Family : Caesalpiniaceae

Synonym : S.asoka

English : Ashoka tree

Hindi : Asok

Gujarati : Ashok

Sanskrit : Asoka, Gatasoka

Part used : Bark

Botanical Description: A medium sized evergreen tree upto 9 m in height with numerous spreading and drooping glabrous branches; leaves pinnate, 30-60 cm long having 2-3 pairs of lanceolate leaflets; flowers orange or orange yellow in dense corymbs, very fragrant, fruits flat black pods, ellipsoidal, oblong and compressed. The bark is dark brown to grey or black with a warty suface, fresh cut ends are pale yellowish red. The thickness of the bark varies from 5 mm to 1 cm. the entire cut surface turn reddish on exposure to air. Flowering and fruiting from January to July.

It is found throughout India

Modern Pharmacological Action: The ethanolic and water extracts of bark of Saraca indica are effective in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, some other researchers have also indicated that ethanolic and water extracts of the leaves of the plant show antibacterial activity only against Escherichia coli. Moreover, the methanolic and water extracts of its leaves are effective against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium. The seed, bark and flowers of Ashoka are mainly used for in menorrhagia, astringent, Diabetes, biliousness, dyspepsia, ulcers and can also be used as uterine stimulant, estrogenic effects, abortifacient. They are also known to have properties like uterine stimulant, antiulcer, anti depressant, antibacterial, antioxidant and larvicidal activity.