Asoka

Asoka is a small, spreading, evergreen tree with bright orange flowers in small dense branches and flat fruits with several smooth grey seeds. It has smooth brownish bark and compound leaves forming a dense crown. Asoka is one of the sacred trees of Hindus, Asoka means "without sorrow" which that gives no-grief, a reference to this bark's reputation for keeping women healthy and youthful.

Botanical name : Saraca indica
Family : Ceaselpiniaceae

Action : Spasmogenic, oxytocic, uterotonic, antibacterial, anti-implantation, antitumour, antiprogestational, activity against menorrhagia, anti cancer.

Parts used : stem bark, flowers, seeds, leaves.
Properties :

• Rasa : kashaya, tikta
• Guna : laghu, ruksha
• Virya : sita
• Vipaka : katu
  

Benefits of Asoka :

• The bark is dictated in ayurvedic medicine as a uterine tranquilizer. It is believed to have stimulating effects on the endomatrium, the mucous membrane lining the uterus and on the ovarian tissue.
• Seeds are used in treating bone fractures and vesicle calculi.
• Irregular menstrual disorders : The bark of this tree is effective for excessive bleeding during menstruation due to the presence of uterine fibroid, leucorrhoea. It can be used as a kind of dried fungus used in medicine in the treatment of uterine heamorrhages.
• Piles : bark is very useful in internal piles. a decoction taken in this condition, twice a daily.
• Diabetes : The dried flowers of Asoka tree are very useful in this.
• Dysentry : A fluid extract of the flowers can be taken with beneficial results in hemorrhagic dysentry.
• Scorpion sting : The bark of the tree is also useful in treatment of scorpion sting.
• The paste of its bark- skin is beneficial in combating pain associated with oedema or swelling.
• Asoka ghrita the best medicated ghee of asoka from the fourth month of pregnancy onwards. (second trimester)
• Pimple : to clear erupted skin make a paste of asoka, some lime juice and milk apply everyday.
• Abdominal pain : make a juice of the leaves mix with cumin seeds and drink to relieve colicky pain in the abdomine.

• Burning sensation and inflammation : The decoction of the bark can be used both internally and externally as a wash to relieve inflammation of any kind and to soothe burning sensation.

Decoction formula : 90 grams of bark is boiled in 30 ml of milk and 360 ml of water till total quantity is reduced to about 90 grams. divided in 2 or 3 doses to be given in a day, from the fourth day of menstruation and continue till the bleeding is checked. Fresh decoction is to be made every day.

Herbal formulation :

1. Asokarishta : 15-30ml, twice/thrice a day
2. Asoka kwatha : 15-30 ml, twice a day
3. Seed powder : 1-3 grams, twice a day
4. flower powder : 1-3 grams, twice a day
5. Asoka ghrita : 5 grams, twice a day
6. Asoka Ghana tab. : 1-2 tab, twice a day