Vasa – Adhatoda vasica

Vasa – Adhatoda vasica / Malabar nut is one the powerful herbs used in treating asthma, bronchitis and excess mucous condition. This is so powerful an herb that there was an allopathic medicine syrup combination with Bromhexine and Vasa, marketed with the tag line – “With Vasaka effect”

But it was pulled out of the market by Indian FDA, because, no allopathic medicine can have an herb as an ingredient.

That is an altogether different story, whether FDA was right or wrong, but it clearly indicates the efficacy and fame of this wonder herb – Vasa – Malabar Nut.

Another interesting fact is that, it is coolant herb, but it is useful in respiratory tract conditions.

Botanical Name- Adhathoda vasica Nees. (Adhatoda zeylanica Medicus), Adhatoda beddomei

Family – Acanthaceae (Vasa Kula)

Adhatoda vasica Nees is accepted botanical source of Vasa throughout India. But in Kerala Adhatoda beddomei C.B.C1 is also considered as the botanical source of Vasa.

Classification

Division : Spermatophyta

Subdivision : Angiospermae (Angiosperms)

Class : Dicotyledonae (Dicotyledons)

Sub class : Gamopetalae

Series : Bicarpellate

Order (Cohort) : Personales

Family : Acanthaceae

Vernacular names

Hindi Name- Adosa, Arusha, Rus, Bansa, Adusa

English Name- Malabar Nut

Telugu Name- Addasaramu, Adamkabu, Adampaka

Bengali Name- Adulsa, Bakash,Vasok

Punjabi Name-Vamsa, Bhekkar

Marathi Name- Adulsa

Malayalam name – Adolakam

Gujarati Name- Araduso, Aradusī, Adulso, Aduraspee, Bansa

Tamil Name- Eidhadad, Adathodai

Nepali name – Asuro, Kalo vasak

Persian name – Bansa

Oriya name – Basanga, Arusa, Basung

Marathi name – Adulsa, Adusa

Kannada name – Adusogae, Adu muttada soppu (the green veg that a goat never eats)

Assamese name – Titabahak, Bahak,

Konkani name – Adusoge

Sanskrit synonyms

Vasa, Vasaka, Vasika – Vasayati Acchadayati – the herb which is thick and spreads its branches to create shade area

Simhi, Simhasya – the flower resembles the mouth of lion

Vajidanta – the flowers are as white as teeth of horse

Vrisha, Vrusha – Varshati Madhu – flowers attract bees

Atarusha, Atarooshaka

Bhishagatma – mother medicine

Classical categorization

Classical Categorization of Vasa

Charaka—Tikta Skandha – Bitter tasting group of herbs

Vagbhata- Durvadi Gana

Types:

In Brihatrayees VASA varieties is not mentioned and in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu namely he has mentioned two types

Shweta – white

Krishna/Asthiparni – black varieyty

Medicinal qualities

Malabar nut – Vasaka – Medicinal qualities:

Rasa (taste) – Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)

Guna (qualities) – Laghu (light), Rooksha (dryness)

Vipaka – Katu – undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion

Veerya – Sheeta – cold potency

Karma- Balances Kapha and Pitta

Part used, dosage

Part Used- Leaf, Root, Flower, Whole plant

Vasaka Dose –

Leaf Juice – 10-20 ml;

Root decoction 40-80 ml; flower juice- 10-20 ml

Leaf dry powder – 1 – 3 grams, once or twice a day

Vasa Putapaka Swarasa – Juice extract by Putapaka method – 24 – 48 ml, once or twice a day

Vasa Ghrita – herbal ghee – 5 – 10 grams once or twice a day before food or as directed by Ayurveda doctor.

Uses

Malabar Nut – Adhatoda – uses

The flower –

Balances Kapha and Pitta.

It is bitter, coolant and pungent.

Kshaya – useful in chronic respiratory tract infections,

Kasa – useful in cold and cough.

It is useful to relieve burning urination

The whole plant –

Asrajit – useful in bleeding disorders, detoxifies blood

Kshaya – useful in chronic respiratory tract infections,

Kasa – useful in cold and cough.

Chardi – useful in vomiting

Kushta -useful in skin disorders

Jwara – useful in fever

Trut, Trushna – useful in excessive thirst

Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic,

Svarya – good for throat

Shwasahara – useful in asthma, chronic bronchitits

Mehahara – Useful in urinary tract disorders, diabetes

Aruchi – useful in anorexia

Raktapitta – useful in bleeding disorders

Kaamala – useful in jaundice and liver disorders.

Of all the herbs useful in bleeding disorders, Vasa is the best.

Its leaves are made into paste and applied to relieve inflammation, pain, rheumatoid arthritis, worm infested wounds and skin disorders.

It acts as diuretic.

Side effects

People with diabetes should use this medicine with care, because it helps to reduce blood sugar levels. Hence, the dose needs to be calibrated diligently.

It is safe to use in children above 1 year of age.

It is best to avoid in pregnancy. Can be used in lactation, under medical supervision.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?

Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?

Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines

Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.

If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Distribution

Found throughout India, Usually grown on beside compounds

Chemical constituents

Adhatoda vasica chemical Constituents

Vasicine (peganine), Vasicinine, B- Sitosterol, Kaempferol, 3- Sophoroside, Luteolin, Tritriacontane, Adhatodic acid, Carotene, Vasakin, Vasicinol 1= q- Hydroxyvasicinine, Vasicinone, Vit –C, vasicol. Vasicinol, Vaicinolone, Adhatodine, Adhavasinone, Anisotine, Vasicolone, Vasicolinone etc.

(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Research

Antimicrobial activity against clinical pathogens

Anti ulcer activity

Hepatoprotective activity of Vasaka

Anti oxidant and antimicrobial activity

Ayurvedic Home remedies

For Laryngitis – hoarse voice – 1 teaspoon of juice of Vasaka is administered along with 2 teaspoons of honey, twice a day after food for 1 week time.

Use in Rasashastra

Uses in Rasashastra – metallic Ayurvedic medicines:

Vasaka is used in the process of purification of Vimala (Iron pyrite). Vimala is tied in a pack and sudation (Swedana) is given with the leaf juice extract of Vasaka for 3 hours.

Ayurveda medicines

Ayurveda medicine with Vasaka as ingredient:

Vasarishta – used in cold, cough and asthma

Mathala rasayanam – indicated in almost all the conditions in which malabar nut is indicated.

Maha Vishagarbh Tail – Used in sciatica, stiffness and tetanus

Special Ayurvedic medicines of Vasa

Charaka Samhita

Atarushadi kwatha – Raktapitta – C.Chi.4/65

Vasa ghrita Gulma, Jwara C.Chi.5/126-127

Kanakabindvarishta Kusta C.Chi.7/76-79

Mahakhadiradi ghrita Kusta C.Chi.7/152-156

Chandanadya ghrita Grahani C.Chi.15/125-128

Amrita ghrita Visha C.Chi.23/243

Vrushamuladi taila Vata vyadhi C.Chi.28/170

Triphaladi kalka Vatashonita C.Chi.29/152

Vrushakadi choorna Yonivyapat C.Chi.30/56

Mahatiktaka ghrita Kusta, Jwara C.Chi.7/144-150

Sushruta Samhita

Vasadi Kashaya Vata vyadi Su.Su.4/30

Astanga Hridaya

Vasa ghirta Raktapitta, Jwara A.H.Chi.2/40

Duralabharista Arsha A.H.Chi.8/70

Vrsadi ghirta Kasa, Jwara A.H.Chi.3/162

Chandanadi ghrita Grahani dosa A.H.Chi.10/42

Mahatiktaka ghrita Kushta A.H.Chi.19/9

Vajaraka ghrita Kushta, Jwara A.H.Chi.19/18

Patoladi ghrita Vruna, Jwara A.H.K.13/6-9

Astanga Sangraha

Vasa ghrita Raktapitta, Jwara A.S.Chi.3/63

Duralabh Arista Arsha A.S.Chi.10/20

Mahatikta ghirta Kushta A.S.Chi.21/4

Maha triphala ghrita Timira pratisweda A.S.U.16/14

Patoladi ghrita Timira pratisweda A.S.U.16/7-10

Sarangadhara Samhita

Vasakadi swarasa Raktapitta, Jwara Sh.S.Mk.1/8

Vasaputapaka Raktapitta, Jwara Sh.S.Mk.1/34

Bunimbadi kwatha Kapha jwara Sh.S.Mk.2/19

Panchakamaha kwatha Vishama jwara Sh.S.Mk.2/51

Devadaru churna Vhaturtaka jwara Sh.S.Mk.2/58

Panhatikta ghirta Vishama jwara Sh.S.Mk.9/91

Devadarvyadi rasa Prameha Sh.S.Mk.10/53

Chakradatta

Duralabhadi kwatha Jwara (Pittaja) Chakradatta.1/84

Triphala kwatha Kaphaja jwara Chakradatta.1/107

Vasa swarasa Jwara (Kaphapitta) Chakradatta.1/127

Vasadya ghrita Jwara Chakradatta.1/258

Panchatikta ghirta Kushta Chakradatta.50/99

Vasa guggulu Amlapitta Chakradatta.52/13

Eladi kwatha Ashmari Chakradatta.34/32

Pancha kasaya Vamana prakarna Chakradatta.70/10

Guduchyadipancha ghrita Jwara Chakradatta.1/260

Bhavaprakasha

Guduchyadi kwatha Jwaradikar B.P.Mk.8,1/358

Kshudradi kwatha Jwaradikara B.P.Mk.8,1/660

Danyadi hima Raktapittadikara B.P.Mk.8, 9/23

Vasavakha Rajayakshmadikara B.P.Mk.8,11/55

Pipplyadi kwatha Kasa roga B.P.Mk.8, 12/26

Patoladi kwatha Jwara B.P.Mk.8, 1/835