Common Name: Asoka tree
Nepali/ Sanskrit Name: Ashoka
Other Name: ASOKA, SOKANASA, KARNAPURAKAH, VISOKA, RAKTAKA, RAGI, CITRA, SADPADAMANJARI, HEMAPUSPA, VANJULA, TAMRAPALLAVAH, KANKELI, PINDAPUSPA, GANDHAPUSPA, NATA, ASOKAH, SOKANASAH, VANJULADRUMA, MADHUPUSPA, APASOKA, KELIKA, RAKTAPALLAVAKA, CITRA, VICITRAH, KARNAPURAKAH, SUBHAGAH, SMARADHIVASA, DOSAHARI, PRAPALLAVA, RAGITARU, RAMAVAMANGHRIGHATAKA, PALLAVADRU

Description:
A small tree, leaves compound, evergreen, forming a dense crown, leaflets 7-25 cm long, slightly leathery. Flowers bright orange colored due to colored bracts in small dense branches. Fruits 15-25 cm long, flat seeds many.

saraca asoca

Distribution: found in Terai region.

Parts used: stem, bark, flower, and, seeds.

Phytochemical properties:
Tannin, cetechin, sterol, saponin, glycoside, teroid component and a calcium salt. The bark of Saraca indica contains the estrogenic compound ketosterol.

Medicinal Properties:
Astringent, sedative, uterine stimulator

Medicinal uses:
In menses- distrubed menstrual cycle, stimulatin effect on ovarian tissues and muscular fibres of uterus, in menorrhagia, in uterine infections.
In internal bleeding, haemorrhoids, and, blood dysentery. The bark has a stimulating effect on the endometrium and ovarian tissue, is useful in menorrhagia due to uterine fibroids, in leucorrhea and in internal bleeding, where ergot is indicated. It is well established for its effectiveness in menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea. It also has a stimulatory effect on the ovarian tissue and may produce an oestrogen-like effect that enhances the repair of the endometrium and stops bleeding.

Forms of use: Decoction, powder, syrup, paste.

Dosage:
Decoction: 28-112ml
Powder: 1-3gm

Ayurvedic preparation:
Asokarista etc.