Information About The Herb Adhatoda Vasica

General Information

Botanical Name: Adhatoda vasica, Justicia adhatoda

Common Name: Adatodai, Arusa, Adulsa, Bakas, Malabar Nut Tree

Plant Family: Acanthaceae

Origin: A small evergreen, sub-herbacious bush which grows commonly in open plains, especially in the lower Himalayas (up to 1300 meters above sea level), India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Malaysia.

History: Adhatoda leaves have been used extensively in Ayurvedic Medicine for over 2000 years primarily for respiratory disorders.

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Plant Constituents

Contains:

Leaves

• Quinazoline Alkaloids
• vasicine - 45-95% (the mucolytic drug bromhexine was developed from this alkaloid)
• N-oxides of vasicine
• vasicinone
• deoxyvasicine
• oxyvasicinine
• maiontone
• essential oil

Flowers

• b-sitosterol-D-glucoside
• kaempferol
• glycosides of kaempferoland
• queretin

Roots

• vasicinolone
• vasicol
• peganine
• hydroxy oxychalcone
• glucosyl oxychalcone

Other

• odorous volatile principle
• organic adhatodic acid

Dosage:

Recommended dosage is as follows:

• 0.5-1.5g/day dried root
• 1-3mL/day 1:2 fluid extract

Higher doses may be needed for the oxytocic effect during childbirth [to stimulate contraction of the uterine muscle, facilitating or speeding up childbirth]

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Usage

Adhatoda Vasica was used by traditional midwives at the time of delivery.

Medicinal Part used: Leaves, roots, flowers and stem bark

Adhatoda vasica is commonly used for:

• Blood Conditions
• bleeding due to idiopathic (unknown) thrombocytopenic (blood does not have enough platelets) purpura (excessive bruising)

Cardiovascular Conditions

• moderate hypotensive activity (lowers blood pressure)
• pulmonary diseases

Female Conditions

• assists uterine involution (rolling or turning inward)
• menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding)
• postpartum (after childbirth) hemorrhage
• uterine stimulant activity

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• dyspepsia
• local bleeding due to peptic ulcer and/or piles (hemorrhoids)

Respiratory Tract Conditions

• acute and chronic bronchitis often combined with the herbs Licorice and Marshmallow for soothing the respiratory tract
• allergic asthma, often combined with the herbs Albizia, Baical Skullcap, Eyebright and Tylophora
• antihistamine effects (the leaves may be dried and smoked to relieve asthma)
• broncho-dilation effects
• emphysema
• obstructive airway disease (chronic) often combined with the herbs Polygala, Grindelia, Euphorbia and Elecampane
• phthisis (wasting of the body as in tuberculosis)
• relieves cough and breathlessness

Other Conditions

• bleeding gums (applied locally)
• diphtheria
• gives relief in pyorrhoea, a gum disease (applied locally)
• intermittent fever
• Tuberculosis (all strains of inhibited by the essential oil)
• typhus fever

Action:

• abortifacient [an agent that induces or causes premature expulsion of a fetus (abortion)]
• anti-asthmatic [an agent to relieve asthma]
• antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
• antitussive [an agent that relieves coughing]
• bronchodilator [an agent to dilate the bronchials]
• expectorant [an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous and secretions from the respiratory passages]
• febrifuge [an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]
• mucolytic [an agent that thins and breaks down mucus]
• oxytocic [an agent that stimulates contraction of the uterine muscle, facilitating or speeding up childbirth]
• uterotonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates the uterus or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]

The leaf extract, is considered safe and the oil has low toxicity.

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Precautions

Caution:

• Contraindicated in pregnancy except at during the birthing process
• Adhatoda vasica is reported to have oxytocic (stimulates contractions of the uterus) and abortifacient (substance that induces abortion) effects.

Large doses cause

• diarrhea
• irritation of the alimentary canal
• vomiting

Drug Interactions:

Do not use Adhatoda without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:

• None indicated

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Products

Global Herbal Supplies has Adhatoda vasica available in the following forms:

• Adhatoda Liquid Herbal Extract

Research

Articles

Information given by our website  is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.

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