Vasaka
Justicia adhatoda
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.
| Botanical name | Justicia adhatoda |
|---|---|
| Family | Acanthaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3173105 · Wikidata Q61022811 · NCBI Taxonomy 141317 |
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 (Adhatoda vasica) - vasicine bioavailability ~45-55%, vasicinone ~40-50%. 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.
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 >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, Adhatodine, Anisotine, 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 - respiratory support combination
- Mulethi/Yashtimadhu - demulcent and expectorant synergy
- Pippali + Madhu (honey) - traditional respiratory formulation
- Kantakari + Vasaka - bronchospasm management
- Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck) - anti-allergic respiratory combination
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2021. Promising traditional Indian medicinal plants for the management of novel Coronavirus disease: A systematic reviewPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 34132429 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7150
Other clinical studies and reviews3
- 2024. Exploring the pharmacological and chemical aspects of pyrrolo-quinazoline derivatives in Adhatoda vasicaHeliyon. PMID 38379997 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25727
- 2023. Overview of the Justicia Genus: Insights into Its Chemical Diversity and Biological PotentialMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36770856 · doi:10.3390/molecules28031190
- 2019. Review on antibacterial activity of Himalayan medicinal plants traditionally used to treat pneumonia and tuberculosisThe Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. PMID 31468525 · doi:10.1111/jphp.13156
Laboratory and animal studies8
- 2024. Phytochemical Characterization and Assessment of Crude Extracts from Justicia adhatoda for Phytotoxic and Cytotoxic ActivityScientifica. PMID 39359907 · doi:10.1155/2024/1374346
- 2024. Exploring the Antibacterial and Antifungal Efficacy of Herbal Plants: An Ayurvedic ResearchJournal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences. PMID 40061770 · doi:10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_884_24
- 2023. The Therapeutic Potential of the Medicinal Plant Justicia Adhatoda and its Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities: A Comparative StudyAlternative therapies in health and medicine. PMID 36150011
- 2022. Determination of chiral bioactive molecules in Justicia adhatoda leaves by GC-MSChirality. PMID 36046957 · doi:10.1002/chir.23504
- 2022. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of leaf extract of Justicia adhatoda L. (Acanthaceae) in Carrageenan and Formalin-induced models by targeting oxidative stressBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 35763968 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113322
- 2021. Effect Of Justicia Adhatoda (Malabar Nut) Leaf Extract On Drug-Induced Coagulopathy In Mice And In-Vitro Platelet Aggregation Of Human BloodJournal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC. PMID 33774945
- 2020. Supplements of an aqueous combination of Justicia adhatoda and Ocimum tenuiflorum boost antioxidative effects and impede hyperlipidemiaAnimal models and experimental medicine. PMID 32613173 · doi:10.1002/ame2.12115
- 2018. Justicia adhatoda induces megakaryocyte differentiation through mitochondrial ROS generationPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 29747746 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2018.04.038
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