Riddhish Herbals
Vasa Patra (Ardusi Leaf / Vasaka) – Adhatoda vasica Dried Leaf – Riddhish Herbals – 100g
Vasa Patra (Ardusi Leaf / Vasaka) – Adhatoda vasica Dried Leaf – Riddhish Herbals – 100g
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Vasa Patra from Riddhish Herbals is the dried leaf of Vasa — Adhatoda vasica Nees, syn. Justicia adhatoda L., family Acanthaceae — supplied as a raw Ayurvedic herb in a 100 g pack. Patra means leaf, and the leaf is the part listed for Vasa in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Bhavaprakasha Nighantu places the herb in the Guduchyadi Varga: Tikta and Kashaya in Rasa, Sheeta in Virya, Katu in Vipaka, Kapha-Pitta shamaka. Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 4 names it a principal drug in Raktapitta. This is the raw material, not a finished preparation — it is what our Vasa Ghanvati and Vasa Tablets are made from. A published review of the toxicological literature documents oxytocic and abortifacient activity for this herb's vasicine alkaloids (Claeson UP et al., 2000 — Journal of Ethnopharmacology; PMID 10967448), and it is therefore not to be used in pregnancy. Use under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic physician.
About Vasa Patra
Patra means leaf, and that is the whole of what this pack is: the dried leaf of Adhatoda vasica, the herb the classical texts call Vasa or Vasaka. It is the raw material rather than a finished medicine, and it is priced accordingly.
The leaf is the correct part. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India lists Vasa under Patra, and the classical vehicle for the herb is Vasa swarasa, the juice pressed from fresh leaves. Dried leaf is what you use when fresh is not available, which for most of India most of the year is the ordinary case. Root and flower have their own classical uses and are not substitutes.
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu places Vasa in the Guduchyadi Varga and gives it as Tikta and Kashaya in Rasa, Sheeta in Virya, Katu in Vipaka, Kapha-Pitta shamaka. In Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 4, the chapter on Raktapitta, it is named a principal drug, and it appears in the Kasa and Hikka-Shwasa chapters, Chikitsa Sthana 18 and 17, as those texts describe. Those are classical categories, recorded as the texts record them. This page makes no claim about any modern diagnosis.
There is a plain argument for buying the raw herb rather than a processed form, and it is worth stating: you can inspect it. Dried Vasa leaf has a characteristic bitter smell when crushed and a dull green colour. A tablet gives you none of that. If you know the herb, buy the leaf.
Why this page was rewritten
The copy that stood here until today carried two superscript footnote markers against sentences describing research findings — and no footnotes. The markers pointed at nothing. Sentences framed as evidence, with a citation shape but no citation, are worse than no evidence at all, because they borrow the authority of a reference without ever producing one.
It also carried a Regional Names table built the same faulty way as on our other two Vasa listings: the words “Vasa leaf” transliterated into Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and the rest, presented as the regional names of the plant. Two of the cells read वसा, which is the word for fat, not for this herb. The Malayalam name of this plant is ആടലോടകം — Adalodakam — and it was not in the table.
The replacement gives the classical record attributed to the texts it comes from, three references we verified ourselves against NCBI, and a regional-names table checked language by language. Where a script could not be verified, the romanisation is given alone and labelled as such. That is why the Sanskrit row on this page carries no Devanagari.
What is declared, and what is not
Declared: the herb (Adhatoda vasica), the part (leaf — Patra), and the net quantity, 100 g.
Not declared: whether the pack contains whole dried leaf or milled leaf powder. The listing has been described both ways in the past, and the two are used differently — whole leaf for decoction, powder for direct dosing with an anupan. We have not resolved it by guessing.
Also not declared: harvest season and drying method, neither of which most raw-herb packs in this market state. We mention them because they genuinely affect a leaf drug, not to imply anything is wrong.
The listing is tagged for pack-level confirmation. If whole-leaf versus powder matters for your use, please ask us before ordering and we will check the physical pack for you.
Key Features
- The raw herb, nothing done to it: dried Vasa leaf — Adhatoda vasica Nees, syn. Justicia adhatoda L. No extract, no tabletting, no blend. This is the material the other Vasa preparations are made from.
- The leaf is the official part: the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India lists Vasa under Patra, the leaf. This pack is that part, which is why it is named Patra.
- Classical placement, as the texts give it: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga — Tikta and Kashaya in Rasa, Sheeta in Virya, Katu in Vipaka, Kapha-Pitta shamaka. Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 4 names it a principal drug in Raktapitta.
- You can see what you are buying: that is the argument for the raw herb over any processed form. A leaf can be looked at, smelled and judged. A tablet cannot.
- Three verified references, one of them a caution: including the safety review that is the reason this page says the herb is not for use in pregnancy.
- Real regional names: Ardusi, Adusa, Adulasa, Basak, Adathodai, Adusoge, Adalodakam — source-checked. The block this replaces had two cells reading वसा, which is the word for fat.
- 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 Patra (dried leaf) | Adhatoda vasica Nees (syn. Justicia adhatoda L.) | Leaf (Patra) — the part listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India | Single raw herb, 100 g net; whole-leaf or milled form not specified on pack |
A single raw herb: the dried leaf of Adhatoda vasica, 100 g net, with nothing added. The pack does not specify whether the contents are whole dried leaf or milled leaf powder, and that is not assumed here — whole leaf is used for decoction, powder for direct dosing, and the two are not handled alike. Harvest season and drying method are likewise not stated, as is usual for raw-herb packs in this market. No extract ratio and no standardisation percentage are claimed, because this is not an extract. Tagged for pack-level confirmation.
How to Use
As directed by your Ayurvedic physician. For dried Vasa leaf the classical route is a decoction — the leaf simmered in water and strained — or, where the pack is milled, a small quantity taken with an anupan. Warm water is the usual vehicle and the classical texts also pair Vasa with honey. Because the pack does not state whether it holds whole leaf or powder, take the quantity and the method your physician specifies for this pack rather than a figure from a book. Prepare a decoction fresh each time; it is not meant to be kept. 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. Children only on physician direction. The herb is Sheeta (cooling) and Ruksha in classical character, so it does not suit every constitution equally and 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 Patra is a raw Ayurvedic herb and is not a substitute for professional medical care — please seek qualified medical attention directly for any health concern, and do not delay it in favour of a herb. Do not use during pregnancy. This is not boilerplate: 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. Children only on physician direction. This is a raw material rather than a finished medicine, so the quantity and the method both belong to your physician. 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. Dried leaf is bulky and takes up moisture readily; damp leaf loses its smell first and then goes off, so keep the pack firmly closed and keep damp hands out of it. Sunlight fades the colour of a leaf drug, which is one of the few things you can judge it by, so keep it out of the light. Do not store a prepared decoction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vasa Patra?
It is the dried leaf of Vasa, Adhatoda vasica Nees, sold as a raw Ayurvedic herb in a 100 g pack. Patra means leaf. The leaf is the part listed for this herb in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. There is nothing else in the pack.
Is this whole leaf or leaf powder?
The pack does not specify, and we are not going to assume. Whole dried leaf is used for decoction; milled powder is taken directly with an anupan. If the distinction matters for your use, ask us before ordering and we will check the physical pack.
How is this different from Vasa Ghanvati and Vasa Tablets?
This is the raw material. Vasa Ghanvati is the concentrated aqueous extract compressed into a vati, and Vasa Tablets are the tablet form. Buy the leaf if you or your Vaidya prepare your own decoction; buy a tablet if you want it ready to take. They are not interchangeable by quantity.
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, Kapha-Pitta shamaka. Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 4 names it a principal drug in Raktapitta, and it appears in the Kasa and Hikka-Shwasa chapters, Chikitsa Sthana 18 and 17. Those are classical categories as the texts give them, not claims about any modern diagnosis.
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. Two errors worth naming, because both stood on this page until today: वसा is the word for fat, not a name for this plant, and Bakas is Bengali, not Hindi.
Has Vasa been studied scientifically?
Yes, and three references are given on this page with their PMIDs. The single human trial is Chaturvedi GN et al., 1983, in Ancient Science of Life. There is also a safety review (Claeson UP et al., 2000) and an animal antitussive study (Dhuley JN, 1999), labelled here as an animal study because it is one. The earlier version of this page carried footnote markers with no footnotes behind them; that has been corrected. Individual results may vary.
Can I take this without a doctor?
It is better not to. A raw herb leaves both the quantity and the preparation method to you, the herb carries a documented pregnancy caution, and Ayurvedic dosing depends on your constitution and the 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. Dried leaf takes up moisture quickly and loses its characteristic smell as it does. Sunlight fades the colour, which is one of the few ways you can judge a leaf drug, so keep it dark. Keep damp hands out of the pack.
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?
We name the plant part, we name what the pack does not declare, and we give three references with PMIDs rather than a paragraph gesturing at research. We also removed two footnote markers from this page that had no footnotes behind them, and replaced a regional-names table that had the word for fat in two of its cells.
Is it available at Riddhish Herbals?
Yes — Vasa Patra 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 Ghanvati 100gm — the concentrated Ghana extract form of this leaf · Vasa Tablets 100gm — the same herb in tablet form · Vasa Ghanvati 60 Tablets — the Ghana form in a smaller pack · Brihat Vasavaleha 200gm — the classical Vasa avaleha · Pushkarmool Churna 100gm — another classical single herb · Ayurvedic Raw Herbs & Materials
