Adhatoda vasica is a tall, evergreen, herbaceous shrub that is native to Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and China. The plant features yellow coloured bark, lance-shaped leaves, white and purple flowers, and pubescent club-shaped capsular fruits.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The major chemical compounds of A. vasica belong to the quinazoline alkaloid group. These quinazoline alkaloids are vasicine, and a bronchodilator alkaloid, vasicinone . The bronchodilatory activity of vasicine is well reported. Bromhexine and ambroxol are the derivatives of vasicine, which are used as expectorants and mucolytics. Vasicine has been characterized by infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and melting point. Identification of vasicine was done through spectral data comparison with those data that had been reported.
Adhatoda Vasica leaves have anti inflammatory, Stimulant, strong analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic and anti-ulcer properties in/on various organs of the body. Adhatoda vasica (also called Vasaka) is a traditional medicinal herb used traditionally for the relief of cough, asthma, nasal congestion, bronchial inflammation, upper respiratory infections, bleeding disorders, skin diseases, leprosy, tuberculosis, diabetes, allergic conditions, rheumatism, tumor, and many more diseases.
Vasicine acetate exhibited good zone of inhibition against bacteria: 10 mm against E. aerogenes, 10 mm against S. epidermidis, and 10 mm against P. aeruginosa. Vasicine acetate showed minimum inhibitory concentration values against bacteria: M. luteus (125 μg/mL), E. aerogenes (125 μg/mL), S. epidermidis (125 μg/mL), and P. aeruginosa (125 μg/mL). The radical scavenging activity of Vasicine acetate was the maximum at 1000 μg/mL (66.15%). The compound showed prominent cytotoxic activity in vitro against A549 lung adenocarcinoma cancer cell line. Quantification of Vasicine and Vasicine acetate by HPLC-DAD analysis showed their contents to be 0.2293% and 0.0156%, respectively, on dry weight basis of the leaves. Vasicine acetate could be probed further in drug discovery programme.
Health Benefits of Adhatoda Vasica
Respiratory Tracks
Recurrent coughs and congested throat can cause a lot of discomfort and prevent a peaceful good night’s sleep while making you feel tired and exhausted. Being rich in anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and expectorant properties, Vasaka holds high significance in treating the common cold, cough and flu symptoms. It also reduces chest and nasal congestion gets rid of excess sputum and stops nasal discharge. It is also highly effective in treating asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and other respiratory illnesses.
Prepare a decoction of Vasaka leaves by boiling it in water. Add a spoon of honey and drink this concoction daily to prevent respiratory infections.
Promotes GIT
Vasaka is a powerful digestive stimulant. The carminative and appetite-stimulant properties of the herb help in breaking down food particles in the stomach and intestine, promote the secretion of the digestive juices and thereby increase the absorption of essential nutrients through the intestines. It also helps to eliminate abdominal gas and in turn reduces abdominal distension, bloating and gaseous cramps.
It offers an amazing cure for a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders like esophagitis, dyspepsia, heartburn, diarrhoea, flatulence, peptic and duodenal ulcers and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Purifies Blood
Being a potent cardiac tonic, the herb is extremely essential in purifying the blood. It effectively improves blood count, manages blood pressure and hence prevents a host of heart rhythm disorders. The presence of anti-coagulant and anti-fibrinolytic properties also prevents blockage and formation of clots in the arteries (aterosclerosis) causing heart block.
Adhatoda Vasica Prevents Infections
The abundance of antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic properties, make Vasaka the ultimate solution to ward off the various infections. The bio-active components in the Malabar nut bolster immunity and prevent bacterial infestation (bacterial and fungal infections like fever, tuberculosis, dengue etc) but also prevents allergic conditions on the skin.
Skin infections like acne, warts, boils, eczema, blisters, itching etc. Beauty essentials imbued with vasaka extract or malabar nut oil also improves complexion by evening out the skin tone, clearing blocked pores, and also reducing various signs of ageing. Owing to the antiseptic nature, the juice obtained from vasaka also prevents wounds and injuries and facilitates healing.
Relieves Pain And Inflammation
Adhatoda Vasica is a strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties. Adhatoda Vasica offers extensive relief from pain and inflammation in arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, uric acid and other joints pain, vasodilator (treat painful muscle spasms, sore muscles, arthritic conditions, and other inflammatory situations).
Adhatoda Vasica Treats Uremia, Renal Failure
Uremia is a chronic condition that arises due to a raised level of urea and other nitrogenous waste compounds in the blood that are normally excreted by the kidneys. This condition chiefly occurs due to malfunctioning of the kidneys or renal failure. The horde of bioactive constituents in vasaka helps in eliminating the toxic wastes from the body through urine and uplifts the urinary functions.
Dr. Sayyad Qaisar Ahmed (MD {Ukraine}, DHMS), Abdominal Surgeries, Oncological surgeries, Gastroenterologist, Specialist Homeopathic Medicines.
Senior research officer at Dnepropetrovsk state medical academy Ukraine.
Location: Al-Haytham clinic, Umer Farooq Chowk Risalpur Sadder (0923631023, 03119884588), K.P.K, Pakistan.
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