Adhatoda (Vasa): The Malabar Nut Tree in Traditional & Modern Herbal Medicine

Adhatoda — known widely as vasa, and also as arusha, bakash and the Malabar nut tree — has been valued in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. An evergreen perennial shrub (botanical name *Justicia adhatoda*, syn. *Adhatoda vasica*, family Acanthaceae) that grows across the plains of India and Sri Lanka, it has traditionally been used to support the respiratory system — for cough, asthma, bronchitis and, historically, tuberculosis. The parts used are the leaves and roots. The leaves are rich in alkaloids — including vasicine, vasicinone, vasicinol, adhatodine, adhatonine, adhavasinone, anisotine, peganine and vasnetine — alongside betaine, steroids and alkanes. The root similarly contains alkaloids (vasicinol, vasicinolone, vasicinone, adhatonine), a steroid (daucosterol), carbohydrates and alkanes. Traditional and Indigenous uses describe antispasmodic, antiseptic and insecticidal actions, and even use as an antidote to fish poisoning; other applications include antispasmodic, oxytocic and cough-suppressant effects. The herb is also a notable anti-inflammatory: in a 2001 study (Chakraborty and Brantner), the alkaloid fraction showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to hydrocortisone. One of its alkaloids has been shown in animal studies to inhibit antigen-induced mast-cell degranulation and histamine release and to exert bronchodilator activity — and it is the lead molecule behind the modern medicines bromhexine and ambroxol (Gurib-Fakim 2006). On bronchodilator and anti-asthmatic activity, a 2002 review noted that both vasicine and vasicinone possess bronchodilator activity and inhibit allergen-induced bronchial obstruction in a manner comparable to sodium cromoglycate (Dorsch and Wagner 1991; Jindal et al 2002). Other actions have been explored too. Vasica leaf has been shown to protect against liver damage in rats, with leaf extract significantly enhancing the protective enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver — consistent with its traditional use for liver disorders. Adhatoda vasica has also shown radioprotective effects, protecting haematopoietic stem cells against radiation damage by limiting glutathione depletion, reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing phosphatase activity in mice (Kumar et al 2005). The leaf essential oil exerts antispasmodic and antioxidant activity, inducing glutathione-S-transferase and DT-diaphorase in the lungs and forestomach and superoxide dismutase and catalase in the kidneys (Singh et al 2000). Naga tribes in India have traditionally used adhatoda for intestinal worm infestations. **Cautions.** Adhatoda is contraindicated in pregnancy. This writing is educational and reflects traditional use and published research — it is not medical advice, does not diagnose or treat any condition, and herbs can interact with medications. Please speak with your practitioner before use.