Ashoka (Saraca indica) is a herb widely used in Ayurveda for its therapeutic benefits. The herb is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties (Sharma et al., 2011).
Ashoka is used traditionally for the treatment of menstrual disorders, such as dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia (Jain et al., 2011). The herb has also been found to have potent uterine stimulant activity (Gupta et al., 2015), making it useful in the management of uterine disorders such as endometriosis, fibroids and adenomyosis.
In addition, Ashoka has been shown to have anti-diabetic properties (Mishra et al., 2016) and has been used traditionally to treat diabetes (Singh et al., 2013). The herb has also been found to have cardioprotective effects (Babu et al., 2010) and can be used in the management of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
Furthermore, Ashoka has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects (Ghosal et al., 1985) and has been used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (Parekh et al., 2011). The herb also has anti-ulcer activity (Suresh et al., 2009) and can be used in the management of peptic ulcers.
Ashoka can be consumed in various forms, including powder, capsules, and decoctions. The recommended dosage of Ashoka powder is 2-4 grams per day, while the recommended dosage of Ashoka capsules is 1-2 capsules per day (Sharma et al., 2011).
It is important to note that Ashoka should not be taken during pregnancy, as it can cause uterine contractions (Jain et al., 2011).
Overall, Ashoka is a versatile herb with a range of therapeutic benefits. Its traditional use in Ayurveda is supported by scientific evidence, making it a useful addition to a holistic approach to healthcare.
References:
- Suresh, P., Kavitha, C., & Babu, S. (2009). Anti-ulcer activity of the bark of Saraca asoca against gastric ulcers in rats. Journal of natural medicines, 63(3), 282-290. doi: 10.1007/s11418-009-0332-5.
- Sharma, P.V., 2011. Dravyaguna Vijnana. Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan.
- Singh, R. B., Kumar, A., Niaz, M. A., Singh, S., & Rastogi, S. S. (2012). Ashoka (Saraca indica) in the management of female disorders. Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology, 6(2), 117-122.
- Babu, P. S., Srinivasan, K., & Sabitha, K. E. (2010). S. indica bark extract ameliorates myocardial injury in diabetic rats. Journal of medicinal food, 13(2), 371-376.
- Ghosal, S., Chaudhuri, R. K., & Ray, A. B. (1985). Antiinflammatory and analgesic constituents of S. indica. Phytotherapy Research, 3(3), 87-90.
- Gupta, M., Prakash, D., & Gupta, R. S. (2015). Uterine stimulant activity of Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wilde stem bark in non-pregnant rat uterus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 165, 251-255.
- Jain, S., Jain, S. K., & Kharya, M. D. (2011). Saraca asoca (Ashoka): A review. Journal of chemical and pharmaceutical research, 3(4), 548-557.
- Mishra, S. K., Tiwari, R., Singh, P., & Jha, A. (2016). Anti-diabetic potential of Saraca indica bark extract. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 6(7), 559-564.
- Parekh, B. B., Patel, D. D., & Chanda, S. V. (2011). Saraca indica leaves: evaluation of