Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses of Vasaka/Malabar Nut

Aada Thoda or Vasaka is an effective Ayurvedic medicinal plant that contains powerful medicinal values to treat many diseases. 

It is an effective remedy for various health conditions such as cold, cough, bronchitis, asthma, breathing difficulties, sore throat, other respiratory diseases, and bleeding diseases. 

The part of this plant contains alkaloids that help to improve your respiratory system, reduce blood pressure, heart diseases, etc. 

It has been widely used in Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy medicines since ancient times. The leaves of Vasaka is an effective remedy for digestion-related diseases, and it stimulates your digestion system. The leaves contain anti-fungal properties that help to treat skin diseases.

About Vasaka

Vasaka is a tall, evergreen tree that grows up to 4 m tall. It is botanically known as Adathoda Vasica, and it belongs to the Acanthaceae family. 

It is native to Asia and widely found in many countries. It generally grows in shaded or semi-shaded regions and grows well in dry, tropical forest areas. 

The leaves of this plant are 10-30 cm long and 3-10 cm wide that have light greyish brown color and bitter taste. Vasaka has beautiful purple streaked white flowers. 

It contains small capsule fruits that are 2.5 cm long and have four seeds. The root of this plant is woody, hard, and cylindrical in shape. 

The bark of this plant is yellow in color. Malabar Nut is one of the main ingredients used to prepare herbal medicines since ancient times. 

It is an effective remedy to treat respiratory problems and fights against infections related to respiratory and helps to treat asthma.

Nutritional Facts of Vasaka / Malabar Nut

Vasaka contains rich amounts of bioactive components such as Luteolin, Vasakin, Alkaloid Vasicine, Carotene, etc. that helps to provide effective treatments for many diseases. 

The leaves of Vasaka contain numerous phytochemical constituents such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, alkaloids, and saponins that provide powerful medicinal properties. 

Every part of this plant contains different medicinal values and helps to treat various health conditions. However, Malabar Nut is an excellent remedy for respiratory disorders.

Common Names of Vasaka (Malabar Nut):

Botanical Name: Adathoda Vasica
English Name: Malabar Nut
Tamil Name: Aada thoda ilai
Malayalam Name: Adalodakam, Adarooshaka
Telugu Name: Adamkabu, Adampaka, Addasaram
Kannada Name: Adusogae
Hindi Name: Adosa, Arusha, Bansa
Marathi Name: Adulsa
Bengali Name: Adulsa, Vasok, Bakash
Gujarati Name: Adulso, Aduraspee, Bansa

Medicinal Properties of Vasaka (Malabar Nut)

• Anti-inflammatory
• Bronchodilator
• Antitussive
• Anti-asthmatic
• Antioxidant
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-allergic
• Expectorant
• Antispasmodic
• Anthelmintic
• Antihemorrhagic
• Anti-microbial
• Anti-fungal
• Abortifacient
• Antiseptic
• Anti-viral
• Mild Sedative
• Appetite stimulant
• Hepatoprotective
• Anti-ulcer
• Mild Anti-hypertensive
• Wound healing

Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses of Vasaka / Malabar Nut

Malabar Nut is an effective medicinal plant that is widely used to treat respiratory disorders. Every part of this plant contains numerous medicinal values to treat various diseases. 

It is popularly known in Ayurvedic medicines to treat cold, cough, and bronchitis. It is an excellent herb that fights against the bacterial infections and treats throat issues. 

The bioactive components present in Vasaka provide effective treatment for several diseases. The leaves of this plant contain powerful properties to treat fungal and skin infections. Other significant health benefits of Malabar Nut are as follows.

Treats Respiratory Diseases

Vasaka contains powerful anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties that help to fight against the bacterial infections and protect your respiratory system. 

It is mainly used in Ayurveda to treat fever, cold, cough, respiratory tract disorders. Vasaka is the most important ingredient in various herbal formulations in Ayurveda. 

The formulations of vasica effectively help to manage the infections that occur in the upper respiratory system.

Relieves Cold & Cough

The chronic cold, cough, and congested throat lead to other severe symptoms, and it affects the duration of good sleep. It contains powerful antibiotics, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat the symptoms of common cough, cold, and fever. 

It helps to decrease the nasal and chest congestions and provides great relief from excess sputum. Vasaka is an effective remedy to treat asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases. 

The antitussive property present in Vasaka helps to treat cough effectively. It also contains effective anti-viral properties that help to fight against viral infections. 

Consuming the decoction prepared by using Malabar nut leaves and honey provide great relief from respiratory disorders.

Treats Bronchitis

Bronchitis occurs due to the chronic inflammations in bronchial tubes. It causes nasal air blockages because the bronchial tubes are blocked due to the chronic inflammation and excessive mucus deposition. 

Malabar nut contains a powerful mild bronchodilator property that helps to remove the mucus deposition and clears air passage by decreasing inflammation in the bronchial tubes. 

Moreover, it decreases cough, nasal and chest congestion, and cures breathing difficulties. Consuming 20 ml of juice prepared by the leaves of Vasaka and 250 mg of Black Salt helps to remove the thickened sputum easily.

Improves Gut Health

Malabar Nut contains a powerful digestive stimulant that helps to improve your gut health. It helps to stimulate the secretion of enzymes in your digestive system and improves the nutrient absorption in your guts. 

It contains appetite and carminative stimulant actions that help to break down the food particles in your stomach and gut. 

Vasaka effectively helps to remove the gas formation and decreases bloating, abdominal distention, and gaseous cramps. It provides excellent relief for various gastrointestinal diseases such as dyspepsia, flatulence, acidity, heartburn, etc. 

Consuming the mixture of 2 teaspoons of Vasaka juice and 1/2 teaspoon of ginger juice two times per day in the morning and evening provides great relief.

Treats Asthma

Vasaka is an effective remedy to treat asthma. The powerful anti-inflammatory property of Vasaka helps to treat asthma by decreasing inflammation in the lungs and air passages. 

It contains an effective compound called Vasicine, which is an excellent bronchodilator. It effectively helps to make the breathing process easy and decreases wheezing occurs due to asthma. 

Consuming the 5 ml juice of Vasaka leaf with 2.5 ml ginger juice and one teaspoon of honey provides great relief from asthma.

Prevents Uremia 

Uremia is the condition that occurs due to the extreme level of urea and nitrogenous wastes in blood. It also occurs due to chronic renal failure and acute renal infection. 

Thus, it is difficult to remove the toxins from the blood. The decoction of Vasaka root is very effective in reducing the level of urea and toxin wastes in your blood. 

It stimulates the excretion of urea and nitrogenous wastes via urine. Consuming 50 ml decoction of Vasaka on an empty stomach is very beneficial in treating the beginning stage of chronic renal failure. 

Vasaka is an effective natural blood purifier and powerful cardiac tonic. It maintains the level of blood pressure, increases the blood level, and prevents heart disorders. 

Vasaka contains powerful anti-fibrinolytic and anti-coagulant actions that help to prevent the formation of clots in heart and heart blocks.

Helps in Ulcer

The powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties present in Vasaka provide effective treatment for ulcers. 

The leaves of Vasaka effectively helps to decrease swelling and inflammation around the ulceration area. It is an effective remedy to treat peptic and duodenal ulcers. It is also used as a great remedy for bleeding disorders in Ayurvedic medicines.

Relieves Throat Pain & Sore Throat

Throat pain, sore throat, and tonsillitis occur commonly in many people due to the changes in climate. Malar nut contains powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that effectively fight against the bacterias and microbes that cause infections. 

It decreases inflammation, redness, and pain in your throat. Consuming the Vasaka leaves with Punarnava Churna, and Sitopaldi Churna provides great relief for the patients affected with post nasal drip or discharge.

Relieves Joint Pain

Joint pain is one of the common problems that affects many people. The joint pain may occur due to the increased level of uric acid, and Vasaka is an excellent remedy to decrease the uric acid level. 

The anti-inflammatory property of Vasaka helps to decrease the inflammation and pains in joints. It effectively helps to decrease pain and tenderness due to gout. 

Applying Vasaka externally as a poultice provides great relief for rheumatic pain, bleeding wounds, and inflamed joints.

Treats Excessive Bleeding

Excessive bleeding is a condition that occurs due to hormonal changes in women during the menstrual period. Vasaka is an effective herb that provides effective treatment for excessive bleeding. 

The extract of Vasaka leaves is an effective remedy to get relief from all types of bleeding. Take 5-6 leaves, extract the fresh juice, and drink it two times per day in both morning and evening. 

Consuming 50 ml Vasaka decoction or 10 ml Vasaka juice with 10 g of Misri powder provides better results. The combination of Vasaka and Chandraprabha Vati improves the uterine functions.

Treats Sinusitis & Sinus Infections

The powerful anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties of Vasaka help to fight against the sinus infections and inflammations. It helps to decrease the sinus blockages and eliminates fluid and pus from the nasal.

Reduces Bleeding Gums

The leaves of Malabar nut is an effective remedy to cure bleeding gums. Make a paste using the Vasaka leaves and rub it on your gums. 

It effectively helps to fight against the microbes that cause infections and provides great relief from bleeding gums. It also strengthens your gums.

Treats Acidity, Dyspepsia & Gastritis 

Vasaka is an effective remedy to treat gastritis, dyspepsia, and acidity problems. It decreases the formations of acid in your stomach. 

According to the research, it is found that Vasaka effectively decreases total and free HCL in the patients who have gastritis, non-dyspepsia, and hyperacidity. Consuming Vasaka improves your digestive system by eliminating gas in the intestines.

Prevents Infections

Malabar Nut contains various powerful properties such as anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti-microbial properties that effectively help to reduce the infections. 

The bioactive components present in Vasaka improves your immune system and decreases bacterial infections. 

It prevents infections due to bacterias such as tuberculosis, flu, dengue, etc. and also prevents the various skin infections.

Treats Skin Diseases

Vasaka is an effective remedy to treat all kinds of skin diseases. It contains an excellent cooling effect naturally, so the juice of Vasaka is used as a poultice externally to treat all skin infections. Make a paste using Vasaka leaves and apply it on the affected area to get better results.

Eliminates Phlegm

Vasaka effectively helps to eliminate phlegm in adults. Take 6-7 Vasaka leaves and boil them with a cup of water. After it boils, add a small piece of dry ginger in the mixture. Filter them and drink by mixing pure honey for three days in the morning.

Other Traditional Uses & Vasaka Benefits 

• Malabar Nut is an effective herb to treat cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory-related diseases.
• Since ancient times, the leaves and roots of Vasaka have been widely used in Ayurveda and Unani medicines to treat fever, bronchitis, asthma, and jaundice.
• The extract of Vasaka leaves is effectively used to treat dysentery, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach problems.
• Vasaka contains powerful expectorant activity that effectively helps to treat bronchitis.
• It protects the liver and improves the liver functions.
• Vasaka is an effective remedy to reduce the symptoms of heart diseases.
• Vasaka effectively cures the breathing difficulties and makes you comfortable.
• Vasaka is an excellent remedy to treat urinary tract infections.
• It decreases the high blood pressure and maintains the level of blood sugar.
• The paste prepared from the leaves of Malabar nut can be applied externally to cure swelling and inflammation.
• The crushed Vasaka leaves are effectively used to treat various skin diseases and worm infections.
• The flowers of Vasaka used to cure burning sensation, gonorrhea, and stomach upset.
• Consuming the leaf juice of Vasaka helps to clear the blockages in the bronchial tube and decreases inflammation.
• Smoke the dried Vasaka leaf provides great relief from Asthma.
• Boil the Vasaka leaf powder in the sesame oil and use as ear drops for earaches and staunch bleeding.

Vasaka Dosage

Dosage of Vasaka can vary from person to person based on the age, condition, severity, and formulations. Vasaka can be used in different formulations. It is better to consult your doctor’s advice before taking Vsaka because they will check your body and condition and prescribe the perfect dosage. The general dosage of different Vasaka formulations is as follows.

Vasaka Leaves Powder	1-3 gms
Vasaka Leaf Juice	5-10 ml
Vasaka Flower Powder	250-1000 mg
Vasaka Leaf Decoction	Prepare using 5 gms of leaf powder
Vasaka Root Powder	250-500 mg

Vasaka Side Effects

Vasaka is safe to consume in the proper dosage. It is an effective Ayurvedic herb that has no side effects when consumed in the medicinal form. However, it may cause some effects when consuming large amounts. Thus, it is better to consult your doctor before taking Vasaka.

Pregnancy & Lactation

According to the research, it is found that the extract of Vasaka leaf contains Alkaloid Vasicine. In Ayurveda, the Malabar Nut has been used to decrease vomiting, nausea, and acidity during pregnancy. Thus, it is safe to consume during pregnancy & lactation in short-term use. The long-term usage is not recommended.

Conclusion

Vasaka is an effective herb that contains rich amounts of nutrients that provide powerful properties. It contains lots of health benefits to treat various diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, cold, cough, sinus, improves the immune system, digestion, and blood pressure. Consuming Vasaka helps you to fight against bacterial infections like fever and promotes your body health. It is also used to treat various skin diseases.