Vasa
- Botanical Name: Adhatoda vasica Nees
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Synonyms: Vasaka, Adusa, Arusha, Rus, Bansa
- Vernacular Name: Commonly known as “Malabar Nut” in English, “Adusa” in Hindi,
and “Adalodakam” in Malayalam.
- Classification: A perennial shrub belonging to the Acanthaceae family.
- Habitat: Found abundantly throughout India and other tropical and subtropical regions. It
thrives in well-drained soils and is often seen in wastelands and forested areas.
- Morphology: A shrub with lance-shaped leaves (8–10 cm long), oppositely arranged with
smooth edges. The flowers are white, dense, and arranged in spikes, resembling the mouth of
a lion. The fruits are pubescent, club-shaped capsules.
- Useful Parts: Leaves, roots, flowers, and the whole plant.
- Chemical Composition: Contains alkaloids like vasicine and vasicinone, along with
tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and essential oils.
- Pharmacological Action: Known for its bronchodilator, expectorant, antimicrobial, anti
inflammatory, and hypoglycemic properties. It is widely used in treating respiratory disorders
like asthma, cough, and bronchitis, as well as bleeding disorders and skin ailments.
- Formulation: Used in Ayurvedic preparations like Vasa Ghrita, Vasarishta, Vasakantakari
Leha, and Vasa Avaleha.
Rasa: Tikta , kasaya
Guna: Laghu , Ruksha
Virya: Sheeta
Vipaka: Katu