Vasaka (Adhatoda)
An Ayurvedic herb for cough and bronchitis whose alkaloid vasicine inspired the mucolytic drugs bromhexine and ambroxol. The drugs were studied; the herb itself was not.
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What the science says
- Cough and mucus clearance Limited evidence
Antitussive activity has been shown in animal models of mechanically and chemically induced coughing. There are no adequately designed randomised placebo-controlled trials of Adhatoda vasica extract in people with cough or bronchitis.
- Its derivatives are real medicines Moderate evidence
Vasicine from this plant was the starting point for bromhexine and ambroxol, semisynthetic mucoactive drugs with a clinical trial record reviewed in the respiratory literature. That record belongs to the purified drugs at defined doses, not to herbal vasaka preparations.
- Bronchodilator claims Limited evidence
A review of the botany, traditional uses and pharmacology of Adhatoda vasica describes bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory and animal work. Human confirmation is missing.
Dosage & safety
How to take it
Interactions
With medications
- warfarin and other anticoagulants
Reported effects on clotting add to the bleeding risk. avoid combining without medical advice
With other supplements
- fish oil, garlic and other blood-thinning supplements
Compounded effect on clotting. do not stack them
Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.
Frequently asked questions
Does vasaka help cough and bronchitis?
Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica) has limited evidence: antitussive activity has been shown in animals, but there are no adequate randomised placebo-controlled trials in people with cough or bronchitis. Its alkaloid vasicine inspired the drugs bromhexine and ambroxol, which were studied, but that record does not transfer to the herb.
Is vasaka the same as bromhexine or ambroxol?
No: bromhexine and ambroxol are semisynthetic mucoactive drugs derived from vasicine in vasaka, with their own clinical trial record at defined doses. Herbal vasaka preparations have not been tested the same way.
Is vasaka safe in pregnancy?
Avoid vasaka entirely in pregnancy, because vasicine has uterotonic and abortifacient activity in animals. High doses can also cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, and vasaka is not recommended for young children without medical advice.
How much vasaka should I take?
There is no validated dose of vasaka; traditional use is 5–10 mL of leaf juice or 1–3 g of dried leaf powder daily, in short courses with food or honey. Avoid combining vasaka with anticoagulants or blood-thinning supplements.
Scientific references
- Adhatoda vasica (Nees.): A Review on its Botany, Traditional uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities and Toxicity
- Antitussive effect of Adhatoda vasica extract on mechanical or chemical stimulation-induced coughing in animals
- A reappraisal of the mucoactive activity and clinical efficacy of bromhexine
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