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    Home»Herbs and Spices»Health Benefits of Ashoka Tree
    Herbs and Spices

    Health Benefits of Ashoka Tree

    By s mAugust 5, 2019Updated:August 5, 2019No Comments7 Mins Read
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    Saraca asoca is an indigenous plant commonly known as Ashoka Tree belongs to Caesalpinaceae family. It is mentioned in the oldest Indian text apart from Ayurveda. Ashoka tree is regarded as sacred and apart from Ramayana, it is also mentioned in Jainism and Buddhism. Stem bark is used in medicines as it contains chemicals such as flavonoids, glycoside, saponins, tannins, esters, alkanes and primary alcohols. It is used as traditional medicine for women associated problems such as leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding and bleeding hemorrhoids.

    This rainforest tree is found all over India especially Kerala, Himalaya, Bengal and whole south region. It was originally distributed in central areas of Deccan plateau and middle section of the Western Ghats in western coastal zone of Indian subcontinent. Ashoka tree is recognized for its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. It is a small and erect evergreen tree with deep green leaves that grows in clusters. The tree blooms flowers from February to April.

    All parts of the plant have medicinal properties. Its leaves contain steroids, glycosides, carbohydrates, saponins and tannins. Barks have steroids, glycosides, carbohydrates, saponins and tannins. Flowers are medicinally used to treat cancer, diabetes and hemorrhagic dysentery, menorrhagia and other uterine disorders.

    Plant description

    Saraca asoca is an evergreen herb measuring 7-10 cm high which occurs to the altitude of 750 meters. Leaves are parpinnate, oblong, narrowly lanceolate and completely united. Bark is almost black or dark brown with warty surface. Stem bark is rough, uneven due to rounded or projecting lenticles. Leaves are narrowly lanceolate. Flowers are deciduous, corymbose, yellowish orange and apetalous. The tree starts flowering from February to April. Fruit is  a  pod which is flat, oblong and apiculate. Seeds are compressed and ellipsoid to oblong.

    Leaves

    Leaves are stipulate, alternate, paripinnate compounds that spread horizontally. Rachis is stout, thickened, flexible, corky and 15 to 22.5 cm long. There are 8 to 12 leaflets and the lowest pair is close to the base on very stout, short and flexible stalks about 10-22.5 cm long, 3.1-3.7 cm broad and the middle ones are longest, linear which tapers to very acute apex. Stipules are large, intrapetiolar, stiff, ovate, deciduous, brown and about 1.2 cm long. There are 7 stamens with very long purple filaments which are inserted on fleshy lobed ring at mouth of calyx tube. Anthers are purple to black and ovary is superior, stalked, unilocular and unicarpellary.

    Fruit

    Fruit is a legume about 12.5-22.5 cm long and 5 cm wide which tapers to both ends, compressed, glabrous, rigidly leathery and veiny. It consists of 3.7-4.3 cm seeds which are ovoid and slightly compressed.

    Ashoka Tree Image Gallery
    Bark Bark
    Bark-cut Bark-cut
    Close-up-flower Close-up-flower
    Flower-bud Flower-bud
    Leaves Leaves
    Open-pods Open-pods
    Plant-illustration Plant-illustration
    Pods Pods
    Seeds Seeds
    Stipule Stipule
    Tree Tree
    Young-leaves Young-leaves
    Traditional uses

    • In Indian medicine, Saraca asoca is used for treating genital, uterine and other reproductive disorders in pain, fever, women and inflammation.
    • In Ayurveda, it is used to clear congestion from Mamsa and Medas Dhatus especially when there is endometriosis, leucorrhoea, fibroids, cysts from excess kapha and ama in Artava Srotas.
    • The herb is effective for cardiac weakness and arrhythmia.
    • It encourages the flow of urine and helps to treat conditions such as painful urination.
    • It is a tonic for irregular menstrual cycles and miscarriage.
    • To prevent gynecological disorders, boil Ashoka bark in cow’s milk with sugar and consume it once a day for 3 days.
    • Use the decoction made by boiling the bark in water for menorrhagia.
    • The herb also improves the skin complexion.
    • It also purifies the blood and prevents skin allergies.
    • Ashoka is used for treating wounds, diarrhea, poisoning, tumors, burning sensation, worm infestations, abdomen swelling and excessive menstrual bleeding.
    • It is used in dermatitis, anorexia, animal bite, indigestion and as a hair tonic.
    • Stem bark is helpful for treating disorders related to menstrual cycle.
    • Bark decoction is used to treat uterine infections as well as gynaecological problems.
    • Flowers are useful in treating dysentery.
    • Take dried flower powder (Saraca indica) with milk or honey and Saraca asoca bark decoction twice a day for treating diabetes.
    • For stomachache, mix the leaves juice with cumin seeds.
    • Saraca asoca seed powder helps to cure kidney stones.
    • Ash of Ashok tree is useful to cure joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis.

    Dosage

    Syrup: 10-15ml

    Powder: 1-3gm

    Seed powder: 1-3 g

    Flower powder: 1-3 gm

    Medicinal applications

    1. Dysmenorrhea

    Dysmenorrhea is the cramps or pain during / before menstrual period. It is known as kasht-aartava in Ayurveda. Menstruation is managed by Vata dosha. It is essential that Vata should be under control in a women to manage dysmenorrhea.

    Tips:

    1. Boil the Ashoka tree bark in water till the volume of water reduces to one-fourth.
    2. Strain liquid and store it in a bottle.
    3. Take 8-10 teaspoons of this Ashoka kwatha.
    4. Drink it after adding the same quantity of water after lunch and dinner to manage pain during menstruation.

     

    1. Menorrhagia

    Menorrhagia is a heavy menstrual bleeding which is due to aggravated Pitta dosha. This helps to balance aggravated Pitta and controls heavy menstrual bleeding.

    Tips:

    1. Boil the Ashoka tree bark in water till the volume of water reduces to one-fourth.
    2. Strain liquid and store it in bottle.
    3. Take 8-10 teaspoons of this Ashoka kwatha.
    4. Drink it after adding the same quantity of water after lunch and dinner to manage pain during menstruation.


    3. Piles

    Piles are caused due to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet leading to impairment of three doshas mainly Vata. An aggravated Vata leads to constipation causing low digestive fire. It causes swelling in veins in rectum area leading to pile mass. As it has cold nature, it lowers burning sensation and discomfort in piles. It provides cooling effects and lowers burning sensation in anus.

    Tips:

    1. Take ¼ to ½ teaspoon of Saraca asoca powder.
    2. Add honey or water.
    3. Take it after meals.
    4. Leucorrhea

    It is the thick, whitish discharge from the female genitals. Saraca asoca is caused due to imbalance of Kapha dosha. Saraca asoca controls aggravated Kapha and lowers leucorrhea symptoms.

    Tips:

    1. Boil the Ashoka tree bark in water till the volume of water reduces to one-fourth.
    2. Strain liquid and store it in middle.
    3. Take 8-10 teaspoons of this Ashoka kwatha.
    4. Add the same quantity of water and drink preferably after lunch and dinner to manage leucorrhea.
    5. Prevention of diarrhea

    Flowers of Ashoka tree helps to manage blood loss in stools and treats diarrhea without any side effects. Bark, flowers and leaves are used as tonic to provide relief from painful condition.

    1. Gynecological problems

    Boil 6 gm of Saraca asoca powder in 500 ml cow milk and 500 ml water until it lowers to half. For normal menses, drink it daily for 3 days.

    1. Improve intellect

    The daily intake of products made with Ashoka tree improves intellect. Mix equal quantities of Ashoka Tree bark and brahmi powder and consume one teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with a cup of milk.

    1. Menorrhagia

    Make a decoction by boiling bark in water. Take this decoction in empty stomach to patients. Or boil it in milk.

    1. Internal bleeding

    Drink few drops of water combined with crushed flowers of Ashoka Tree for preventing internal bleeding. This helps to prevent hemorrhagic dysentery.

    1. Skin Diseases

    Boil Saraca asoca in water and use this water to cleanse wounds and skin conditions.

    Rub the crushed leaves and flowers on the skin.

    1. Fungal infections

    Apply the infusion prepared with Saraca asoca flowers and leaves of Henna in coconut oil.

    1. Scabies and itching

    Apply the flowers boiled in coconut oil.

    1. Fractured bones

    Apply the bark paste on affected area.    

    1. Intestinal parasites

    Leaves are used for eliminating intestinal parasites.

    Side-effects

    • When used in large doses, it causes constipation.
    • Consult the health practitioner for use.

    References:

    https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Saraca+asoca

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304173094_Saraca_asoca_Roxb_De_Wild_An_overview

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237840510_Phytoconstituents_and_HPTLC_analysis_in_Saraca_asoca_RoxbWilde

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285333987_Phytomedicinal_Importance_of_Saraca_asoca_Ashoka_An_Exciting_Past_an_Emerging_Present_and_a_Promising_Future

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308375772_Ethnobotanical_phytochemical_and_pharmacological_properties_of_Saraca_asoca_bark_A_Review

    http://www.tropicalplantresearch.com/archives/2017/vol4issue1/22.pdf

    https://www.academia.edu/29791438/Phytomedicinal_importance_of_Saraca_asoca_Ashoka_an_exciting_past_an_emerging_present_and_a_promising_future

    http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Saraca+asoca

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5125291/

    https://www.homeremediess.com/ashok-medicinal-plant-uses-and-pictures/

    https://www.1mg.com/ayurveda/ashoka-101

    https://www.bimbima.com/ayurveda/ashokasaraca-asoca-home-remedies/1515/

    https://www.lybrate.com/topic/ashoka-tree-uses-benefits-and-side-effects

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    Ashoka Tree Quick Facts
    Name: Ashoka Tree
    Scientific Name: Saraca asoca
    Origin India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
    Colors Black
    Shapes Flat, leather
    Taste Astringent and sweet (Bark)
    Name Ashoka Tree
    Scientific Name Saraca asoca
    Native India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
    Common/English Name Sorrow-less Tree
    Name in Other Languages Assamese: Ashok, Ashok-goch, Ahok, Ashoka (অশোক);
    Bengali: ashoka (অশোক), asok, oshok;
    Burma: Thawgabo; 
    Canarese: Akshath;
    English: Ashoka, ashokam, ashok tree;
    Gujarati: ashok (અશોક), ashoka, ashopalava;
    Hindi: ashok (अशोक), asok, sita ashok, ashok, ashok, vandichitrah, ashoka;
    Kannada: Achenge, Karbi, Mir krem, Ashanke, Kenkalimara, Ashoka (ಅಶೋಕ), Kankalimara, Ashokadamara, Ashokamara, Achenge;
    Konkani: Asok (असोक);
    Malayalam: Ashokam (അശോകം), Hemapushpam, Ashokam;
    Marathi: Ashok (अशोक), Jasundi;
    Mizo: mual-hawih;
    Nepali: ashok (अशोक);
    Oriya: anganapriya (ଅଙ୍ଗନାପ୍ରିଯ), asoka (ଅଶୋକ), dohali (ଦୋହଳୀ), kankela (କଙ୍କେଳ);
    Pali: ashoka (अशोक);
    Punjabi: Ashok;
    Sanskrit: Anganapriya, Ashoka (अशोक), Apashoka, Chakraguchha, Chira, Dohali, Gandhapushpa, Doshahari, Kankali, Hemapushpa, Kankelli, Kantacharandohada, Kantanghridohada, Karnapura, Karnapuraka, Kelika, Krimikaraka, Nata, Madhupushpa, Pindapushpa, Palladru, Prapallava, Rama, Raktapallava, Rogitaru, Shokaharta, Shhaya, Shokanasha, Strinirikshanadohada, Smaradhivasa, Subhaga, Tamrapallava, Vamankayatana, Vamanghrighataka, Vanjula, Vanjuldruma, Vishoka, Vichitra, Vitashoka;
    Siddha: Asoku;
    Sinhalese: Diyaratambala, Asoka, Diyaratmal;
    Tamil: Ashokam (அசோகம்), Ashoku (அசோகு), Asogam, Asogu, Asogam, Malaikkarunai, Anagam, Sasubam;
    Tibetan: a so ka, my nan med;
    Urdu: Ashok  Chhaal
    Plant Growth Habit Perennial, evergreen tree
    Soil Medium to deep well drained fertile soil
    Plant Size 7–10 m
    Bark Rough, uneven, dark brown or grey or almost black
    Leaf Alternate, paripinnate, 30-60 cm long
    Flowering Season February – August
    Flower Orange or orange yellow
    Pod shape & size Flat, leather
    Pod color Black
    Bark Taste Astringent  and  sweet
    Seed Ellipsoid-oblong, compressed
    Fruit Season July to October

    Ashoka Tree Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Saraca asoca

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
    Subclass Rosidae
    Order Fabales
    Family Fabaceae ∕ Leguminosae (Pea family)
    Genus Saraca
    Species Asoca
    Synonyms
    • Jonesia asoca Roxb.
    • Jonesia confusa Hassk.
    • Jonesia pinnata Willd.
    • Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wilde
    • Saraca confusa (Hassk.) Backer
    • Saraca indica sensu Bedd., non L.
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