Saraca asoca (Roxb.) DeWilde.

 Synonym _  Saraca indica auct. non L.

 Family _ Caesalpiniaceae.

Introduction:

We can see a clear description from Atharva veda parisita. This plant is known as friend of female also a good uterine tonic.

Names in different Indian languages

Synonyms

Kañkeli, Madhu puspa, Rakta pallava, Vanjulah, Hema puspa, Gatasoka , Ashoka, Ashoku, Hempushpa, Taamrapallava, Pindapushpa, Gandhapushpa

 Saraca indica auct. non L

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata

Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants) 

1. It is being adulterated with the barks Polyalthia longifolia , Shorea robusta ,Bauhinia variegate

Cynometra travancorica – AD

Cynometra beddomei  - AD

Substitute

Kingiodendron pinnatum

Morphology

It is a small ever green tree with drooping glabrous branches, 8-10 m. in height.

Bark- with warty surface, dark-brown to grey or almost  black

Leaves pinnate, 10-20 cm. long; leaflets 2-3 pairs, rigidly subcoriaceous, oblong or oblong-lanceolate.

Flowers- in dense axillary corymbs, fragrant, orange or orange-yellow, finally turning vermillion-red.

Fruits- pods, flat, oblong, woody, about 8 x 20 cm.

seeds- 4-8, ellipsoid oblong, compressed (Flowers in March-April and fruits in August-  September).

Distribution & Habitat

All over India, abundant in South India. The tree is found in abundance in Bengal and Burma. Cultivated about 700 m. above height

Chemical constituents:

 Apigenin,O-beta- D-glucoside, cyaniding,diglucoside, kaempferol , pelargonidin- ,diglucoside, quercetin, epicatechol, leucocyanidin, leucopelargonidin, procyanidin, derivatives, methyl-and ethylcholesterol, rhamnoside, amyrin, ceryl alcohol and beta-sitosterol

Properties:

Rasa -Kasaya, Tikta

Guna -Laghu, Rüksa

Virya -Sita

Vipãka –Katu

Karma - Pittahara, Hrdya, Varnya, Grãhi,

uterine tonic, constipating, blood purifier

Srotogamitva:

 Dosha : Rapha, pittä kshayakarak.

Dhatus : Rakta (haemostasis), meda, rasayana.

Mala : Purisha ( astringent), diuretic.

Organ : Uterus Ashoka is ‘specifically used for rakta-pradara is called a friend of women

Ayurvedic _ Ashoka, Ashoku, Hempushpa, Taamrapallava, Pindapushpa, Gandhapushpa.

(Polyalthia longifolia Benth. & Hook. f., an ornamental roadside tree, is wrongly called Ashoka.)

Action _ Bark—uterine tonic (imparts healthy tone to uterus), used

for suppressedmenses, leucorrhoea, menstrual pain, menorrhagia, complaints of menopause. Also used for dyspepsia, biliousness, colic, burning sensation.

Flowers—poundedand mixed with water, used in haemorrhagic dysentery, bleeding piles and retention of urine.

    The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the bark in metrohhagia, menorrhagia, chronic lymphadenitis and inflammations. The flowers contain fatty acids and gallic acid;

Indication:

gulma, udavartha,  Apaci, Trisnã, Dãha, Krimi, Visaroga, Hrdroga, Rakta Pradara, Mutraghata, Asmari

fever, burning sensation, visceromegaly, colic, leucorrhoea, piles, menorrhagia

Part used:

  Stem bark, seeds, root

Dosage: 

Leaf juice 10-15 ml

Powder 2-4 g

Decoction 50-100 ml

External uses : The bark has analgesic and antidotal properties. Hence its paste is used in pains and poisoning for local application.

Internal uses

Nervous system : It has effect on the nerves and therefore is used in painful vata disorders.

Digestive system : Due to its astringent. anthetmintic and antidyspeptic prospective & it is useful in diarrhoea, dysentery, helminthiasis

Circulatory system It has haemostatic. blood purifying and antioedematous effects Hence 1t is used in diseases of the blood and oedema, its lowers are used in internal bleeding.

Reproductive system : It strengthens the muscles of the uterus and reduces uterine discharge and pain in the uterus and so it is useful in rnenorrhagia. leucorrheoa and dysrnenorrheoa Since the decoction of the bark acts as a tonic for the endometrium  of the uterus, it is useful in many diseases of the uterus. 

Urinary system : By virtue of its diuretic property, it is useful in dysuria and calculi, It prevents the formation of a calculus.

Temperature : It reduces the burning sensation frequently associated with pyrexia.

Important Yogas  or  Formations:

    Asokaghrtam, Ashokarishta.          

Therapeutic Uses:

(1) Rakta Pradara- Cold milk boiled with the decoction of Asoka bark is useful (V.M.).

(2) Asmari-Seed powder of Asoka is administered with water (C.D.)

Descriptions on  Ayurveda books / Nighandu:

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