Riddhish Herbals
Vasa Ghanvati (Ardusi / Vasaka) – Adhatoda vasica Extract Tablet – Riddhish Herbals – 100g
Vasa Ghanvati (Ardusi / Vasaka) – Adhatoda vasica Extract Tablet – Riddhish Herbals – 100g
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Vasa Ghanvati from Riddhish Herbals is a single-herb Ayurvedic tablet made from the concentrated aqueous extract (Ghana) of Vasa — Adhatoda vasica Nees, syn. Justicia adhatoda L., family Acanthaceae — supplied in a 100 g pack. The leaf (Patra) is the part listed for Vasa in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Bhavaprakasha Nighantu places the herb in the Guduchyadi Varga, describing it as Tikta and Kashaya in Rasa, Sheeta in Virya and Kapha-Pitta shamaka; Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 4 uses it as a principal drug in Raktapitta. A published safety review documents oxytocic and abortifacient activity for this herb's vasicine alkaloids (Claeson UP et al., 2000 — Journal of Ethnopharmacology; PMID 10967448), and this product is therefore not to be used in pregnancy. Use under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic physician.
About Vasa Ghanvati
Vasa is one of the herbs Ayurveda names rather than describes — it turns up in the classical formularies so consistently that the texts assume you already know it. Bhavaprakasha Nighantu lists it in the Guduchyadi Varga as Tikta and Kashaya in Rasa, Sheeta in Virya, Katu in Vipaka, and Kapha-Pitta shamaka. In Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 4, the chapter on Raktapitta, it is a principal drug.
Ghanvati is the concentrated form. The herb is decocted, the decoction reduced to a solid extract — the Ghana — and that extract compressed into a tablet. The point is concentration: a Ghanvati carries the water-soluble fraction of a much larger quantity of leaf in a form you can actually swallow. That is also why the dose is small and why it should come from a physician rather than from a habit.
The part used matters here. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India lists Vasa under the leaf, and the leaf is what a Ghanvati of this herb is normally made from. Root and flower have their own classical uses and are not interchangeable with the leaf.
The name is not the herb — a correction we have made on this page
The previous version of this listing carried a Regional Names table that transliterated the words Vasa Ghanvati into Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu scripts and presented the result as regional names for the plant. It was not. Writing a Sanskrit product name in Tamil letters does not produce the Tamil name for the herb, which is ஆடாதோடை — Adathodai — and is in fact where the genus name Adhatoda comes from.
We have replaced that table with the genuine vernacular names, each checked against a source rather than reconstructed from a romanisation. Where we could not verify a script, we have given the romanised form only and said so. The Sanskrit row is romanised for exactly that reason — the synonyms are well attested in the Nighantus, but we did not get a look at them in printed Devanagari while preparing this page, and we would rather show you a romanisation we can stand behind than Devanagari we cannot.
This is a small thing. It is also the kind of small thing that tells you whether a listing was written by someone who knows the herb.
What is declared, and what is not
Declared: the herb (Adhatoda vasica), the preparation (Ghana — concentrated extract, compressed to a vati), and the net quantity, 100 g.
Not declared: the individual tablet weight, the extract ratio, and the tabletting excipients. A Ghanvati necessarily contains a binder and a lubricant of some kind, and the concentration ratio — how much raw leaf went into one tablet — is the single most useful number a Ghanvati pack can carry. This one does not carry it, and we have not invented one.
The listing is tagged for pack-level composition confirmation. If the extract ratio matters for your use, please check the physical pack or ask us before ordering.
Key Features
- A Ghana, not a plain powder: Ghanvati is made from the concentrated aqueous extract (Ghana) of the herb, dried and compressed into a tablet — a more concentrated form than the raw leaf, which is why the dose is smaller.
- One herb only: Adhatoda vasica Nees. No blend, no filler herbs, no undeclared additions.
- The leaf is the official part: the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India lists Vasa under the leaf (Patra). We say so rather than leaving the part vague.
- Classical placement stated honestly: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu places Vasa in the Guduchyadi Varga — Tikta and Kashaya in Rasa, Sheeta in Virya, Kapha-Pitta shamaka. Terms are given as the texts give them.
- Three verified references, one of them a caution: including the safety review that is the reason we say this is not for use in pregnancy. Most listings for this herb do not mention it.
- Real regional names: Ardusi, Adusa, Adulasa, Basak, Adathodai, Adusoge, Adalodakam — the names people actually use, source-checked, not the product name transliterated into nine alphabets.
- Genuine, doctor-guided sourcing: bill provided with every pack; a store trusted since 2015, with pan-India delivery.
Research on the Constituents
◆ A human clinical trial. Chaturvedi and colleagues at Banaras Hindu University reported a clinical trial of a Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) syrup in patients with Amlapitta, the classical Ayurvedic term for non-ulcer dyspepsia, examining changes in gastric acidity parameters — (Chaturvedi GN et al., 1983 — Ancient Science of Life 3(1):19–23). PMID 22557371. Noted here because it is one of the few human studies on this herb, and because its subject — digestion — is not the use this herb is usually sold for.
◆ A safety review, and the reason for our pregnancy caution. Claeson and colleagues published a critical review of the ethnopharmacological and toxicological data on Adhatoda vasica, which documents oxytocic and abortifacient activity associated with its vasicine alkaloids — (Claeson UP et al., 2000 — Journal of Ethnopharmacology 72(1–2):1–20). PMID 10967448. This is a caution, not a benefit. It is why this page says plainly that the product is not to be used in pregnancy.
◆ An animal study, labelled as such. Dhuley examined the antitussive activity of an Adhatoda vasica extract in animal cough-induction models — (Dhuley JN, 1999 — Journal of Ethnopharmacology 67(3):361–365). PMID 10617073. This was work in animals, not in people, and we will not extrapolate it to human use. It is included because it is the study most often cited for this herb, usually without that qualification.
Results were observed under study conditions. Individual results may vary. This is shared for general educational interest and is not a medical claim. Consult your Ayurvedic physician before use.
Composition (label-verified)
| Ingredient | Botanical | Part | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vasa — Ghana (concentrated aqueous extract) | Adhatoda vasica Nees (syn. Justicia adhatoda L.) | Leaf (Patra) — the part listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India | Single herb; extract ratio not declared on pack |
| Tabletting excipients | Not declared | — | Present by necessity in any vati; not itemised on pack |
This is a single-herb product: Adhatoda vasica in Ghana (concentrated extract) form, compressed into tablets, 100 g net. The extract ratio, the individual tablet weight and the tabletting excipients are not declared on the pack, and none of them is invented here. The extract ratio is the number that actually tells you how concentrated a Ghanvati is, so its absence is worth knowing. No standardisation percentage is claimed. Tagged for pack-level composition confirmation.
How to Use
As directed by your Ayurvedic physician. A Ghanvati is a concentrated form, so the quantity is small — typically one to two tablets, taken with warm water, and the classical anupan for Vasa preparations is warm water or honey, which the texts pair with this herb. Because the extract ratio is not printed on the pack, the sensible course is to take the quantity your physician specifies for this particular pack rather than a number from a book or from another brand's label. Children should be given this only on the direction of a qualified Ayurvedic physician.
Who Can Use It
Suitable for most adults on professional advice. Not to be used during pregnancy — a published review of the toxicological data on this herb documents oxytocic and abortifacient activity associated with its vasicine alkaloids (Claeson UP et al., 2000; PMID 10967448), and classical practice is cautious about Vasa in pregnancy for the same reason. Not during lactation except under the direction of a qualified Ayurvedic physician. The herb is Sheeta (cooling) and Ruksha in classical character, so it does not suit every constitution equally — that judgement belongs with your physician. Anyone with a diagnosed breathing or bleeding condition should speak to their doctor before taking this or any herb, and should continue the care their doctor has advised.
Safety Information
Vasa Ghanvati is a traditional Ayurvedic preparation and is not a substitute for professional medical care — please seek qualified medical attention directly for any health concern. Do not use during pregnancy. This is not a routine boilerplate caution: a peer-reviewed review of the toxicological literature on Adhatoda vasica documents oxytocic and abortifacient activity for its vasicine alkaloids (Claeson UP et al., 2000 — Journal of Ethnopharmacology; PMID 10967448). Not during lactation except on physician direction. This is a concentrated extract form and the extract ratio is not declared on the pack, so do not scale the quantity yourself — take what your physician specifies for this pack. The herb is cooling and drying by classical character and may not suit every constitution. If you are managing a diagnosed condition, continue the care your doctor has advised and do not substitute this or any herb for it. Discontinue and consult a physician if any discomfort occurs. Keep out of reach of children. Results may vary from person to person.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, in a tightly closed airtight container. A Ghana extract is hygroscopic — it draws moisture from the air more readily than a plain churna does — so the tablets will soften and stick if the pack is left open in humidity. Close it firmly, keep damp fingers and damp spoons out, and do not decant into a container that has held anything moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vasa Ghanvati?
It is a single-herb Ayurvedic tablet made from the concentrated aqueous extract (Ghana) of Vasa, Adhatoda vasica Nees. The leaf is the part listed for this herb in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Ghana means the decoction has been reduced to a solid extract, so a Ghanvati is more concentrated than the plain powdered herb.
What is the difference between Ghanvati and the plain Vasa tablets?
A Ghanvati is compressed from the concentrated extract; a plain tablet is usually compressed from the powdered herb itself. The Ghana form is the more concentrated of the two, which is why the dose differs. We stock both — Vasa Tablets alongside this — and your physician will say which they mean. They are not interchangeable.
What is the extract ratio?
The pack does not state it, so we do not either. That is a real gap and we would rather name it than paper over it: the extract ratio is the number that tells you how much raw leaf went into one tablet, and without it you cannot compare one brand's Ghanvati with another's. Take the quantity your physician specifies for this particular pack.
Can I take it during pregnancy?
No. A peer-reviewed review of the toxicological data on this herb documents oxytocic and abortifacient activity associated with its vasicine alkaloids (Claeson UP et al., 2000; PMID 10967448), and classical practice is cautious about Vasa in pregnancy for the same reason. Not during lactation either, except on the direction of a qualified Ayurvedic physician.
What are the alternate names and spellings?
Vasa is also called Vasaka, Atarusha, Simhasya and Vrisha in Sanskrit. In Gujarat it is અરડૂસી (Ardusi); in Hindi अडूसा (Adusa) or अड़ूसा (Arusa); in Marathi अडुळसा (Adulasa); in Bengali বাসক (Basak); in Tamil ஆடாதோடை (Adathodai); in Telugu అడ్డసరం (Addasaram); in Kannada ಆಡುಸೋಗೆ (Adusoge); in Malayalam ആടലോടകം (Adalodakam). In English it is Malabar Nut. The full table is further down this page. Note that Bakas is a Bengali name, not a Hindi one — it is frequently mislabelled.
What does Ayurveda classically say about this herb?
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu places Vasa in the Guduchyadi Varga and describes it as Tikta and Kashaya in Rasa, Sheeta in Virya, Katu in Vipaka, and Kapha-Pitta shamaka. In Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 4, the chapter on Raktapitta, it is a principal drug. Those are the classical categories as the texts give them, not a claim about any modern diagnosis.
Has Vasa been studied scientifically?
Yes, and three references are given on this page with their PMIDs. The one human trial is Chaturvedi GN et al., 1983, in Ancient Science of Life, on Amlapitta. There is also a safety review (Claeson UP et al., 2000) and an animal antitussive study (Dhuley JN, 1999) — which we have labelled as an animal study, because it is one and is usually cited without that qualification. Individual results may vary.
Can I take this without a doctor?
It is better not to. This is a concentrated extract form with no declared extract ratio, it carries a documented pregnancy caution, and Ayurvedic dosing depends on your constitution and season. Ask a qualified Ayurvedic physician. Doctor-guided selection is what our store is for.
What is the recommended anupan?
Warm water is the usual vehicle, and the classical texts also pair Vasa preparations with honey. Your physician may specify something else for your constitution, and their direction takes precedence over any general rule.
How should I store it?
In a cool, dry place away from sunlight, in a tightly closed airtight container. A Ghana extract pulls moisture from the air, so the tablets will soften and stick together if the pack is left open in humidity. Keep damp fingers and damp spoons out.
Is this AYUSH or GMP certified?
This pack is supplied under Riddhish Herbals' own label. Any AYUSH Standard Mark or GMP mark would appear on the physical pack, and we state such marks only where they are verified on the pack itself. We do not add Organic or ISO product claims unless they are documented on the label.
How is this different from other brands?
Mostly in what we are willing to say. We name the plant part, we name what the pack does not declare, we give three references with PMIDs instead of a vague sentence about research, and we print the pregnancy caution with the study behind it rather than omitting it. We also corrected a Regional Names table on this page that had been transliterating the product name into nine alphabets and calling it a set of regional names.
Is it available at Riddhish Herbals?
Yes — Vasa Ghanvati is in stock at riddhishherbals.com and at our Gujarat retail stores, with pan-India delivery and a proper bill, doctor-guided selection since 2015.
Regional Names & Spelling Variants
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Local / common name (Gujarat) — અરડૂસી (Aradusi / Ardusi) | The name most customers in our home market actually use. Also written Ardusi, Aradusi, Ardusa. |
| Sanskrit (romanised only — see note) | Vāsā · Vāsaka · Aṭarūṣa · Siṃhāsya · Vṛṣa · Siṃhaparṇī |
| Hindi | अडूसा (Adusa) · अड़ूसा (Arusa) · वासक (Vasak) |
| Gujarati | અરડૂસી (Aradusi) |
| Marathi | अडुळसा (Adulasa) |
| Bengali | বাসক (Basak) |
| Tamil | ஆடாதோடை (Aadaathoadai / Adathodai) |
| Telugu | అడ్డసరం (Addasaram / Addasaramu) |
| Kannada | ಆಡುಸೋಗೆ (Aadusoge) |
| Malayalam | ആടലോടകം (Adalodakam) |
| English · Botanical · Part used | Malabar Nut, Vasaka · Adhatoda vasica Nees (syn. Justicia adhatoda L.), family Acanthaceae · Leaf (Patra) |
| Romanised search variants | Vasa · Vasaka · Vasa Ghanvati · Vasaka Ghanvati · Adusa · Arusa · Adulsa · Ardusi · Adathodai · Malabar Nut · Adhatoda |
| Common misspellings | Vaasa · Vasika · Adhatoda vassica · Adusaa · Ghanwati · Ghanvatti |
Related at Riddhish Herbals
Vasa Patra 100gm — the plain dried leaf, the raw herb itself · Vasa Tablets 100gm — the same herb in plain tablet form · Vasa Ghanvati 60 Tablets — the same preparation in a smaller pack · Brihat Vasavaleha 200gm — the classical Vasa avaleha · Pushkarmool Churna 100gm — another classical single herb · Ayurvedic Raw Herbs & Materials
