Ashoka

BOTANICAL NAME: Saraca asoca

FAMILY: Caesalpinaceae

 

CLASSICAL CLASSIFICATION:

Charaka: Kshaya Skanda, Vednasthapana

Sushruta: Rodhradi Gana

Bhavaprakash: Pushpa Varga

 

ENGLISH NAME: Ashoka

COMMON NAME: Ashok, Ashoca

Kannada: Ashokadamara, Ashokamara, Kankalimara

Punjabi: Asok

Hindi: Ashoka

Bengali: Ashoka

 

REFERENCE: BHAVAPRAKASH SAMHITA with link e Nighantu:

https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e-Nighantu/bhavaprakashanighantu/?mod=read

अशोक

अशोको हेमपुष्पश्च वञ्जुलस्ताम्रपल्लवः |

कङ्केलिपिण्डपुष्पश्च गन्धपुष्पो नटस्तथा ||३७||

अशोकः शीतलस्तिक्तो ग्राही वर्ण्यः कषायकः |

दोषापचीतृषादाहकृमिशोषविषास्रजित् ||३८||

HABITAT: Collected in spring from mature, wild or cultivated trees, found in Central and Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats and Deccan.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: Bark channeled, externally dark green to greenish grey, smooth with circular lenticels and transversely ridged, sometimes cracked, internally reddish-brown with fine longitudinal strands and fibers, fracture splintery exposing striated surface, a thin whitish continuous layer is seen beneath the cork layer, taste, astringent. Flowers in March – April and Fruits in August- September

MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Tannins and a crystalline glycoside.

THERAPEUTIC USES:

• Heavy periods: Decoction of 10gm of Ashoka is taken orally on empty stomach.
• Wound wash: Bark Kashaya is locally used for wound wash.
• Mouth ulcers: Ashoka flower and coconut pulp with coriander leaves, salt black pepper taken orally.
• Leucorrhoea: Ashoka bark, amalaki fruit, nagakesar stamen powder in equal amount prepared. 1-2gm powder taken with cup of rice washed water.

INDICATIONS:

Shotha inflammation, Daha burning sensation, Raktpradra excessive menstruation.

USEFUL PART: Bark, Flower, Seed

DOSAGE: 20-30 g of the drug for decoction.

AYURVEDIC FORMULATION:

1. Ashokarista
2. Ashokaghrita