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 (pro-drug) is well absorbed orally (~80-90%) and converted by gut bacteria and hepatic 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 (naringenin, 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 indication); total 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
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