Bijaka or Asana - The the blood purifier

      Bijaka, also known as Asana is one of the most commonly found herb in India. The name Asana itself means that the plant is very beneficial in alleviating Diabetic disease. The herb is commonly known as Indian Kino tree. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Bijaka in conditions involving vitiation of all three doshas-Vata Pitta and Kapha as the herb alleviates all the doshas. The herb is effective in controlling Diabetes, Skin diseases and bleeding disorders. Bijaka can be also be used as an Astringent, Anthelmintic and Blood purifier. The herb contains Phytoconstituents like Kinotannic acid, kino red, resins etc and it aids in it’s Blood purification action.

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Pterocarpus marsupium      

Family :  Papilionaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

Heart wood

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Udardaprasamana varga (alleviates allergic disorders)

Susruta Samhita – Salasaradi gana

Pharmacological action

Astringent 

Anthelmintic 

Blood purifier

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

Rasayana ( Rejuvanative )

Rakta sodhaka(Blood purifier)

Krimighna (Antimicrobial )

Jwaraghna (Reduces fever )

Therapeutic indications

Vitiligo (Switra)- Intake of Milk processed with Bijaka will alleviate Vitiligo 

Diabetes (Prameha)- Decoction prepared from Bijaka is useful in checking Diabetes.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 5 g

Decoction (Kashaya )- 60 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

Asana kwatha

Ayaskriti

Asana bilwadi taila

Morphology :

A moderate sized tree with golden brown heart wood. Leaves are oblong and glabrous. Inflorescence is terminal panicles. Flowers are pale yellow. Fruits are of pod type 

Vernacular names of Bijaka

English – Indian kino tree

Hindi- Vijayasar

Malayalam – Venga

Sanskrit -Asana 

Synonyms 

Asana

Mahasarja

Sugandhi

Rasapanchaka of Bijaka

Rasa- Kashaya (Astringent ) 

Guna-  Laghu (Light)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid ) 

Virya- Ushna (hot)

बीजक: कुष्ठवीसर्पश्वित्रमेहगुद कृमीन् ।

हन्ति श्लेष्मास्त्रपित्तञ्च त्वच केश्यो रसायनः ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Vatadi varga-shloka 29)

Bijaka alleviates all three doshas because of it’s properties like Hot potency and Astringent taste etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb Bijaka to alleviate conditions like Diabetes, Skin ailments, Vitiligo etc. Ayurvedatarian also conducts various research program about the herb to prepare more medicines to improve health.

Researches on Bijaka

https://www.liveayurved.com/medicinal-plant-bijaka.shtml

Frequently asked Questions

What are the uses of Asana kashaya?

Decoction of Asana is used to treat Sthoulya (Over weight).

What is the Dosage of Asana kwatha?

          Asana kwatha can be taken internally at a dose of 60 ml for an adult.