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Adhatoda Vasica Nees.
Plant parts generally used: Leaves, roots, flowers and stem bark.
Description :
It is a small evergreen, subherbacious bush. The Leaves are 10 to 16 cms in
length ,minutely pubescent and broadly lanceolate. The inflorescence is dense,
short pedunculate, bractate and spike terminal. The corolla is large and white
with lower lip streaked purple. The fruit is a 4-seeded small capsule.
Medicinal Uses
The use of root bulbs in functional gastro- intestinal disorders, shows a significant
carminative effect, with a relief of nausea, gas colic, flatulence, belching and
heaviness.
It is also prescribed commonly in ayurveda for bleeding due to idiopathic
thrombocytopenic purpura (very low platelet count that causes sudden bleeding),
local bleeding due to peptic ulcer, piles, menorrhagia (excessive blood loss
during menstruation) etc.
Contraindication:
In ayurveda the human use of the leaf extract, is considered safe. Teratogenic studies were safe. However, the
uterotonic and aborti- facient activity prevents its use during pregnancy, particularly in high doses of extracts.
Photo credit : Universita di Catania
Chemicals present :
The leaves of the plant contain an essential oil and alkaloids vasicine, N-oxides of
vasicine, vasicinone, deoxyvasicine and maiontone. The roots are known to
contain vasicinolone, vasicol, peganine and 2' - hydroxy - 4 - glucosyl
-oxychalcone. The flowers contain b-sitosterol-D-glucoside, kaempferol, its
glycosides and quereetin.
