James Odell, OMD, ND, L.Ac
Ashoka is one of the most ancient sacred and medicinal trees of India. Known by many names in different languages, it is commonly called “Ashok briksh”, or simply “Ashoka”, which means “without sorrow”, or “that which gives no grief.” 1 It belongs to the family Caesalpiniaceae subfamily of the legume. 2 The medicinal parts used are the bark, seeds, and flowers. Thus, all parts of this tree are considered pharmacologically important and have especially been used to manage various disorders. It is used as spasmogenic, oxytocic, uterotonic, anti-bacterial, anti-implantation, anti-tumor, anti- pregestational, antiestrogenic activity against menorrhagia, and anti-cancer. 3
History
The Ashoka tree has been mentioned in some of the oldest Indian texts and has been
regarded as a panacea. Ayurvedic texts from the medieval period till recent times have
described the numerous beneficial uses of Ashoka. The classical Ayurvedic treatise
Charaka Samhita (1000 BC) describes its effectiveness as an analgesic and astringent as
well as in skin diseases, including leprosy. 4 The treatise of Susruta Samhita (500 BC)
describes its uses in female reproductive disorders, as well as in fever, neurological
disorders, snake bites, and eye diseases. The renowned Ayurvedic author and doctor
Vāgbhata (6th century AD) described the use of its seeds in cough. The Ayurvedic
text Dhanvantari Nighantu (9th century AD) recorded the use of Ashoka as a cooling
agent, aromatic and cardiac tonic with curing effects for wounds, ulcers, hemorrhoids,
and bone fractures. In the Chakradatta, a text from the 11th century, the bark of Ashoka is prescribed for severe bleeding. It also mentions the ingestion of seeds in the case of urine flow obstruction due to kidney stones. The legendary Indian text, Ramayana also mentions the medicinal virtues of the Ashoka tree. 5
Ashoka is especially sacred to the Hindu god of Love, Kamadeva, for whom it is worshipped every year on December 27 th . Historically, married women in India are known to eat Ashoka flower buds as a ritual to invoke deities for child protection as well as treat gynecological problems. Natives in India wear root pieces of Ashoka as herbal rosary for mental tranquility. 6, 7, 8
Habitat
The Ashoka tree grows throughout India up to an altitude of 750 meters, particularly
in the Central and Eastern Himalayas and the Khasi, Garo, and Lushai hills. It is also
found in the Andaman Islands. 9 As a wild tree, the Ashoka is a vulnerable species. It is
becoming rarer in its natural habitat, but isolated wild Ashoka trees are still to be found in the foothills of the central and eastern Himalayas, in scattered locations of the northern plains of India as well as on the west coast of the subcontinent near Mumbai. It is also cultivated in gardens throughout India for its beautiful flowers. 10, 11
Morphology
Reaching a final height of 7–10 meters, this evergreen and deciduous tree displays a
profuse branching pattern with paripinnate leaves and orange to scarlet fragrant
flowers arranged in dense lateral corymbs. 12
Constituents
Its bark is bitter, astringent, and sweet in taste. The bark contains catechol, sterol, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, leucopetargonidin and leucocyanidin, (-) epicatechin, procyanidin p2, 11'deoxyprocyanidin B, leucoperalgonidin and leucocyanidin. 13
Additionally, its dried bark contains five lignin glycosides, lyoniside, nudiposide, 5-
methoxy-9βxylopyranosyl-(–) isolariciresinol, icariside E3 and schizandriside and three
flavonoids epicatechin, epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin and procyanidin B2,
together with βsitosterolglucoside. 14 Its flower contains oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and
stearic acids, P-sitosterol, quercetin, kaempferol-3-O-P-D-glucoside,apigenin-7-O-p-
D-glucoside,Pelargonidin 3,5diglucoside, cyanidin-3, leucocyanidin, and gallic acid.
Four anthrocyanin pigments have been isolated from flowers; beta and alpha sitosterol
are isolated from the oil of flowers. Seeds and pods contain oleic, linoleic, palmitic,
and stearic acids catechol, (-) epicatechol, and leucocyanidin. 15, 16, 17
Medicinal Uses
Gynecological Conditions
The bark is rich in flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides that work as a uterine sedative
that has a direct impact on the fibers present in the muscles of the uterus. It has a
stimulating effect on endometrial and ovarian tissue. The bark also contains natural
phytoestrogens which help to regulate the menstrual cycle, stimulating the uterus to
normalize menstrual flow. 18
Bark extracts are useful in internal bleeding, hemorrhoids, ulcers, uterine affections,
and menorrhagia especially due to uterine fibroids, leucorrhea, ovarian cysts, and
certain skin eruptions -acne. Women of Chhattisgarh boil the bark of Ashoka in cow's
milk, add sugar, and consume it once a day for three days and repeat the course after
three months to prevent gynecological disorders. It is also traditionally used to
encourage urine flow and thus helps in treating conditions that cause painful
urination, such as urinary tract infections. 20
In general, Ashoka can be effectively used to aid several uncomfortable menstrual
disorders such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), amenorrhea (absent periods),
dysmenorrhea (painful periods), and menorrhagia (heavy and prolonged menstrual
bleeding).
Menopause
The presence of quercetin, beta-sitosterol, and luteolin, phytoestrogens support
healthy hormonal function during the transition into menopause. Furthermore, it can
aid the healthy production of estrogen and progesterone when it is needed. Thus, the
hormonal balance that is promoted by this tree makes it effective against many
menopause symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood
swings, and weight gain. 19
Infertility
Ashoka is considered particularly effective for female infertility and endometriosis.
Ashoka is one of the key herbal remedies used by traditional healers of India to treat
“reproductive disorders”. 20 The success of Ashoka in the treatment of infertility in
women may be linked to the herb’s ability to successfully treat endometriosis - one of
the leading causes of infertility in women.
Other Benefits
Whilst Ashoka primarily is used to support female health throughout each stage of
their reproductive lives, other benefits include: 21
Anti-inflammatory – especially effective for the heart, Ashoka has been shown to
protect cardiac tissues from infiltration by inflammatory cells.
Sleep Aid - The bark and seeds of Ashoka help to relax an overactive central nervous
system, helping to reduce the time it takes to drop off to sleep. The quality and
duration of sleep can be improved due to the presence of certain flavonoids,
glycosides, and tannins.
Skin Health - The root, bark, and seeds of Ashoka are useful in the treatment of skin
conditions including eczema, acne, dermatitis, herpes scabies, and psoriasis. It is also
widely used to rejuvenate the complexion.
Ashoka Dosage
The following are traditional dosages of Ashoka. It is highly recommended to consult a health care practitioner familiar with Ashoka usage before consumption. Dosage should be individually tailored.
Ashoka Powder
Take ¼ -½ teaspoon of Ashoka bark powder. Add honey or water to it and take it
preferably after meals for a better result.
Ashoka Capsule
Take 1-2 capsules of Ashoka extract daily; swallow it with water preferably after meals.
Ashoka Tablet
Take 1-2 tablets of Ashoka extract daily; swallow it with water preferably after meals.
The Mythical Ashoka Tree Story
The Ashoka tree plays an important role in the Ramayana, a Sanskrit epic from
ancient India. It is the tree under which Sita spends her days after being
abducted by Ravana. Sita – the wife of Rama (the prince of Ayodhya and an avatar
of the god Vishnu) is seized by the evil Ravana (King of the Demons) and imprisoned
in Lanka, until she is rescued by Rama, who slays her captor. It is under the tree
where she meets Hanuman (the monkey), that brings her news of Rama’s
rescue.
Here is an ancient Ramayana legend behind the Ashoka tree.
Sashoka was a feared cannibal. He would roam the jungles every day and
attack any travelers he found and eat them. One day, he spotted a hut near
the edge of the forest. Outside it, there was a sage meditating. Surprised by
how still the sage sat, Sashoka went up to him and asked, “You are at such
peace!” “Why am I not like you?”
“Who are you son?” asked the sage, opening his eyes. “What do you want?”
“I am Sashoka, a cannibal” he replied. “I kill people and roast them for food. People
fear me and I derive pleasure from that. But you…you are at such peace with the
world. I want to be like you.
The sage replied, “Live out your life in penance and prayer,” “Your time will come
and in your next life you will be born as a tree in Lanka where Sita, the abducted wife
of Rama will take refuge under your shade.”
Sashoka’s eyes lit up as he wiped his tears. “One day,” the sage continued, “Hanuman,
the monkey, will come in search of Sita. He will sit upon your branches as he conveys
Rama’s message to his wife. Upon hearing his words, Sita’s suffering and sorrow will
cease. At that moment, your sins will be washed away too, and your grief will forever
disappear. You will be known as Asoka, the tree that takes away grief!” Hence it is that
the Ashoka tree, under whose deep green foliage and lovely scarlet flowers, Sita took
refuge, is associated with the absence of sorrow.
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