# Vasaka

> Vasaka (Justicia adhatoda) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Note: Vasa and Vasaka are synonymous names for Adhatoda vasica in different Ayurvedic traditions. All pharmacokinetic parameters identical. See Vasa entry for complete bioavailability profile.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Justicia adhatoda

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Vasaka |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Svarasa (fresh juice), Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Syrup, Avaleha (Vasavaleha), Ghana Vati

**Standard Dosage:** 10-20 mL fresh juice twice daily; 3-5 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; standardized extract capsule 250-500 mg twice daily

**Bioavailability:** Identical to [Vasa](/herb/vasa/) (Adhatoda vasica) - [vasicine](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#vasicine) bioavailability ~45-55%, [vasicinone](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#vasicinone) ~40-50%. Note: [Vasa](/herb/vasa/) and Vasaka are synonymous names for Adhatoda vasica in different Ayurvedic traditions. All pharmacokinetic parameters identical. See Vasa entry for complete bioavailability profile.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals with honey for cough and respiratory conditions; morning and evening dosing

**Standardized Extract:** Leaf extract standardized to >1.0% vasicine + >0.5% vasicinone by HPLC; total quinazoline [alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids) >2.5%; aqueous extract (Ghana) with >3.0% total alkaloids

**Shelf Life:** Fresh juice: 24-48 hours; Powder: 12-18 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24-36 months; Syrup: 18-24 months; Ghana Vati: 24-36 months

**Storage:** Identical to Vasa. Airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-25 deg C. Monitor vasicine/vasicinone ratio. Protect from oxidation.

**Marker Compounds:** Vasicine, Vasicinone, Vasicol, [Deoxyvasicine](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#deoxyvasicine), [Adhatodine](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#adhatodine), [Anisotine](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#anisotine), [Vasicinol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#vasicinol), Maiontone

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh leaf juice expression
- Hydroethanolic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
- Aqueous decoction
- Acid-base extraction for alkaloid purification
- Spray drying of standardized extract
- Supercritical CO2 for alkaloid-enriched extract

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Tulsi](/herb/tulsi/) - respiratory support combination
- Mulethi/[Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) - demulcent and [expectorant](/reference/expectorant/) synergy
- [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) + [Madhu](/herb/madhu/) (honey) - traditional respiratory formulation
- [Kantakari](/herb/kantakari/) + Vasaka - bronchospasm management
- [Shirisha](/herb/shirisha/) (Albizia lebbeck) - anti-allergic respiratory combination

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/vasaka/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.