Adhatoda vasica Nees.
Synonym [1] A. zeylanica Medic.
Justicia adhatoda Linn.
Family : Acanthaceae.
Habitat Throughout India, up to an
altitude of 13000 m.
English [1] Malabar Nut, Vasaca.
Ayurvedic Vaasaa, Vaasaka,
Vaasikaa, Simhaasya, Simhaparni,
Simhavadanaa, Vaajidanta, Vrisha,
Aataruushaka.
Unani [1] Arusaa.
Siddha/Tamil [1] Aadaathodai.
Folk [1] Vasaakaa.
Action [1] Expectorant (used in
bronchial, asthmatic and pulmonary
affections), antispasmodic,
febrifuge.
Key application [1] As bronchodilatory,
expectorant. (Indian Herbal
Pharmacopoeia.) The Ayurvedic
Pharmacopoeia of India indicates its
use in dyspnoea.
The chief quinazoline alkaloid vasicine
is reported in all parts of the
plant, the highest being in inflorescence.
It is a bitter bronchodilator, respiratory
stimulant, hypotensive, cardiac
depressant, uterotonic and abortifacient.
An aqueous solution of vasicinone
hydrochloride, when studied
in mice and dogs, was found to potentiate
the bronchodilatory activity
of aminophylline, also that of isoprenaline.
Vasicinone exhibited smoothmuscle-
relaxant properties of airways.
Alkaloids present in the plant
showed significant protection against
allergin-induced bronchial obstruction
in guinea pigs.
The leaves are found to activate the
digestive enzyme trypsin.
An extract of the leaves showed
significant antifungal activity against
ringworm.
Adhatoda beddomei C.B. Clarke,
found in Kerala, is considered to bemore powerful and active than A. vasica.
Fresh leaf juice is used in haemoptysis
and menorrhagia, also as an antiasthmatic.
Jacobinia tinctoria Henl. is equated
with the red-flowered var. of Vaasaa.
Dosage [1] Leaf50-100ml juice.
Dried leaves—5–10 g for deoction.
Root—2-5 g powder. (
