Adhatoda vasica Medicinal uses, Morphology, Images,Side effects, Pharmacology

Botanical Name: Adhatoda vasica Nees.

Family: Acanthaceae

 Introduction:

   This drug used for the agraya oushada of Rakta pita. It also show action in respiratory system treatment for Ksaya and Kãsa

Names in different Indian languages

Synonyms

Vaasaa, Vaasaka, Vaasikaa, Simhaasya, Simhaparni, Simhavadanaa, Vaajidanta, Vrisha, Aataruushaka.

 Adhatoda zeylanica Medic.

Justicia adhatoda Linn

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata

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

1. Ailanthus excelsa -[AD]
2. A. beddomi

3.Justacia gendarussa  -[CV]

4. Justicia picta -[CV]

Morphology

A dense glabrous  shrub up to 0.5 to 1 m.

Leaves— alternate,simple,opposite, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate.

Flowers—white, in dense spikes, white; bracts ovate or obovate; calyx deeply five-lobed; stamens glabrous.

Fruits— four seeded capsules with a solid base.

Seeds— glabrous.

Flowering and fruiting between.February-May.

Distribution & Habitat

Found throughout India.

Chemical constituents:

 aminophylline, isoprenaline,Vasicinone, Vasicine (peganine), vasicinine, beta-sitosterol, Kaempferol, beta- sophoroside, luteolin, tritriaecontane, adhatodic acid, Carotene, vasakin, vasicinol 1 q-hydroxyvasicine, vasicinone, vit-C, vasicol, vasicinol, vasicinolone, adhatodine, adhavasinone, anisotine, vasicolone, vasicolinone

Properties:

Rasa Tikta, Kasäya

Guna Laghu, Ruksa

Virya sita

Vipaka Katu

Karma Kapha-pittahara, Hrdya, Svarya

expectorant diuretic, antispasmodic, depurative, it is useful in bleeding diarrhoea, cough, asthma.

Srotogamitva:

 Dosha :

 Dhatu :

 Mala :

Organ :

 Indication:

sväsa, Kasa; Jvara; Chardi, Prameha, Kustha, Ksaya, Pãndu, Raktapitta

Part Used— Leaf, root, flower

Dosage— Leaf juice 10-20 ml; root decoction 50-100 ml; flower juice 10-20 ml

External uses

 Paste is anti inflammatory , antibacterial & analgesic

Internal use

Nervous system

Vaso dilation , stimulates vagus nerve and lowers B.P.

Digestive system 

Anti diarrhoeal

Circulatory system

Useful in bleeding disorder, vasodialator , blood purifier

Respiratory system

Expectorant useful in asthma

Urinary system

Diuretic

Temperature

Used in fever

 
Important Yogas or Formations

Vãsãkantakãri lehya, Vasavalehya, Vãsärista Vasaghrta, Vãsãdya grhta, Vãsãmüladi taila.

Therapeutic Uses:

(1) Rasãyana— oil prepared with root decoction of Vasã will be useful (S.S.Ci. 28).

(2) Raktapitta— Powder of Vãsa flowers (shade dried) should be given with honey (S.B.M.).

(3) Sthoulya— Vãsã leaf juice is mixed either with Sankha cürna or leaf juice of Bilva will be useful (B.P. & V.M.).

Descriptions on  Ayurveda books / Nighandu:

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