Talk:Vasa
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Vasa |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Adhatoda vasica Nees. |
| Family | Acanthaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Adhatoda vasica Nees. , popularly known as Vasa, is a well-known evergreen, sub-herbaceous bush native to India and Southeast Asia. It is widely revered in Ayurveda as the foremost expectorant and bronchodilatory drug of choice for managing respiratory ailments, cough, asthma, and bleeding disorders.
English name
Malabar nut[1]
Therapeutic Uses
Bronchial asthma (svasa), Jaundice (kamala), Cough (kasa), Tuberculosis (kshaya), Skin diseases (kustha), Diabetes mellitus (prameha), Intrinsic haemorrhage (raktapitta).[1]
Other Varieties / Other Botanical names
- Adeloda serrata Raf.
- Adhatoda pubescens Moench
- Adhatoda vasica Nees
- Adhatoda zeylanica Medik.
- Dianthera latifolia Salisb.
- Ecbolium adhatoda (L.) Kuntze
- Gendarussa adhadota (L.) Steud.
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional medicine, Vasa is classified as a vital drug for pacifying Pitta and Kapha doshas. Its bitter taste and cold potency make it exceptional for clearing respiratory obstructions, stopping internal bleeding, and alleviating inflammatory swellings.
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
Mentioned 2 types[2]
- Raktapushpa – Graptophyllum pictum Griff.
- Krushna – Justicia gendarussa Burm. f.
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Vrushaka, Vrushamula, Simhika, Atarushaka, Tamra, Aturasa, Simhasya (flowers resemble the mouth of a lion), Bhishakmata, Vrusha.
Additional Synonyms in Bhavprakasha Nighantu
Vaasaka, Vaasika, Vajidanta (flowers of vasa are white as teeth of a horse), Simhaparna.[3]
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Pitta |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 3/3 | Siddhatama churna pradeha (external application) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/31 | Dravya for Nadi Sweda (fomentation) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 27/96 | Shaka Varga (group of vegetables) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/143 | Tiktaskandha (group of bitter drugs) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 1/1/64 | In formulation of Chyavanaprasha |
| 6 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/222 | As an ingredient of Vasadi Ghrita |
| 7 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/247 | Used in niruha basti (enema) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/258 | As an ingredient of Chandanadhya taila |
| 9 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 4/65 | As an ingredient of Atarushakadi kwatha |
| 10 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 4/88 | As an ingredient of Vasaghrita |
| 11 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 5/126 | Ingredient in Vasa Ghrita for Pittaj Gulma |
| 12 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 8/105 | Ghrita preparation in treatment of Daha (burning sensation) |
| 13 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/67 | As a Snana dravya for bahyaprayogartha |
| 14 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/72 | As an Unmardan dravya in Kaphaj Shvayathu |
| 15 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/44 | Used in avasechana in arsha roga (hemorrhoids) |
| 16 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/153 | As an ingredient of dvitiya phalarista |
| 17 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/214 | Used for parisechana in rakta arsha |
| 18 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/125 | As an ingredient of candanadhya ghrita |
| 19 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 23/243 | As an ingredient of Amruta ghrita |
| 20 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/52 | Used in Sarva mutrakruchhra |
| 21 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/60 | As an ingredient of Pashanbhedadi churna |
| 22 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/69 | As an ingredient of Karpasmooladi yoga |
| 23 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/239 | Used in Kaphaja netra roga for Aaschotana karma |
| 24 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/170 | As an ingredient of Vrushamuladi taila |
| 25 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 29/152 | As an ingredient of Triphaladi kalka in tridoshaja shola |
Dose
- Swarasa (Juice): 10–20 ml
- Kwatha (Decoction): 10–20 ml[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Vasakavaleha
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam.
- Out of India: Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania.
Phytochemical Composition
The therapeutic potential of *Adhatoda vasica* is derived from its diverse active secondary metabolites:
- Quinazoline Alkaloids: Vasicine, vasicinone, and adhatodine.
- Essential Oils and Phenolics: Active principles responsible for smooth muscle relaxation and antimicrobial effects.
- Flavonoids and Tannins: Kaempferol, quercetin, and abundant polyphenols.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Bronchodilatory and Expectorant Actions
- Mechanism: Vasicine and related alkaloids act as potent bronchodilators by relaxing the bronchial smooth muscles and liquefying thick respiratory mucus, facilitating easy expectoration.
- Scientific Evidence: Clinical and pre-clinical evaluations demonstrate significant relief in bronchospasm, cough frequency, and asthmatic symptoms.[4]
Anti-Bleeding and Hemostatic Efficacy
- Mechanism: It helps manage internal hemorrhages (*raktapitta*) by promoting capillary integrity and supporting coagulation parameters through its astringent and cold potency properties.
- Scientific Evidence: Experimental studies confirm its utility in reducing bleeding time and mitigating inflammatory hemorrhagic conditions.[5]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Precautions: Due to its uterotonic properties (vasicine can stimulate uterine contractions), high doses should be avoided during pregnancy unless prescribed by a qualified specialist.
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Bronchial Asthma & Cough | Vasicine, Vasicinone | Bronchodilator, Expectorant |
| Intrinsic Haemorrhage (Raktapitta) | Tannins, Quinazoline alkaloids | Hemostatic, Astringent |
| Respiratory Infections | Essential oils, Flavonoids | Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:76.
- ↑ Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavprakasha Nighantu, Reprint 2015, Chaukhambha Vishvabharti, Guduchyadi Varga, verse no. 88-89, p. 306.
- ↑ Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavprakasha Nighantu, Reprint 2015, Chaukhambha Vishvabharti, Guduchyadi Varga, verse no. 88-89, p. 308-309.
- ↑ Amin, A. H.; Mehta, D. R. (1959). "Vasicine, the alkaloid of Adhatoda vasica; its isolation, properties and tentative structure". Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 48 (5): 243–247.
- ↑ Dhuley, J. N. (1999). "antitussive and anti-inflammatory activity of Adhatoda vasica extracts in animals". Journal of Ethnopharmadology. 67 (3): 361–365.