Adhatoda vasica
Adhatoda vasica
Organoleptic Characters:
It is a tall, much-branched evergreen shrub.
Leaves of the plants are lanceolate, large, and dark green in colour.
Leaves are 12–20 cm long, 2.5–5 cm in width.
The margin of the leaves is crenate and the apex is acuminate, with a glabrous surface.
Active Principals:
The leaves contain very small amounts of essential oil and quinazoline alkaloids such as vasicine and vasicinone.
The root as well as the bark of the plants also contain alkaloids.
In addition to the alkaloids, it contains a yellow colouring matter, vasakin, a non-nitrogenous crystalline substance.
Uses:
The drug has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as an expectorant, particularly in cough and chronic bronchitis.
Vasicine is a bronchoconstrictor, whereas vasicinone is a bronchodilator.
