Ashoka tree is one of the sacred and legendary trees of India. Asoka is one of the important medicinal trees. The tree is revered by Buddhists, Hindus and Jains. The tree’s medicinal importance has been inscribed in various Ayurvedic scriptures. All parts of the tree are used in medicine.
Ayurveda has made the best use of Ashoka tree. The Ayurvedic properties of Ashoka are soothing, cooling, dry and pungent. The meaning of the word Ashoka means the a person without any worries. The botanical name of Ashoka tree is Saraca indica. Various health benefits of Ashoka tree are discussed in this article.
Health Benefits of Ashoka
Some medicinal benefits of Ashoka are as follows:
- Menstruation — The bark of the tree is used to cure excessive loss of blood during menstruation in presence of leucorrhea, uterine fibroids and other reasons. The bark is taken as a decoction and used as a substitute for a dried fungus, Ergot used to cure the uterine hemorrhgaes.
- Dysentery — For treatment of dysentery, decoction is used. Fluid extract of Ashoka flowers is used to treat hemorrhagic dysentery. This fluid is prepared by grinding its flowers with water. The extract is taken in the doses of 15 to 60 drops.
- Diabetes — Dried flowers of Ashoka are used for diabetes treatment.
- Piles — Bark of the tree is used for cure of internal piles. Decoction prepared from bark is used to cure piles.
- Insect Bite — The bark of the tree is used to treat scorpion bite.
- Complexion Enhancement — The bark of the tree is used for enhancing complexion.
- Blood Purification — Ashoka is used to prepare Ayurvedic tonics to purify blood.
- Worms Infestation — The leaves and bark are used to get rid of worms in stomach.
Ashokarishta is an Ayurvedic preparation from Ashoka tree to cure various diseases in women. It reduces excessive bleeding, leucorrhea and headache. The above are some of the health benefits of Ashoka.
