Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Ashoka (Saraca asoca) has a long-standing history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, especially for supporting female reproductive health and the uterus. Ayurvedic texts describe Ashoka bark as a key ingredient in formulations intended to manage various gynecological disorders, particularly menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), and leucorrhea (vaginal discharge). The traditional rationale is that Ashoka has “stambhana” (astringent) and “rakta shodhana” (blood purifying) actions, which are believed to help tone the uterine muscles, reduce excessive menstrual bleeding, and promote overall uterine health.

Modern scientific studies on Ashoka are limited but suggest possible mechanisms that align with traditional beliefs. Preliminary in vitro and animal studies indicate that Ashoka bark extracts may possess anti-inflammatory, estrogenic, and uterine muscle-contracting properties. Some small human clinical studies, almost all from India, report reductions in symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and pain, but these studies are generally of low methodological quality and have not been widely replicated. As such, while the traditional use of Ashoka for uterine support is well established and widely recognized in South Asian systems of medicine, strong scientific validation is lacking. Therefore, the evidence rating reflects robust traditional use with modest preliminary scientific support, but not enough rigorous clinical evidence for a higher score.

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