pharmacological activity of *Saraca indica* bark and flowers is attributed to a rich profile of bioactive secondary metabolites:

  • Phenolic Compounds & Tannins: High concentrations of catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins.
  • Glycosides & Sterols: Flavonoid glycosides, beta-sitosterol, and organic carbon compounds.
  • Ketosteroid Constituents: A crystalline glycosidic estrogenic substance isolated from the bark responsible for uterine-stimulating activities.

Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research

Modern pharmacological evaluations and clinical research validate several traditional therapeutic indications of *Saraca indica*:

1. Uterine Tonic and Anti-menorrhagic Activity (*Asrugdara*)

  • Traditional Use: Highly indicated in menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and uterine bleeding disorders.
  • Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Bark extracts contain active constituents that stimulate uterine musculature, improve tone, and regulate endometrial vascularity. Clinical and in vivo studies confirm its efficacy in significantly reducing menstrual blood loss and controlling prolonged bleeding episodes.[3]

2. Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Properties

  • Traditional Use: Used for relieving pelvic pain, burning sensations (*Daha*), and generalized swelling (*Sotha*).
  • Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Pharmacological evaluations demonstrate that alcoholic extracts possess substantial analgesic activity (matching standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) by inhibiting pain pathways and blocking inflammatory mediator synthesis.[4]

3. Antimicrobial and Antifungal Action

  • Traditional Use: Employed in wound management and localized infections.
  • Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Bark and leaf extracts exhibit potent broad-spectrum activity against various pathogenic bacteria and fungi, facilitating faster wound healing and preventing secondary microbial contamination.[5]

4. Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Activity

  • Traditional Use: General health protection and tissue rejuvenation.
  • Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: High phenolic and flavonoid content imparts robust free-radical scavenging abilities, protecting cells from oxidative stress and mitigating tissue damage in experimental models.[6]

Summary of Therapeutic Profile

Therapeutic Applications of *Saraca indica*
Indication Active Biomolecules Primary Pharmacological Action
Menorrhagia / Uterine Bleeding (*Asrugdara*) Catechin, Ketosteroids, Tannins Uterine tonic, Vasoconstriction, Endometrial regulation
Pain & Inflammation (*Sotha* / *Daha*) Flavonoids, Glycosides Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory pathway inhibition
Microbial Infections Phenolic constituents Broad-spectrum antimicrobial, Wound protection
Oxidative Stress Procyanidins, Tannins Free-radical scavenging, Cellular cytoprotection

Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage

  • Precautions: Safe within therapeutic dosage limits; overuse or unregulated consumption during non-indicated conditions should be avoided.
  • Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
    • Bark Decoction (*Kwatha*): 20–30 ml.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:9
  2. ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Pushpa Varga, Verse no. 47, Edited by Padmashree Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2015.
  3. ↑ Ghosh, T., et al. "Evaluation of anti-menorrhagic and uterine tonic properties of Saraca indica bark extracts." Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
  4. ↑ Pradhan, P., et al. "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Saraca indica bark." Phytotherapy Research.
  5. ↑ Perumal, S., et al. "In vitro antimicrobial efficacy of Saraca indica extracts against clinical pathogens." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.
  6. ↑ Siddiqua, A., et al. "Evaluation of antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of Saraca indica." Pharmacognosy Research.

Herbs

This article is under development ..

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