Vasaka

Vasaka, also called adhatoda, adalodakam or malabar nut, consists of dried, as well as fresh, leaves of the plant "Justicia adhatoda L.; Sp. Pl. 1 15 1753", belonging to family Acanthaceae.

The leaves of this plant was not eaten by goats as it is bitter ( Hence the name Adu (Goat) - Thoda ( not touch). This herb is very widely found and it was common to have a brew made with these leaves boiled in water with black pepper corns added. The benefits were captured in the western system of medicine and the extracts are used in expectorants.

Vasaka is used in ayurveda abundantly for different diseases, this is the only herb which can pacify both pitta and kapha doshas. The details of this herb in Ayurveda is as follows- Sanskrit Name: VasaVasakaVasika - Means one which covers a large area, here area coverage stands for a protective cover on the body Singhasya- Means a plant having flowers like the mouth of the lionVajidanta-Means a plant having white flowers like the teeth of a horseVrusha- Means one that showers the honey i.e. having a lot of nectarAatrushaka Lt. Name: Adhatoda vasica- Acanthaceae Bio energetics:Rasa (Taste)- Tikta (Bitter); Kashaya (Astringent)Guna (Characteristics)- Laghu (Light); Ruksha (Rough)Veerya (Potency)- Sheeta (Cool and calm)Vipaka (Post digestion effect)- Katu (Pungent) Action according to Ayurveda:Shwashara- Useful in Respiratory discomfort specially asthematic conditionsKasahara- Useful in acute as well as coughChhardihara- Alleviates nauseatic conditionsVatakrit- Increases air component in the bodySwarya- Improves voiceHrudya- Cardiac tonicTrid hrit- Alleviates excessive thirstKushthahara- Useful in all types of skin diseasesKshayapaha- Useful in emaciation, undernutrition and all similar conditionsRaktapittahara- Useful in bleeding tendencies

External Links

** [http://www.ayurvedicdietsolutions.com/Vasaka.php Use of Vaska according to Ayurveda and its medicinal values]