Ashoka — Ashoka Tree

Ayurvedic herb Ashoka (Saraca asoca) — Ashoka Tree. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Kashaya, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

A prime uterine tonic, it regulates menstruation and reduces cramps.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, KashayaTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Kashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
GunaLaghuLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness
ViryaSheetaSheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaYonishodhana, StambhanaYonishodhana — uterine/vaginal cleanser; Stambhana — styptic, stops bleeding

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Ashoka is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Hemapushpa, Tamrapallava, Kankeli, Pindapushpa

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Ashoka are: twak, bija, pushpa.

Main Indications

Ashoka is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Pradara, Raktapitta, Ashmari, Mutrakrichha, Daha.

Dosha Effects

Ashoka pacifies Pitta, Kapha.

It may aggravate Vata when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Ashoka is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kaṣ¡ya, Tikta
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Rūkṣa
Virya (Potency)śita
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Gr¡hi, Varḍya, Hrdya, śothahara, Viṣaghna
Dose20-30 g of the drug for decoction.
Therapeutic Uses: Asrgdara, Apaci, D¡ha, Raktadoṣa, śotha
Important Formulations: A¿ok¡riṣua, A¿okaghrta
Botanical Name: Saraca indica (Leguminosae)
Part Used: St. Bk.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
barkAbdominal swellingUMLS:C1291077, ICD-11:ME01ISBN:9788173717062
barkMuscular injuryUMLS:C0410256Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkAbdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra), Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkAcne vulgarisMESH:D000152,UMLS:C0702166, DOID:6543, ICD-11:ED80.ZISBN:9788173717062, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkAmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788172363093
barkAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788173717062, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172363093
barkAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9788173717062
barkAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788173717062
barkAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra), Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkDemulcentsMESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9789327275590
barkDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9789327275590
barkDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkEmollientsMESH:D004643,UMLS:C0013983, ICD-11:XM1C59Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkFractures, boneMESH:D050723,UMLS:C0016658, ICD-11:ND56.2Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkHematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9789327275590, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra), Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkHemostaticsMESH:D006490,UMLS:C0019120ISBN:9788173717062
barkInfectionMESH:D007239,UMLS:C3714514, ICD-11:1H0ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkMenopauseMESH:D008593,UMLS:C0025320, ICD-11:GA30.0ISBN:9789327275590
barkMenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra), Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkMenstruation disturbancesMESH:D008599,UMLS:C0025345, ICD-11:GA20.30ISBN:9789327275590
barkNeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkThirstMESH:D013894ISBN:9788173717062
barkUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717062, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra), Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkUrinary retentionMESH:D016055,UMLS:C0080274, ICD-11:MF50.3ISBN:9789327275590
barkUterine diseasesMESH:D014591,UMLS:C0042131, DOID:345, ICD-11:GA1YISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172363093, ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra), Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9789327275590, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
barkCooling effect on bodyUMLS:C0678568Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra), Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
flowerAmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788172363093
flowerColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9789327275590
flowerDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9788173717062
flowerDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
flowerDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9789327275590
flowerDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9789327275590
flowerHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788173717062
flowerHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9789327275590
flowerInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717062
flowerLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9789327275590
flowerLymphadenitisMESH:D008199,UMLS:C0024205, DOID:1602, ICD-11:BD90ISBN:9788173717062
flowerMenopauseMESH:D008593,UMLS:C0025320, ICD-11:GA30.0ISBN:9789327275590
flowerMenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9789327275590
flowerMenstruation disturbancesMESH:D008599,UMLS:C0025345, ICD-11:GA20.30ISBN:9789327275590
flowerPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590
flowerScabiesMESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04ISBN:9788173717062
flowerSyphilisMESH:D013587,UMLS:C0039128, DOID:4166, ICD-11:1A6ZISBN:9788173717062
flowerThirstMESH:D013894ISBN:9788173717062
flowerUrinary retentionMESH:D016055,UMLS:C0080274, ICD-11:MF50.3ISBN:9789327275590
flowerUterine diseasesMESH:D014591,UMLS:C0042131, DOID:345, ICD-11:GA1YISBN:9788172363093, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590
flowerVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9789327275590
leafColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9789327275590
leafDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9789327275590
leafDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9789327275590
leafDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9789327275590
leafHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9789327275590
leafLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9789327275590
leafMenopauseMESH:D008593,UMLS:C0025320, ICD-11:GA30.0ISBN:9789327275590
leafMenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9789327275590
leafMenstruation disturbancesMESH:D008599,UMLS:C0025345, ICD-11:GA20.30ISBN:9789327275590
leafMouth diseasesMESH:D009059,UMLS:C0026636, DOID:403ISBN:9788173717062
leafPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9789327275590
leafUrinary retentionMESH:D016055,UMLS:C0080274, ICD-11:MF50.3ISBN:9789327275590
leafUterine diseasesMESH:D014591,UMLS:C0042131, DOID:345, ICD-11:GA1YISBN:9789327275590
leafVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9789327275590
seedColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9789327275590
seedDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788172363178
seedDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9789327275590
seedDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9789327275590
seedDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9789327275590
seedFractures, boneMESH:D050723,UMLS:C0016658, ICD-11:ND56.2ISBN:9788173717062
seedHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9789327275590
seedLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9789327275590
seedMenopauseMESH:D008593,UMLS:C0025320, ICD-11:GA30.0ISBN:9789327275590
seedMenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9789327275590
seedMenstruation disturbancesMESH:D008599,UMLS:C0025345, ICD-11:GA20.30ISBN:9789327275590
seedPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9789327275590
seedUrinary bladder calculiMESH:D001744,UMLS:C0005683, ICD-11:GB71.0ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
seedUrinary bladder diseasesMESH:D001745,UMLS:C0005686, DOID:365Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedUrinary retentionMESH:D016055,UMLS:C0080274, ICD-11:MF50.3ISBN:9789327275590
seedUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9788173717062
seedUterine diseasesMESH:D014591,UMLS:C0042131, DOID:345, ICD-11:GA1YISBN:9789327275590
seedVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9789327275590
AntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9788172363093
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
Genital diseases, femaleMESH:D005831,UMLS:C0017411, ICD-11:GA6ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
HemostasisMESH:D006487,UMLS:C0019116Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
Infertility, femaleMESH:D007247,UMLS:C0021361, DOID:13589, ICD-11:GA31Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
Urogenital systemMESH:D014566,UMLS:C0042066Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
Uterine diseasesMESH:D014591,UMLS:C0042131, DOID:345, ICD-11:GA1YPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
Uterine hemorrhageMESH:D014592,UMLS:C0042134, ICD-11:GA16.3Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I