The use of the Asoka tree (Saraca asoca) for gastritis is primarily rooted in traditional Ayurvedic medicine rather than being strongly validated by modern scientific research. In Ayurveda, the bark of the Asoka tree is considered to have astringent, cooling, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has historically been used for a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, including indigestion, ulcers, and general stomach discomfort—conditions that may overlap with what is described today as gastritis.

The traditional rationale is based on the plant’s purported ability to balance "pitta" dosha, which is often associated with heat and inflammation in the stomach. Classical Ayurvedic texts like the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita mention its use for digestive complaints, though not always explicitly for modern clinical gastritis.

However, scientific validation for its efficacy in gastritis is limited. A few in vitro and animal studies suggest that extracts of Saraca asoca may have anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects, but there are no high-quality clinical trials specifically evaluating its use in human gastritis. Overall, its use for gastritis is supported primarily by tradition, with low to moderate historical evidence and very limited direct scientific support.