| Botanical Name: Adhatoda vasica, Adhatoda zeylanica, | | | | In addition, the fruit of Adhatoda vasica's |
| Justicia adhatoda | | | | expectorant properties are valued for treating |
| Other Common Names of Adhatoda: Adathodai, | | | | asthma, fever, coughs, vomiting and chronic |
| Adusoge, Vasaka, Adalodakam, Malabar Nut, Arusa | | | | bronchitis. The leaves are dried and smoked for |
| Adulsa, Bakash, Addasaramu. | | | | asthma relief. |
| Habitat: India. | | | | In pharmacology, this herb provides two valuable |
| Description: Called Simha Mukhi in Sanskrit because | | | | alkaloids, vasicine and vasicinone, produced by the |
| the shape of its flowers resembles a lion's head, | | | | oxidation process of vasicine has been found to be a |
| Adhatoda vasica is found growing in abundance in | | | | more potent broncho-dilator, in addition to decreasing |
| plain areas. The bitter taste of this herb is source of | | | | sensitivity to airborne irritants. |
| its name, a goat (Adu) will not eat it (Thoda/not | | | | Rich in vitamin C, carotene and the leaves also yield |
| touch). There are distinct differences in male (Nar) | | | | an essential oil and Adhatodic acid, an organic acid. |
| and female (Mada) varieties of this plant, it can be | | | | The juice of the leaves and root are used to relieve |
| found as either a tree with spines (male) or a small | | | | symptoms of pyorrhea and bleeding gums and cure |
| bush with spineless leaves (female). In maturity, this | | | | glandular tumor, diarrhea and dysentery. The leaves |
| herb has dark green leaves with yellow undersides 10 | | | | are also powdered and used a poultice for dressing |
| to 16 cm in length. The fruit which holds the most | | | | wounds, relief of rheumatism and as an alterative in |
| potency of the herb is a small capsule usually with | | | | cases of neuralgia, epilepsy, hysteria and mental |
| four seeds. The pendulant flowers of this herb are | | | | imbalance. |
| found in white, red and black, with the white | | | | Expectorant action is due to the volatile oil content |
| flowered variety the most commonly found. Typically | | | | and the bronchodilator activity of vasicine is used in |
| found throughout India, and particularly in the | | | | conjunction with atropine. Vasicine is also the reason |
| Himalayan mountain area, it flourishes at altitudes up | | | | for its use in stimulating the contraction of uterine |
| to 1.000 meters above sea level. | | | | muscles to accelerate or induce labor. |
| Plant Parts Used: Leaves, roots, fruit, stem bark and | | | | The leaves are boiled and combined with honey, |
| flowers. | | | | ginger and black pepper (piper nigrum) to treat |
| Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Adhatoda | | | | coughs and respiratory ailments. A decoction of the |
| In Ayurveda this herb is called Vasa and traditionally | | | | herb is used to expel intestinal parasites and wasting |
| only the female (Mada) variety of Adhatoda vasica | | | | of the body (phthisis). |
| were used, with preference for potency to Mada | | | | Fresh flowers of this plant are used to treat eye |
| plants with red flowers, which are almost as rare as | | | | conditions such as opthalmia. The leaf has also shown |
| those with black flowers. It is the white flowered | | | | significant protective qualities in conditions leading to |
| Mada variety of Adhatoda vasica that is most | | | | liver damage. |
| commonly used in medicinal preparations. | | | | Potential Side Effects of Adhatoda Vasica |
| Adhatoda vasica is an herb that has unique properties | | | | The use of the leaf extract, is considered safe. |
| which support the entire respiratory system, and its | | | | However, the uterine tonic and abortifacient activity |
| bronchial function. The leaves, flowers and root of | | | | prevents its use during pregnancy, except during |
| this herb have been used in traditional Ayurvedic | | | | childbirth. Due to the potency of this herb it should |
| medicine for the treatment of chest congestion and | | | | be taken under medical supervision. |
| inflammation. In addition to mucolytic action, | | | | Therapeutic Dosages of Adhatoda Vasica |
| benzylamines, a potent alkaline that is derived from | | | | As a decoction, 1-3 grams of dried leaves. Liquid |
| Adhatoda vasica inhibit the effects of Mycobacterium | | | | extract; 20 to 60 minims. The freshly expressed |
| tuberculosis. | | | | juice; 1 to 4 fluid drams. Tincture; 1/2 to 1 fluid dram. |