Ashoka Tree - Ayurvedic remedies, health benefits, application, chemical constituents, side effects and many more

 Ashoka 

Ashoka (Saraca asoca) is a perennial, evergreen tree valued for its ornamental flowers and medicinal values. Ashoka is one of the most legendary and sacred trees of India which has been utilized from ancient times till date. The Word Ashoka; Shoka means grief. Ashoka means one that relieves pain and grief of women. Ashoka tree, universally known by its binomial Latin name Saraca asoca (Roxb.) or Saraca indica belonging to the Caesalpiniaceae family, is found throughout India, especially in Kerala, West Bengal, regions of southern India and in the Himalayas up to an altitude of 750 m.

Asoka or Ashoka is the Sanskrit word that means “Without sorrow.” Ashoka is specially sacred to the Hindu god of Love, Kamadeva, for whom it is worshipped every year on December 27; it is mentioned in Hindu history that the Indian philosopher and founder of Buddhism, Gautama Siddhartha was said to have been born under this tree. It is very popular in India and it is native to India.

Ashoka belonging to family Fabaceae is one of the most legendary and sacred tree of India. It is commonly called as Ashoka, Sita ashoka, Karkeli (Sanskrit), Sita ashok, Ashoka (Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi), Asogam (Tamil), Oshok (Bengali), Ashokmu, Vanjulamu (Telugu), Asokam (Malayalam), Alshth, Achenge, Kenkalimara, Ashokadamara (Kannada).

Chemical constituents

The bark contains tannin, catechol, flavanoides, sterol, glucosides, alkaloids, other organic calcium compounds.

The bark of plant contain epicatechin, procyanidin p2, 11’-deoxyprocyanidin B, catechin, 24methyl-cholesta-5-en-3p-ol,24-ethycholesta-5, 22-dien-33-ol, leucopelargonidin-3-O-p-Dglucoside, leucopelargonidin and leucocyanidin. 

The flower part of plant contain Oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids,P-sitosterol, quercetin, kaempferol-3-0-P-D-glucoside,quercetin-3-0-P-D-glucoside, apigenin-7-0-p-D-glucoside,pelargonidin-3,5diglucoside, cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside,palmitic, stearic, linolenic, linoleic, p and y sitosterols,leucocyanidin and gallic acid. 

Seed and Pod contains oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids, catechol, (-) epicatecholand leucocyanidin. Five lignan glycosides, lyoniside,nudiposide, 5-methoxy-9-β-xylopyranosyl-(−)-isolariciresinol,icariside E3, and schizandriside, and three flavonoids, (−)-epicatechin, epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin andprocyanidin B2, together with β-sitosterol glucoside, wereisolated from dried bark [ 

Properties and Benefits 

• Guna(Qualities) – Laghu (Light to digest), Rooksha (Dryness)
• Rasa(Taste) – Kashaya (Astringent), Tikta – Bitter
• Taste conversion after digestion – Katu (Pungent)
• Veerya(potency) – Sheetala(Cold)
• Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Pitta Dosha

Discription

• Hemapushpa – flowers of golden colour
• Tamrapallava – tender leaves have coppery red colour
• Stripriya – Asoka is useful in Stririoga
• Kamkeli – It generates happiness
• Madhupushpa – Plant flowers in vasanta ritu
• Pinda pushpa – Inflorescence is globose
• Ganda pushpa – Flowers are aromatic
• Natural ferrous compounds are also present in bark and flowers.
• Stem bark is the most used part but fresh flowers are equally beneficial.
• Ashoka is also famous for analgesic, styptic-hemostatic, tranquilizing, anti dyspeptic and diuretic properties.

Benefits:

• Grahi – absorbent
• Varnya – Improves skin complexion
• Doshahara – natural detoxifier & cleanser
• Apachi hara – relieves growth, tumors
• Trushnahara – relieves thirst
• Dahahara – relieves burning sensation
• Krumighna – relieves worm infestation
• Shoshahara – relieves emaciation
• Vishahara – useful in poisoning
• Asrajit – useful in bleeding diseases
• Hrudya – useful in cardiac disorders, acts as cardiac tonic
• Shramaapaha – relieves tiredness
• Gulmahara – relieves abdominal tumor, bloating
• Shulahara – relieves abdominal colic pain
• Udarahara – useful in ascites
• Adhmanahara – relieves bloating Mode of action in heavy periods:Haematoxylin is the important chemical constituent of Ashoka Bark. It regulates bleeding especially in menstrual irregularities. Tannin and catechin constituents help to slow down the excess menstrual flow.

Uses Remedies Benefits and Application

1) Add 10 grams of Ashoka in 2 cups of water, boiled and reduced to half. Then Filter it. This liquid is administered on empty stomach, twice a day. As per requirement you can add teaspoon of honey(in cold state) or jaggery This subsides heavy periods.

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2) Take Ashoka seeds powder in a big betel leaf and eat it twice a day, morning and evening to get relief from respiratory complications.

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3) The bark of the Ashoka tree is used to treat scorpion bites.

4) Bleeding disorders : Ashoka, Yashtimadhu(Indian Licorice), Lajjalu(touch me not plant), Are taken in equal quantities. A tablespoon of this powder mix is added with 2 cups of water, boiled and reduced to half a cup and filtered.  This is useful for the treatment of bleeding disorders, heavy periods, etc. It is usually started 3-5 days prior to the date of periods and continued till 10 days after periods.

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5) Extract of Ashoka flower is used effectively to treat hemorrhagic dysentery. The extract is made by grinding the flowers along with some water. And consume 15 to 16 drops.

6) Take the dried flowers of Ashok, grind it along with water and take 15 to 60 drops twice a day. It is used to get relief from diabetes.

7) Wound wash : Ashoka is also used for healing wounds, strengthening uterine muscles. It is also believed that it prevents ocular diseases, miscarriages and neurological disorders. Ashoka bark decoction is used for washing wounds and non healing ulcers.

8) Ashoka can fight fever, cold and infections as it possesses anti-bacterial properties.

9) To recover from internal piles, Ashokabark is 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 90 grams. Take 2 to 3 doses of this every day.

10) Take 1 or 2 spoonful (or) 1 or 2 grams of seeds powder of Ashoka Tree with water twice a day it stops the problem of excessive urination and stones problem.

11) To get rid of pimples, take the bark of Ashoka Tree grind and boil it in with 2 cups of water until 1 cup is left out. Mix 1/2 cup of mustard oil to it later it cools off. Apply it to the pimples regularly.

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12) Fistfull of Ashoka flowers and  half fist of coconut pulp are taken and churned well in mixer or grinder.To this, add as per one’s taste, salt, black pepper, curry leaves and coriander. This is very useful in treating gastritis, mouth ulcers, GERD.

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13) To maintain menstrual flow at a normal level, take the bark of Ashoka 2 tolas, milk 1/2 seers and water 1/2 seers boil them together gently, and when only milk is left filter it and consume it regularly.

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14) Take Ashoka Tree bark and dip it in water for the whole night and the next morning prepare a paste. This paste is applied externally on injured bones to accelerate the healing process.

15) Ashoka bark, Amalaki fruit rind and Nagakesar stamens (Mesua ferrea) are taken in equal amount and fine powder is made. 1-2 gram of this powder is mixed with a cup of rice washed water or sweet buttermilk and administered twice daily. This pacifies leucorrhea very effectively.In burping, gastric regurgitation also this is found useful. 

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16) The bark is used to cure dyspepsia, dysentery, piles, sores and irregular menstruation, whereas the dried flowers are used for treatment of syphilis, hemorrhagic, diabetes and dysentery. It also helps to get rid of the toxins from the body and is effective in purifying the blood naturally and in preventing skin allergies. Seeds are used to treat bone fracture and vesicle calculi. The plant is used in the treatment of dyspepsia, indigestion, blood disorders, tumours etc.

17) Consumption of Ashoka tree helps to remove toxins from our blood and hence provides excellent benefits for our skin. Ashoka helps to purify blood and prevent the onset of allergies and other skin disorders. The tree roots and seeds of Ashoka helps to treat skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and dermatitis.

18) Ashoka seed powder is wrapped in betel leaves and consumed a number of times, it helps to treat asthma.

19) Due to it's diuretic property, it is useful in dysuria and calculi, It prevents the formation of a calculus.

20) The bark of the Ashoka tree good for skin and used to prepare cosmetics that help to improve skin complexion.

21) There are various indigenous preparations available with Ashoka as a major constituent, of which the important ones include Ashokarishta, Ashokaghrita, Ashoka kwath.

22) The women of Chhattisgarh boil the bark of Ashoka in cow's milk, add sugar and consume it once a day for three days and repeat the course after three months to prevent gynecological disorders.

23) In India married Hindu women eat the flower buds of Saraca asoca on the "Ashok Shasthi day" to guard their children against grief and sorrow.

24) Asokaghrita is indicated for the treatment of backache, pain of uterine origin, and anemia.

25) Powdered bark of asoka with honey for the treatment of pradara (discharges per vaginum) or asragdara (menorrhagia).

26) Asoka in combination with other medicines is recommended for the treatment of various diseases such as kaphaja gulma, kapha vata janya vibandha (constipation due to kapha vata vitiation), kustha (skin diseases), pliha (splenic enlargement), udara roga (peritonitis), and yoni roga (genito-urinary disorders).

27) It can be used to reduce meda (fatty tissues in body) and kapha.

Side effects

• Take Ashoka under Supervision of Ayurveda practitioner for conditions such as  pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Constipation 

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