Last verified: April 2026

Vasaka

वासक -- Vasaka -- "that which has fragrance; that which gives shelter"

Vasaka is the most potent classical bronchodilatory herb in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Charaka Samhita places it in the Kasahara (cough-reducing) Gana and documents it across all five types of Kasa (cough) and for Shwasa (dyspnoea). The modern pharmacological discovery of Vasicine -- the quinazoline alkaloid that forms the basis of the pharmaceutical bronchodilator Bromhexine -- directly confirms the classical respiratory documentation.

Important noticeThis page documents what classical texts record. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Full disclaimer

Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 4.14

Kasahara... vasaka Kasaghni -- Vasaka is placed in the Kasahara (cough-destroying) group. It is specifically documented as Kasaghni (destroys Kasa), Shwasaghni (destroys Shwasa), and Krimighna (antimicrobial). It clears the Pranavaha Srotas of Kapha accumulation through its bitter and astringent qualities combined with cold potency.

Classical documentation

Ashtanga Hridayam, Chikitsasthana 4 documents Vasaka across Kasa (cough), Shwasa (dyspnoea), Raktapitta (bleeding disorders including haemoptysis), and as a specific herb for Tamaka Shwasa -- the classical condition most closely paralleling bronchial asthma. The Sheeta (cold) Virya reduces Pitta-type inflammation in the bronchial mucosa; the Tikta Rasa digests Kapha accumulation; and the Kasahara Karma directly addresses the bronchospastic component.

Vasicine and Bromhexine

Vasicine (peganine), the primary quinazoline alkaloid of Adhatoda vasica, is the precursor to Bromhexine -- the pharmaceutical mucolytic agent derived from Vasicine by oxidation. Bromhexine is on the WHO Essential Medicines List. Vasicine itself demonstrates bronchodilatory action, mucolytic effects, and uterotonic activity. This is one of the clearest documented cases of classical Ayurvedic herb knowledge informing modern pharmaceutical development.

Pregnancy contraindication

Vasicine has documented uterotonic (uterus-contracting) activity -- confirmed in both classical texts and modern pharmacology. Ashtanga Hridayam documents Vasaka as contraindicated in pregnancy. This contraindication is absolute and applies to all preparations containing Vasaka.