Ashoka Tree – Benefits, Usage & More

Ashoka tree – scientifically known as Saraca Asoca is a popular Indian tree with great significance. Having the importance of cultural traditions, the Ashoka tree is highly valuable for its beautiful, rich, and dense foliage and fragrant flowers. Let’s find more.

Basic Information About Ashoka Tree

The Ashoka tree is widely used for the bark, sheets, and is found across the Indian subcontinent. It is a holy traditional Indian tree. But in other parts of the world, it is also grown for medicinal purposes. The Ashoka tree is cultivated other than its mythological relevance for the health benefits.

There are important advantages for your skin, which is derived from this plant’s leaves and bark. Ashoka also offers direct advantages due to its herbal qualities. Also, it is used in a variety of pharmacological products because of its medicinal properties as a common constituent.

Some Important Points To Know About Ashoka Tree:

1. Scientific name: Saraca asoca
2. Family: Fabaceae
3. Common name: ashoka tree, ashok tree, ashok ka ped
4. Native region and geographic distribution: The Ashoka tree is native to India, and it is commonly found growing along the Deccan plateau, the middle parts of the western ghats, and the foothills of the Himalayas. It’s also strewn through northern India, with a concentration near Mumbai’s western coast.
5. Parts used: Bark, leaves and flowers

Impressive Health Benefits Of Ashoka Tree And Medicinal Uses

In India, the Ashoka tree is not only a sacred and traditional herb but it is also used as a medicinal tree. Its leaves and bark are used in traditional, herbal, and alternative medicine. However, there is ample empirical evidence to support these long-held beliefs. So, here are some of the tree’s and its leaves’ evidence-based advantages and uses:

• Ashoka Tree For Fever 

The evergreen Ashoka tree is valued for its ornamental flowers and medicinal properties. Traditional herbs and remedies are often used to treat fever, which is an increase in body temperature caused by infection or disease. Though Ashoka bark is a popular natural product, it is much more useful in various ways.

As shown by scientific evidence, the conventional solution is still effective.

Several lab experiments have been conducted to investigate the antipyretic effects of this tree, and it has been discovered that the flavonoids found in the species are responsible for this action. The use of Ashoka seeds at a dosage of 500 mg per kilogramme of body weight may demonstrate this effect. The use of this treatment not only helped to reduce fever, but also had a long-lasting effect. Unlike aspirin, which is commonly used to reduce fever, Ashoka leaves allow for a 5-hour reduction in body temperature, while aspirin only allows for a 4-hour reduction.

• Ashoka Tree For The Skin

When the Ashoka tree is used topically, various parts have distinct advantages. The Ashoka tree has been linked to the treatment of a variety of skin disorders, including psoriasis, according to research.

The tree is effective against freckles and skin inflammation when applied externally as a paste made from its roots. Ulcers and other skin disorders may also be treated with this paste. Sections of this tree are used to monitor symptoms of more serious skin conditions. The Ashoka tree can help people with eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis relieve itching, which is a common symptom of these conditions.

• Ashoka Tree Leaves Against Cancer

Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of atypical cells, which has a proclivity to spread to distant and nearby body structures. Cancer has the potential to affect all of the body’s systems if left untreated. Traditional trees and herbs are commonly used for their anti-cancer properties and are thought to have fewer side effects than conventional cancer therapy. This use has been attributed to their antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties.

Antioxidants are compounds that battle free radicals and thus help to reduce oxidative stress and damage in the body. The aggressive actions of free radicals or reactive oxygen species on the body have been linked to the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases and disorders, including cancer. Antioxidants, according to researchers, help to control the action of these reactive species, lowering the risk of these diseases. Because of its chemical composition, the Ashoka tree has been shown to have significant cancer-fighting properties. It also aids in the induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death), allowing for the possible reduction of cancer cells.

• Ashoka Tree Against Breast Cancer 

Female breast cancer is one of the common cancers and after menopause, it mainly affects women. Breast cancer, although deadly, has a positive prognosis if diagnosed and treated early. Although chemotherapy and surgery are widely used to treat cancerous growth in the breast, scientists have discovered that the use and supplementation of natural products can be beneficial.

Many studies have been carried out and the anti-cancer activity of the Ashoka tree was found to be mainly due to its antioxidant potential. The presence of bioactive compounds such as phenol synthesis in leaves is reported to have a high antioxidant potential. It works by facilitating cell death by the apoptosis mechanism. Ashoka leaves have prospective anti-proliferative effects as medicinal products for breast cancer.

• Ashoka Tree Bark For Women

The Ashoka tree, particularly the reproductive tree, is immensely useful to women. It helps in the management of a range of menstrual cycle-related problems. This tree’s bark is extremely beneficial in regulating menstrual disturbances in women and is effective against excessive bleeding. It also helps to relieve pain due to dysmenorrhoea during the menstrual cycle. Other than relieving pain during bleeding, this bark may be used to control uterine spasms and abdominal cramps experienced by women during menstruation. It may also benefit women who have an abnormal or disrupted menstrual cycle.

Women can use Ashoka bark on non-period days if they have severe vaginal discharge or leucorrhoea, in addition to the duration of their menstrual period. The use of Ashoka bark in postmenopausal women has shown to be effective in preventing breast cancer. As a result, it can be said that this tree offers enormous benefits to women of all ages. However, before using this tree in any way, it is recommended that you consult with your gynaecologist.

• Ashoka Tree Uses For Diabetes 

Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels rise above the normal limit. Although diabetes does not have any signs of its own, it is known to affect multiple body systems, leading to a variety of complications. Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic neuropathy are the three main complications of diabetes that affect the retina of the eye, kidney function, and nerve function respectively.

The Ashoka tree has been found to be effective against these diseases. The extracts of the tree have been found to be beneficial in the prevention of diabetic cataracts as per the studies. Ethanolic extracts from this tree can be used to avoid ophthalmic problems caused by diabetes by inhibiting or delaying the progression of this disease. However, before using this tree, consult your ophthalmologist and ayurvedic doctor because the pharmacological dosage for this use has yet to be determined.

How to Use Ashoka

• Ashoka Bark Juice

1. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of Ashoka bark juice or paste in a small bowl.
2. Toss in some sugar.
3. Put it on your skin.
4. Set aside for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
5. Rinse thoroughly under running water.
6. To get rid of oily and dry skin, use this treatment 1-3 times a week.

 

• Ashoka Leaves or Flower Paste

1. Measure out 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Ashoka leaves or flower paste.
2. Mix in some coconut oil.
3. Apply to the scalp and hair.
4. Set aside for 5-7 hours to allow the flavours to meld.
5. Use shampoo and water to wash your hair.
6. To control hair fall and dandruff, apply this treatment 1-3 times a week.

 

• Ashoka Bark Paste

1. Mix 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Ashoka bark paste in a small bowl.
2. Toss in some sugar.
3. Apply it once a day to the affected region for faster wound healing.

Ashoka Tree Rare Side Effects

1. If some pieces of the tree are consumed orally, it can cause stomach pain and digestive problems.
2. This tree’s safety profile for pregnant women is unknown. As a result, it is advised to avoid using this tree’s elements during pregnancy.
3. The use of Ashoka bark has been linked to toxicological effects in some studies.

In a Nutshell,

It’s best to use some tree-based treatments under the guidance of a doctor and never take them orally. It’s also crucial to choose the correct variety of this tree because identical adulterant species are popular.