Saraca asoca
Ashoka tree
Saraca asoca, commonly known as the Ashoka tree, is a sacred medicinal plant revered in Ayurvedic tradition. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, it is primarily used to balance hormones and support female reproductive health. Its bark, flowers, and leaves offer potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits for holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Saraca asoca
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, specifically being a member of the Fabaceae family. Its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Saraca, with the species being Saraca asoca.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Saraca | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Saraca asoca, is recognized by various common names across different cultures and languages. In Hindi, it is called अशोक वृक्ष, while in Chinese, it is referred to as 无忧树 (Simplified Chinese), 無憂樹 (Traditional Chinese), and 無憂樹 in Hong Kong. Additionally, in Portuguese, the species is known as Açoca.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | अशोक वृक्ष | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 无忧树 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 無憂樹 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 無憂樹 | Wikidata |
| pt | Açoca | Wikidata |
| jv | Kembang Asoka | Wikidata |
| pl | Asioka | Wikidata |
| fr | Arbre ashoka | Wikidata |
| ru | Ашока | Wikidata |
| or | ଅଶୋକ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing naturally throughout various parts of India, including the state of Assam. The species also has a significant presence in Bangladesh and throughout the East Himalaya region. Additionally, its range extends to the remote areas of the Laccadive Islands. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in multiple subtropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Laccadive Is. | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Saraca asoca, possesses various parts that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The stem serves as the main structural support, while the stem bark is frequently harvested for its medicinal potency in traditional practices. The bark of the tree is highly valued, often used to prepare decoctions for treating various ailments. Additionally, the leaf plays a role in the plant's physiological functions and can be used in certain herbal formulations, while the wood is known for its durability and is sometimes employed in traditional medicine or artisanal purposes.- Total parts
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 14
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| all plant parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Saraca asoca has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gallic acid, epicatechin, flavonoids, (+)-catechin, (+)-pinitol.
- Total chemicals
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gallic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-pinitol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-epicatechin gallate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-epigallocatechin gallate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Copper (Cu) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Iron (Fe) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Saraca asoca has 8 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Free-Radical Scavenging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Saraca asoca has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include menorrhagia, acute myeloid leukemia, antioxidant, breast cancer, cancer.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| menorrhagia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acute myeloid leukemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pyrexia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| visceral leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |