# Vetasa

> Vetasa is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Onset of action is slower than synthetic aspirin (1-2 hours vs. 30 minutes) but duration is longer (6-8 hours). Salicylic acid from willow bark does not cause the same degree of gastric irritation as aspirin because salicin is hydrolyzed in the intestine, not the stomach.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Vetasa |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

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

## What is it made of?

### Mineral/Elemental Profile

- **Primary component:** Mineral-derived preparation
- **Note:** Composition varies by specific preparation method

**Analytical Methods:** XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (bark powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Tincture, Extract

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g bark powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 2-5 mL tincture three times daily

**Bioavailability:** [Salicin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#salicin) (pro-drug) is well absorbed orally (~80-90%) and converted by gut bacteria and hepatic [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) to saligenin and subsequently to salicylic acid (the active anti-inflammatory metabolite). Onset of action is slower than synthetic aspirin (1-2 hours vs. 30 minutes) but duration is longer (6-8 hours). Salicylic acid from willow bark does not cause the same degree of gastric irritation as aspirin because salicin is hydrolyzed in the intestine, not the stomach. [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) ([naringenin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#naringenin), [catechin](/reference/catechin/)) have low systemic bioavailability.

**Optimal Timing:** With meals to minimize GI contact; 2-3 times daily for sustained anti-inflammatory effect

**Standardized Extract:** Bark extract standardized to >15% salicin by HPLC (equivalent to ~240 mg salicin per daily dose for [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) indication); total [polyphenols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polyphenols) >5%

**Shelf Life:** Bark powder: 18-24 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24-36 months; Tincture: 36-48 months; Decoction: prepare fresh

**Storage:** Airtight containers at 15-25 deg C, protected from moisture. Tincture in amber glass. Bark material protected from insects.

**Marker Compounds:** Salicin, Salicortin, Tremulacin, Fragilin, Naringenin, Catechin, Salicylic acid (metabolite), Populin

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroethanolic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
- Methanol extraction for salicin enrichment
- Tincture preparation (1:5 in 45% ethanol)

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Guggulu](/formulation/guggulu/) (Commiphora mukul) - anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic synergy
- [Shallaki](/herb/shallaki/) (Boswellia serrata) - complementary anti-inflammatory via 5-LOX inhibition
- [Nirgundi](/herb/nirgundi/) (Vitex negundo) - analgesic combination for musculoskeletal pain
- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) ([turmeric](/herb/turmeric/)) - multi-target anti-inflammatory synergy

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

## 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.