Herbs Hub
Ashoka, Saraca asoca. Botanical plate: Curtis's botanical magazine (8293279893)
Plate: Curtis's botanical magazine (8293279893). Bentham-Moxon Trust.; Curtis, William; Curtis's botanical magazine dedications, 1827-1927 . Public domain.

Ashoka

Saraca asoca · अशोक

Herbs & Roots. Ayurveda.

Also called Asoka, Ashoka bark, Sita ashoka

Sanskrit: अशोक (Ashoka)

Do not use in pregnancy

A tree from India whose bark is used in Ayurveda as a women's health tonic and for heavy bleeding.

Did you know? The tree is named in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where it is linked to Sita.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

  • Women's health. Traditional use for heavy periods and uterine complaints. Human trials are few and weak.
    Traditional proof
  • Pain & headaches. Used for period pain in Ayurveda. Human evidence is lacking.
    Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Hormones & reproduction, Nerves & pain

Traditional use

Ayurveda uses ashoka bark for heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods and uterine complaints. It is a key ingredient in ashokarishta, a fermented formula.

How it is classified

Herbal actions
Astringent, Hemostatic. Energy: cooling.
Ayurveda
Calms Pitta and Kapha. Taste (rasa): astringent, bitter. Energy (virya): cooling. After digestion (vipaka): pungent. Stri-roga-hara (women's disorders).

How people take it

Bark decoction or powder used in tradition. Products are often combined in ashokarishta. No tested human dose is established.

Decoction, powder and capsule.

Where to get it

Grows in India and Sri Lanka, often in gardens and temple grounds. Bark is peeled and dried. Buy bark powder, capsules or ashokarishta from Ayurvedic brands. Quality varies.

Be careful

Can cause constipation or stomach upset. Avoid in pregnancy, since traditional use is aimed at the uterus. Heavy periods should be checked by a doctor first.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; heavy periods without medical check.

Mixing with other things

  • Works well together

    Both are classic Ayurvedic women's herbs, often used in the same traditions.

  • Works well together

    Both are used as women's health tonics in Ayurveda.

The honest take

Ashoka has a long Ayurvedic history for women's health, but very few good human studies exist. The period and bleeding claims rest on tradition. Heavy periods need a doctor's check, not a bark tea.