Talk: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
| 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
- ↑ 1.0 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
- ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Pushpa Varga, Verse no. 47, Edited by Padmashree Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2015.
- ↑ Ghosh, T., et al. "Evaluation of anti-menorrhagic and uterine tonic properties of Saraca indica bark extracts." Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
- ↑ Pradhan, P., et al. "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Saraca indica bark." Phytotherapy Research.
- ↑ Perumal, S., et al. "In vitro antimicrobial efficacy of Saraca indica extracts against clinical pathogens." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.
- ↑ Siddiqua, A., et al. "Evaluation of antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of Saraca indica." Pharmacognosy Research.
This article is under development ..