Botanical name – Saraca indica Linn.
Family - Caesalpinioideae
Hindi name - Ashoka
English name – Asoka tree , sorrowless tree
Sanskrit names – Ashoka , Hemapushpa, Tamrapallawa, Stripriya ,
Madhupushpa, Kankeli, Shokanash, Subhag. Smaracivas, Doshahari, Rama,
Pallavadru, Raktak .
Botanical Description - The ashoka tree is resembles mango tree. It grows
up to 10 mtrs. in height. Even its leaves are similar to those of mango tree (98
to 10 cms long). Its tender leaves are red coloured. Saraca Ashoka is
attractive flowers are arranged in a cluster, and when tender, they are yellow
coloured. They gain red colour as they mature. Its pods are flat and eight to
It contains five to six flattened seeds Flowering occurs in spring and it fruits
in winter.
Habitat - The tree is found in abundance in Bengal, South India and Burma.
It is also available in plenty at Kanakeshwar near Alibaug, Maharashtra. This
is khota (false) ashoka. Khota ashoka, known as Polyalthea longifolia is used
as an ornamental tree in gardening.
Chemical composition - The bark contains an active component,
haematoxylin. It also contains tannin and catechin in substantial amount and
ferrous compounds in a smaller quantity.
Therapeutic Properties-
Guna (qualities) – laghu(lightness), ruksha(dryness)
Rasa(Taste)- kashaya(astringent), tikta(Biteer)
Veerya- sheeta(cold)
Vipak - katu (taste conversion after digestion pungent)
Dosha - Kaphapittashamak, hence useful in disorders induced by kapha
and pitta.
Uses -
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 a tranquillizing effect on the nerves and therefore is
used in painful vata disorders.
Digestive system - Due to its astringent, anthelmintic and antidyspeptic
properties, it is useful in diarrhoea, dysentery, helminthiasis and dipsia.
Circulatory system - It has haemostatic, blood purifying and antioedematous
effects. Hence it is used in disseaes of the blood and oedema .Its flowers are
used in haemoptysis and internal bleeding.
Reproductive system - It strengthens the muscles of the uteres and reduces
uterine discharge and pain in the uterus and so it is useful in menorrhagia,
leucorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea. 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 disuria
and calculi. It prevents the formation of a calculus.
Temparature: It reduces the burning sensation frequently associated with
pyrexia.
Parts used - Bark, seeds and flowers
Dose - Bark (for decoction) 10-20 grms
seeds - 1-3 grms
powdered flowers - 1-3 grms
Formulations - Ashokarishta, Ashokaghrita. Ashokakshirpak
References –
अशोकः शीतलस्तिक्तो ग्रीही वर्ण्यः कषायकः ।
शोषापचीतृषादाहकृमिशोथविषास्त्रजित् ।। (भा.प्र.)
अशोकवल्कलक्वाथशृतं दुग्धं सुशीतलतम् ।
यथाबलं पिबेत्प्रातस्तीव्रासृग्दरनाशनम्।। (च.द.)
अशोकस्य त्वचा रक्तप्रदरस्य विनाशिनी । (शो.)
(Reference - Ayurvedic pharmacology & Therapeutic uses of Medicinal plants) for more information about health and ayurvedic ,stay connected with us
