Ashoka plant /Saraca asoca

 

TREE SAGA – THE SITA ASHOKA TREE

Ornamental Gardening

About Sita Ashoka tree:

Ashok is one of the most legendary and sacred trees of India. The Scientific name of Sita Ashok is Saraca asoca, and it belongs to Leguminosae family. This tree is native to Indian subcontinent & it is found growing naturally in the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas.

It is a small sized, 7-10 m tall, handsome, evergreen tree with branches spreading in all directions and forming a crown shape. The tree has compound leaves with 3-7 pairs of leaflets. The young leaflets come out in drooping branches, changing colors from grayish white to pinkish, and remain folded. This tender foliage of coppery red color offers a heartwarming sight.

Flowers of Ashoka tree:

The flowering season is in summer. The vibrant orange, slightly frangrent flower are borne in roundish inflorescence on the branches and stems.  Initial reddish yellow blooms, turning into vermillion colored clusters of flowers, contrast pleasingly with dark green shiny wavy-edged foliage. The tree flowers between January-April or till June. The flowers attract many birds and butterflies.

The significance of Ashok tree in Indian culture, history, and mythology:

Every Indian knows about ‘Ashokavana’ aka ‘Ashokvatika’ where Sita was held captive by Ravana, the demon king. Sita refused to stay in Ravana’s palace and preferred to stay under the Ashoka tree, hence the name. This is the place where Hanuman first met Sita. Present location of Ashok Vatika is believed to be the Hakgala botanical garden, the area is known as Seetha Eliya in Sri Lanka.

The association of different trees with the life of Lord Buddha is well known. The Buddha was born in 563 BC. His birth took place under the Ashok tree. This was confirmed by great Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang who came to India (630-645 AD). Hence, the Ashok tree is sacred to Buddhists and is seen near Buddhist monasteries.

The Ashok tree is often mentioned in classical Indian religious and amorous poetry, having at least 16 different names in Sanskrit referring to the tree or its flowers. Kalidas, the famous Sanskrit playwright & poet, made this tree immortal in his play ‘Malavikagnimitram’ where the tree does not come to bloom unless the damsel kicks it.

Medicinal properties of Ashoka tree:

Ashoka is a highly medicinal plant and it is used in various Ayurvedic formulations. The juice obtained from boiling the bark is a cure for women-specific ailments, and a pulp of the blossoms is one of the remedies used for dysentery.

How to Plant Ashoka tree:

• Ashoka tree is easily propagated by Seed
• Seeds can be obtained from pods in the Monsoon.
• Seeds are sown in poly bags and seedlings are allowed to grow in semi-shade.
• One-year-old seedlings raised in a nursery can be planted in 3 x 3 ft pits.
• The tree is suitable for planting as a specimen in lawns or groves in a park.
• The is no better relief in hot Indian summer afternoons than the shade of Ashok tree in a garden.

The false Ashoka tree:

One common garden tree Polyalthia longifolia is referred as Ashoka tree in India, probably due to the slight resemblance in foliage.To avoid confusion with true Ashok or Sita Ashok, this tree is called ‘False Ashoka.’ These two trees are easily distinguishable.

Nutritional Value of Ashoka Tree

There are a number of essential nutrients that can be derived from the Ashoka tree. It contains tannins, glycoside, essential oils and calcium. It also contains carbonic compounds of carbon and iron while the bark of the tree contains ketosterol.

Health Benefits of Ashoka Tree

Mentioned below are the best health benefits of Ashoka Tree. Also discuss uses of ashoka tree leaves, barks and seed in different health issues.

Help treat acne

You can boil the bark of Ashoka tree to form a thick decoction and apply mustard oil after it gets cold. This solution, when applied to boils and acne, produces a very beneficial effect.

Ashoka Tree Herb For Gynecological Problems

The herb of this Ashoka tree can acts on uterine muscles and endometrium and thus provides relief from abdominal pain and other spasms. It also helps to treat irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, leucorrhea, fibroids, cysts and other related disorders. Thus Ashoka tree is widely used to treat gynecological and menstrual problems in women.

Ashoka Tree Bark Helps improve intellect

Regular consumption of Ashoka tree products help to improve your intellect. You have to mix equal quantities of Ashoka’s bark and brahmi powder and consume 1 teaspoon of this mixture twice daily with a cup of milk.

Ashoka Tree Leaves in Skin Care

Consumption of herbs from the Ashoka tree helps to remove toxins from our blood and therefore provides excellent benefits for our skin. Ashoka tree herbs help to purify blood and prevent the onset of allergies and other skin disorders. Burn and skin irritations can also be treated by using extracts from the Ashoka tree.

ASHOKA PLANT PREVENTS INTERNAL BLEEDING

You can drink few drops of water mixed with crushed flowers of the Ashoka plant to prevent internal bleeding. Ashoka flowers also help to prevent hemorrhagic dysentery. Thus flowers of Ashoka help to take care of your health.

Deals with stomach swelling and inflammation

Ashoka tree Barks or leaves, when consumed, help to remove worms from the stomach and thus provide relief from pain and swelling. The bark of the ashoka tree also has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and pain relieving properties. Ashoka tree helps to combat both internal and external inflammation and provides relief from burning sensation.

ASHOKA TREE FOR PILES AND DIABETES

People who are suffering from diabetes can use the dried flowers of the Ashoka tree to treat their ailment. The Ashoka flowers help to check blood sugar levels. Herbal supplements prepared from this Ashoka tree help in the treatment of piles. A decoction prepared from the bark of the Ashoka tree helps to treat internal piles.

ASHOKA TREE PREVENTS DIARRHEA

Flowers of the Ashoka tree controls blood loss in stools and thus treats diarrhea without causing any side effects. Ashoka tree leaves, flowers and bark can be used a tonic which will provide relief from this painful condition.

REMOVES KIDNEY STONES AND TREATS ASTHMA

Seed powder of the Ashoka tree is a natural method that helps to control kidney stones. When the seed powder is wrapped in betel leaves and consumed a number of times, it helps to treat asthma in people suffering from that illness.

ASHOKA FLOWER HELPS IN RELIEVE PAIN

Ashoka tree extracts have analgesic properties and so help to relieve pain. If you experiencing pain in your joints, you can apply a paste of the bark on the affected areas and experience some relief.

USES OF ASHOKA TREE

The bark of the Ashoka tree good for skin and used to prepare cosmetics that help to improve skin complexion. It helps to prevent the condition of scanty and difficult urination and even acts as an antidote to a scorpion bite. Even its dried flowers of Ashoka tree are advantageous for diabetic patients.

ASHOKA TREE SIDE-EFFECTS & ALLERGIES

Although the health benefits of Ashoka tree are numerous, pregnant women should abstain from consuming products from this tree as it might lead to complications. People who are sensitive to certain types of food should consult a doctor before consuming products of this tree.before consuming products of this tree.