Malabar nut (Justicia adhatoda), also known as Vasaka, has a long history of use in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. It is primarily used for its benefits to the respiratory system, especially for conditions involving cough, bronchitis, and asthma. The leaves of the plant contain alkaloids such as vasicine, which are thought to have bronchodilatory and expectorant properties, helping to clear mucus from the airways and making it easier to breathe. In traditional medicine, Malabar nut is often included in formulations intended to support the sinuses and upper respiratory tract, aiming to relieve congestion, ease breathing, and reduce inflammation in the mucous membranes.

Scientific studies do exist showing that Justicia adhatoda extracts have expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects, which could plausibly benefit sinus health. However, most scientific research has focused on its use in lower respiratory tract conditions (bronchitis, asthma) rather than directly on sinusitis or sinus support. There is a lack of robust, high-quality clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy for sinus health in humans. Thus, while the traditional rationale for its use in sinus-related issues is strong and there is some supportive pharmacological evidence, direct scientific validation for supporting the sinus body system is limited.