Ashoka Herb

Other Names of Ashoka

Latin Name: Saracaka Indica
English Name: Ashoka Tree
Ayurvedic Name: Ashoka

Useful Parts of the Plant

Flowers- Dried
Stem- Dried
Bark- Fresh and dried

The Ashoka tree belongs to the family of legumes and is a part of the subfamily Caesalpiniaceae. The Ashoka tree is a rainforest tree. It was originally found mainly in the central part of the Deccan plateau and in the middle part of the Western Ghats in western India. The Ashoka flowers from February to April. The flowers appear in lush and heavy bunches. The color of the flowers is bright orange-yellow and they turn red before wilting. This tree has an important role in Indian cultural traditions.

Nutritional Information and Properties of Ashoka Herb

The Ashoka tree's dried bark contains tannins, sterol, catechol, and other organic calcium compounds. The powered bark of the tree also contains Aluminum, strontium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, sodium, and silica. In order to maintain the medicinal values and physicochemical properties of the Ashoka herb, it is suggested that they be kept in air tight containers, protected from light, moisture, and contamination from microbes.

Health Benefits and Therapeutic Uses of Ashoka Herb:

The Ashoka tree has many health benefits and has long been used in traditional Indian medicine as a key ingredient in various therapies and cures. Let us take a look at some of the therapeutic uses of the Ashoka herb.

Gynecology: One of the uses of the Ashoka herb is in the treatment of menstrual disorders associated with excessive bleeding, congestion, and pain. You can make use of the benefits of the Ashoka herb when there is dysmenorrhoea, abdominal pain, and uterine spasms. The Ashoka herb benefits the endometrium and uterine muscles and this makes it effective as a uterine tonic for irregular menstrual cycles and miscarriage. It is also effectively used in Ayurveda for clearing congestion from the Medas Dhatus and Mamsa, especially when there may be leucorrhoea, endometriosis, cysts, and fibroids from excess kapha and ama in the Artava Srotas.
The Ashoka herb also has a nourishing effect on the circulatory system, thereby making it an effective remedy in arrhythmia and cardiac weakness.
The Ashoka herb also helps in encouraging urine flow and thus helps in treating conditions that cause painful urination.
Dysentery: An extract of the Ashoka flower can be used to effectively treat hemorrhagic dysentery. The extract is made by grinding the flowers along with some water. Doses of 15–60 drops can be taken.
Piles: For internal piles, the bark of the Ashoka tree can be used. To prepare the decoction, take around 90 grams of the bark and boil it in 360 ml of water and 30 ml of milk until the entire quantity reduces to around 90 grams. Two to three doses of this can be taken each day.
Pain: The specific analgesic properties present in Ashoka can used to calm the nerves when they have been aggravated by the Vata.
Complexion: The Ashoka herb is also said to improve the complexion of skin. This herb can be used to obtain relief from burning sensations on the skin. It also helps to get rid of the toxins from the body. The Ashoka herb is also effective in purifying the blood naturally and in preventing skin allergies.

Other Uses

The other Ashoka tree uses include treating the sting from a scorpion. The bark of the tree is used for scorpion sting treatment. Dried Ashoka flowers can be helpful in treating diabetes.

Precautions/ Side Effects/ Warnings

The Ashoka herb is considered to be completely safe and natural. However, it is essential that you stick to the proper doses. To maintain the effectiveness of the herb you should ensure that it is stored properly.