Acanthaceae
Malabar Nut
Adhatoda vasica
⚠ Use with Caution
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia
Also known as: Vasa, Adhatoda, Malabar Nut Tree, Adulsa
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
Bronchitis, asthma (vasicine bronchodilator), chronic cough, tuberculosis (adjunct), respiratory spasm. Vasicine precursor to bromhexine (pharmaceutical mucolytic). Central Ayurvedic respiratory herb.
Herbal Actions
Bronchodilator, expectorant, mucolytic, antispasmodic, oxytocic, antimicrobial, antitubercular
Active Constituents
Quinazoline alkaloids (vasicine/peganine — primary, vasicinone, deoxyvasicine), essential oil, tannins, flavonoids (adhatodine)
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture🍵 Decoction💊 Capsule
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1–2 tsp dried leaf per 250ml, steep 10 min, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Vasicine is the pharmaceutical precursor of bromhexine mucolytic. Standardized extract (0.5% vasicine): 200mg 3x daily. Combine with elecampane and thyme for bronchitis. Strong bitter taste. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Contraindicated in pregnancy — powerful oxytocic and abortifacient. Avoid in peptic ulcer. Caution with cardiac medications.
Side Effects: GI irritation. Nausea. Uterine contractions. Cardiac effects at high doses.