Adulsa-An Excellent Ayurvedic Herb to Treat Your Breathing Disorder!!!!

Adulsa(Adhathoda vasica), also known as vasaka, is distributed all over the plains of India & in lower Himalayan ranges, ascending to a height of 1.5 m. The plant has been recommended by Ayurvedic physicians for the management of various types of respiratory disorders. It possesses potent bronchodilatory, expectorant, anti-spasmodic and anti-septic properties. It also possesses significant antimicrobial activity against gingival inflammation and pyorrhea. It has also shown Uterine stimulant activity, moderate hypotensive activity and thrombopoeitic activity. The leaves of the plant contain two major alkaloids called vasicine and vasicinone which are responsible for its medicinal properties. The bronchodilatory & expectorant properties of the leaves are attributed to vasicine. Recent investigations on vasicine showed bronchodilatory activity comparable to theophylline, which is a methylxanthine drug used in therapy for respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma.

Medicinal use of Adulsa:
1. The juice from the leaves and the decoction of the leaves and roots are helpful in asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs and breathlessness.
2. It is commonly used for bleeding disorders, local bleeding due to peptic ulcer, piles, menorrhagia. It provides relief in pyorrhoea and for bleeding gums when applied locally.
3. It relieves muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions due to its antispasmodic property.
4. It is used for stimulating contraction of the uterine muscle, facilitating or speeding up childbirth.
5. It is also used for lowering blood pressure in mildly hypertensive patients..

Caution:It is contra-indicated in pregnant women due to its abortificient property. Hence should not be used by pregnant women and those trying to conceive.