Ashoka Tree

Scientific name : Saraca Asoca

Family : Legume 

"Ashoka" means "sorrow-less"

The Ashoka is a rain-forest tree. Its original diffusion was in the central areas of the Deccan plateau, as well as the middle section of the Western Ghats in the western coastal zone of the Indian subcontinent.

The ashoka is a handsome, small, upright evergreen tree, with deep green leaves growing in dense clusters precious for its beautiful foliage and fragrant flowers. It .

Its flowering around February to April. The ashoka flowers come in heavy, rich bunches. They are bright orange-yellow in color, turning red before wilting.

The Ashoka tree is honored sacred throughout the Indian subcontinent, especially in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This tree has many legend, religious and literary associations in the region. Highly valued as well for its handsome appearance and the color and abundance of its flowers, the ashoka tree is often found in royal palace compounds and gardens as well as close to temples allover India.

Therapeutic Uses 

The Ashoka tree has many health benefits and has long been used in traditional Indian medicine as a key ingredient in various therapies and cures. Let us take a look at some of the therapeutic uses of the Ashoka herb.

• Gynecology: One of the uses of the Ashoka herb is in the treatment of menstrual disorders associated with excessive bleeding, congestion, and pain. You can make use of the benefits of the Ashoka herb when there is dysmenorrhoea, abdominal pain, and uterine spasms. The Ashoka herb benefits the endometrium and uterine muscles and this makes it effective as a uterine tonic for irregular menstrual cycles and miscarriage. It is also effectively used in Ayurveda for clearing congestion from the Medas Dhatus and Mamsa, especially when there may be leucorrhoea, endometriosis, cysts, and fibroids from excess kapha and ama in the Artava Srotas. The Ashoka herb also has a nourishing effect on the circulatory system, thereby making it an effective remedy in arrhythmia and cardiac weakness. The Ashoka herb also helps in encouraging urine flow and thus helps in treating conditions that cause painful urination.
• Dysentery: An extract of the Ashoka flower can be used to effectively treat hemorrhagic dysentery. The extract is made by grinding the flowers along with some water. Doses of 15–60 drops can be taken.
• Piles: For internal piles, the bark of the Ashoka tree can be used. To prepare the decoction, take around 90 grams of the bark and boil it in 360 ml of water and 30 ml of milk until the entire quantity reduces to around 90 grams. Two to three doses of this can be taken each day.
• Pain: The specific analgesic properties present in Ashoka can used to calm the nerves when they have been aggravated by the Vata.
• Complexion: The Ashoka herb is also said to improve the complexion of skin. This herb can be used to obtain relief from burning sensations on the skin. It also helps to get rid of the toxins from the body. The Ashoka herb is also effective in purifying the blood naturally and in preventing skin allergies.

Other Uses

The other Ashoka tree uses include treating the sting from a scorpion. The bark of the tree is used for scorpion sting treatment. Dried Ashoka flowers can be helpful in treating diabetes.

by Sam

24-07-2017.