ADATHODAI ( BOTANICAL NAME: ADATHODA VASCIA)

                                      ADATHODAI ( BOTANICAL NAME: ADATHODA VASCIA)

 Adahodai herbal plant is well known in the village areas of Tamil Nadu. Goats do not eat these leaves so the name adathodai to this plant.

The herb grows in waste land and fence of the garden. Leaves are long broad and ovate shaped. White flowers arise from condensed spikes, fruits capsules. all parts are tasting bitter so untouched by the goats, hence the name adathodai. 

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Vasicine is the main component in the leaves . Certain alkaloids are present in the leaves

The herb is anti oxidant, antibiotic, anti diabetic, antispasmodic, diuretic, hypo tensive, sedative bronchodilator and anti-hemorrhagic

Preparation of adathodai extract is very easy. allow the adathodai leaves in water and strain 

to the extract. The roots are also washed well and cut into pieces and used to make the 

decoction or kashayam. you can flavor this extract with honey and cardomom.

The medical uses of this kashayam as follows:

Consumption of this extract daily reduces cough, cold, blood pressure, fever, tuberculosis.

Since it is a good expectorant it cures asthma and bronchitis complaints when it is prepared with liquorice, and long pepper.

The paste of adathodai leaves is used to reduce arthritis complaints and pain.

The intake of kashayam cures urinary complaints.

The decoction of adathoda leaves control dysentery.

The adathoda roots and the roots of kandaankathiri herb are adding together and the

 extract drained from the boiled contents with honey cures cough.

It cures asthma complaints when inhale its smoke.

The leaves of adathodai are fried in a mud pan and athimathuram, sitrathai thaisapathiri 

thippili or long pepper honey are boiled and concentrate and filter the extract of the leaves.

 this extract is to be given twice morning and night for three days to expel the phlegm from the chest.

This extract is called as adathodai kudineer by the  Siddha doctors and patients.In case of chronic wheeze, the following time-tested preparation can be used.

Prepare a decoction using adathoda leaves, terminalia chebula (kadukkai), and grapes. Add honey and palm candy to this decoction and take it three times a day after food. 

Continue this till there is no wheezing.

Another combination is to prepare a decoction of adhathoda root, kandankathiri root, dry ginger, horsegram and adding powder of alli kizhangu (nymphaea rubra) tuber.

This is also effective in curing wheezing.

The juice obtained from the leaves can be used to treat bloody stool and mucus in stool

The dry leaves can be rolled and smoked as a cigar to treat wheezing. 

The flower of adathoda can be used to treat ailments of eye. For this, the flowers are slightly shown on fire and then placed on the eyelids. Regular application is said to cure eye irritation and other minor ailments.

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