Ashoka tree.pptx

ashoka tree benefits

1. Saraca asoca

2. Names & habitat Botanical name : Saraca asoca Family : Caesalpiniaceae Synonym : Saraca indica English : Ashoka tree Unani : Ashoka Ayurvedic : Ashoka, Hempushpa, Gandhapushpa

3. Polyanthia longifolia An ornamental roadside tree , is wrongly called Ashoka.

4. Distribution : Asoka is distributed throughout India , naturally frequent in South India , Sri Lanka , Orissa & Assam . The species also occurs in central and eastern Himalayas upto 750m altitude It is grown as avenue tree due to its foliage and fragrant flowers .

5. Botanical Description Sita Ashoka is a medium sized ( 6 -9 m ) , evergreen tree with beautiful fragrant flowers. Leaves are alternate, paripinnate , copper red when young and green when mature & 15-25cm long. Bark on old stem is dark green in colour often marked by bluish and ash white patches of lichens. Flowers are fragrant , orange or orange yellow in colour.

6. Flower and leaves

7. Fruit is 4-8 seeded , flat and black coloured. Seeds are ellipsoid – oblong & compressed . Fruit Seed

8. Part used Flower Bark

9. Part used seed Leaves

10. Temperament ( Mizaj ) Cold ( in 2 nd degree ) and dry ( in 1 st degree ) .

11. Dosage ( Miqdar-e-khorak ) Safoof : 5 gm with milk Sharbat : 20-40 ml Decoction : 10-20 gm

12. Chemical Composition BARK : It contains flavonoids , tannins , steroids , volatile oil , glycosides such as beta-sitosterol glycoside reducing sugar . LEAVES : It contains alkaloids , steroids , flavonoids , tannins , saponins , terpenoids , polyphenolics , glycosides & many carbohydrates . The anti-oxidant activity of leaf extracts is due to the presence of polyphenolics such as gallic acid and ellagic acid . FLOWERS : It contains fatty acids & gallic acid. Alcoholic extract of bark is reported to be active against wide range of bacteria .

13. action ( Afa’al ) Anti-menorrhagic Refrigerent ( Dafe atash ) Vermicidal ( Qaatil -e- deedan ) Anti- haemorrhoid ( Dafe bawasir ) Neural tonic ( Muqawwi -e- Aasaab ) Uterine tonic ( Muqawwi -e- Rahem ) Anti-abortive ( Dafe isqaat ) Sedative ( Musakkin ) Anti-inflammatory ( Mohallil-e-auram ) Astringent ( Qabiz ) Haemostatic ( Habisuddam )

14. Therapeutic uses ( Istemaal ) Ashok chhaal has been described to be useful in various ailments. It is used in many uterine diseases due to its strong haemostatic property and astringent effect on uterine muscle . It is used in menorrhagia(kasrat-e- haiz ) , uterine debility (Zofe-Rahem) , leucorrhoea ( Sailanur Rahem ) & hysteria ( Ikhtenaqur Rahem ) due to its tonic effect on uterus. The powdered bark 10 gm is mixed with milk 10 ml , then water 500 ml is added and the mixture is boiled till all the water is evaporated .The remaining extract is divided into 3 doses . Ashok chhaal – 10gm dose –decoction Extract of Ashoka flower is useful in haemorrhoids and dysentery . Liquid extract of ashok chhaal can be used in a dose of 20-60 drops . Powder of ashok chhaal in a dose of 3-5gm can also be used , this powder should be consumed along with milk for good result , twice or thrice a day .

15. Adverse effects ( Muzarrat ) Although the health benefits of Ashoka tree are numerous , pregnant women should abstain from consuming products from this tree as it might lead to complications . Stomach pain and digestive issues if any parts of the tree are utilized orally . Menstrual disturbances if women affected by amenorrhea or infrequent menstruation are making the use of this tree .

16. Formulation( murakabat ) Ashokarishta : 15-30 ml b.i.d /t.i.d Ashokkwath : 15-30ml b.i.d Seed powder : 1-3 gm b.i.d Flower powder : 1-3 gm b.i.d Ashokghirta : 5 gm b.i.d

17. Correctives ( Musleh ) Kateera Triphalla

18. Substitute ( badal ) Robusta bark

19. Recent research Analgesic activity : the leaf and bark extract of ashok like petroleum ether , chloroform , methanol and water extract was evaluated by using tail immersion method , tail flik method and formalin induced pain method in albino mice . The analgesic property of Saraca Indica has been attributed to its ability to inhibit sensory nerve stimulation . The extract of Saraca Indica relieve pain by acting on both central as well as peripheral nervous system

20. Anti-ulcer activity : The aqueous suspension of Saraca Asoka flowers produced anti-ulcer potential activity either by inhibition of basal gastric secretion or stimulation of mucus secretions . .

21. Uterine tonic activity : U-3107 is a herbal preparation which is formulated by using various plant extract and is useful various menstrual disorders like puberty , menorrhoea , dysmenorrhoea , premenstrual syndrome , abnormal bleeding and threaten abortion . Ashoka used as uterine tonic in menstrual cycle pain Ashoka used for various Gynaecological problem

22. Anti-cancer activity : The antioxidant actions of Ashoka tree make it a potential anti-cancer drug , which functions by inducing apoptosis or programmed cell death . Particular effects have been against skin cancer . The anti-cancer activity of Ashoka are most pronounced against breast cancer as it inhibits the proliferation of cancerous cells due to the induction of apoptosis.

23. Anti-microbial activity : It possesses anti-bacterial activity on agar plate with different organisms such as Bacillus subtilis , Salmonella typhosa , Staphylococcus aureus & plant pathogens .

24. Anti-diabetic & Hypo-lipidemic activity The flavonoid fraction of Saraca asoca flower and leaves has been shown to inhibit alpha-glucosidase & alpha-amylase enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes & also prevent LDL oxidation . The studies have also been reported that ashok extract lower lipid and cholesterol & reduced elevated glucose levels in a dose dependent manner in albino rats & mice .