Rasa (Taste)
Tikta, Kashaya
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Vasa (Malabar Nut)
Habit- perennial under shrub.
Medicinal Plant
Vasa (Malabar Nut)
Adhatoda vasica NESS. · Acanthaceae
Habit- perennial under shrub.
Scientific Name
Adhatoda vasica NESS.
Family
Acanthaceae
Hindi Name
Adusa
Used Part
Root, leaves, flowers.
Botanical Description
About the Vasa Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Habit- perennial under shrub. Stem- herbaceous above, woody below, branched. Leaves- simple, opposite, lanceolate, glabrous. Inflorescene - racemose, a terminal spike. Flower white in colour. Fruit is Capsule.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu, Ruksha
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Kapha Pittahara
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Sheeta
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Kanthya (good for throat), Kandughna (useful in itching), Hridya (cardio-tonic), Kusthaghna (useful in skin disorders), Krimighna (anti-helminthic), Atisarahara (ant-diarrhoeal), Arshoghna (anti-haemorrhoidal), Grahi (reduces excessive secretions), Pachana.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Anti-Microbial, Anti-ulcer, Heptoprotective, Anti-oxidant.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Vascisine, beta-Sitosterol, Tritriacontane, Vasicinone, Adhatodine, Vitamin C, Vasicinol, Vasakin.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Vasa
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Raktapitta - powder of flower with honey is given in bleeding disorders.
02
Rasayana - for rejuvenation leaves juice with sankha powder, or bilva juice is given.
03
Atisara - juice of leaves and flowers is beneficial in Diarrhoea.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Vasa is a key ingredient.
- Vasa Ghrita, Vasarista, Vasakantakari Leha, Vasa Avaleha, Vasamooladi Taila.
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
वासा वातकृत् रूक्षः कफपित्तास्र नाशनः ॥ तिक्तरूक्षोऽर्कको हृद्यः लघुशीतरुचिजित् । श्वास कास ज्वर छर्दिमूर्छा तृष्णापहः ॥ (भा.प्र)