Vasaka Vasaka

Source Source Dried & fresh leaves of Dried & fresh leaves of

Adhatoda vasica Adhatoda vasica

Acanthaceae Acanthaceae Indigenous to IndiaIndigenous to India Requires loamy soil Requires loamy soil Raised from stem cuttings / seedsRaised from stem cuttings / seeds Also obtained from wild sources / Also obtained from wild sources /

garden plantsgarden plants

Description Description

Shape Shape lanceolate , lanceolate , broadbroad at base at base ApexApex acuminate acuminate Petiolate Petiolate Margin Margin entire entire Colour Colour dull brownish greendull brownish green Slight odourSlight odour Taste Taste bitter bitter

Microscopy Microscopy (dorsiventral leaf)(dorsiventral leaf)LaminaLamina

Upper epidermis Upper epidermis Single layered , Cuticularised Single layered , Cuticularised Covering trichomes Covering trichomes 2 – 4 celled2 – 4 celled

thick walled , pointedthick walled , pointedGlandular trichomes Glandular trichomes 4 celled heads4 celled headsDiacytic stamataDiacytic stamata

Lower epidermisLower epidermis More Stomata & Trichomes More Stomata & Trichomes than the upper than the upper

MesophyllMesophyllUpper palisade Upper palisade Double layeredDouble layered

Lower spongy parenchyma Lower spongy parenchyma 2 – 6 layered 2 – 6 layered CystolithsCystolithsVascular bundles (V.B) Vascular bundles (V.B) CollateralCollateral

Midrib Midrib Epidermis Epidermis Both upper & lower epidermisBoth upper & lower epidermis

More trichomes in midrib regionMore trichomes in midrib region Collenchyma Collenchyma 2 – 4 layered 2 – 4 layered

Below upper & above lower epidermisBelow upper & above lower epidermis

Remaining parenchymaRemaining parenchyma V.B V.B CollateralCollateral

Xylem towards upper epidermis Xylem towards upper epidermis

Phloem towards lower epidermisPhloem towards lower epidermis

ConstituentsConstituents Alkaloids Alkaloids Vasicine , Vasicinone Vasicine , Vasicinone Volatile oil Volatile oil Others Others Betain , Vasakin , Betain , Vasakin ,

Adhatodic acidAdhatodic acid

Uses Uses

Expectorant Expectorant Exert bronchodilator effect Exert bronchodilator effect