Medicinal uses and Pharmacological activity of Adhatoda vasica

Abstract

The present survey of this plant reveals that Adhatoda vasica Nees belonging to family Acanthaceae, commonly known as Adosa, is found many regions of India and throughout the world, with a multitude of uses in traditional Ayurveda. Vasica is most well-known for its effectiveness in treating respiratory conditions. The fresh leaves of Vasica are chewed, sometimes with ginger, by yogis, or sadhus, because of their stimulant effect on the respiratory system. Vasica is an antispasmodic and expectorant, and has been used for centuries with much success to treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. Larger trials are required to prove it’s all activities before it is recommended in future for clinical use, but it carries a great potential to be developed as a drug by the pharmaceutical industry. In this paper general medicinal uses and pharmacological activities of various parts of the plants have been revived.