Ashoka Tree Saraca Asoca India — Ashokarishta Sita Ashoka Encyclopedia PlantCare
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🕉️ Sacred & Medicinal Trees

Ashoka Tree / Saraca / Sita-Ashoka अशोक वृक्ष / सीता-अशोक

Saraca asoca Family: Fabaceae

Ashoka — NOT Mast Tree (common confusion!). Saraca asoca bark = Ashokarishta (2,000 yr old women's formula). IUCN Near Threatened. Orange-red flowers January-May. Sita's tree in Ramayana.

📏 7–10 metres ⏳ 50–100+ years 📈 Moderate 📍 Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, NE India up to 750m ✅ Near Threatened IUCN — wild collection restricted many states 💰 Not traded — endangered status
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Ashoka Saraca asoca NOT Mast Tree WARNING Ashokarishta 2000 Years Women Health Uterine IUCN Near Threatened Orange Red Flowers Jan-May Sita Ramayana

अशोक — Mast Tree नहीं (common confusion!)। Saraca asoca छाल = Ashokarishta (2,000 वर्ष पुरानी महिला formula)। IUCN Near Threatened। जनवरी-मई नारंगी-लाल फूल। Ramayana में Sita का पेड़।

Ashoka (Saraca asoca) — Ashoka / Sita-Ashoka / Sorrowless Tree — is one of India's most sacred and medicinally significant flowering trees. The name "Ashoka" literally means "without sorrow" in Sanskrit — and the tree has been revered for 3,000+ years as a symbol of love, hope and divine beauty. This is the tree under which Sita waited in Lanka (Ashoka Vatika in Ramayana). Emperor Ashoka took his name from this tree. The tree produces clusters of brilliant orange-red flowers that change to crimson-scarlet — one of India's most spectacular flowering tree displays, blooming from January to May. In Ayurveda, Ashoka bark is considered one of the most important medicines for women's reproductive health — it is the principal ingredient in Ashokarishta, a classical formulation used for over 2,000 years for uterine disorders, menstrual problems and reproductive health. Modern phytochemical research has confirmed significant estrogenic, anti-inflammatory and uterine-toning activity in the bark.

Ashoka (Saraca asoca) — अशोक / सीता-अशोक — India के सबसे पवित्र और औषधीय रूप से महत्वपूर्ण फूलदार पेड़ों में से एक। "Ashoka" का संस्कृत में अर्थ है "बिना दुख के" — 3,000+ वर्षों से प्रेम, आशा और दैवीय सुंदरता का प्रतीक। इसी पेड़ के नीचे Ramayana में Sita लंका में रुकीं (अशोक वाटिका)। सम्राट अशोक ने इसी पेड़ से अपना नाम लिया। January से May तक चमकीले नारंगी-लाल फूल खिलते हैं। Ayurveda में अशोक की छाल महिलाओं के reproductive health के लिए सबसे महत्वपूर्ण दवाओं में। Ashokarishta — 2,000+ साल पुरानी classical formulation — इसी की छाल से बनती है।

🌸 Overview & Quick Facts / परिचय और मुख्य तथ्य

🔬 Scientific NameSaraca asoca (syn. Saraca indica) — Family: Fabaceae / Leguminosae
⚠️ Common ConfusionNOT the same as Mast Tree / Polyalthia longifolia (also called "Ashoka"). Two completely different trees!
📏 Height / ऊंचाई7–10 metres — medium-sized evergreen tree / मध्यम आकार सदाबहार वृक्ष
Lifespan / आयु50–100+ years / 50-100+ वर्ष
🌸 Flowering / फूलJanuary–May — orange to crimson clusters. Spectacular! / जनवरी-मई — नारंगी से लाल गुच्छे। अद्भुत!
🌡️ Climate / जलवायुTropical — humid conditions. Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Northeast India. Up to 750m.
⚖️ Legal Status / कानूनीNot federally protected but critically endangered in wild — IUCN Near Threatened. Wild collection restricted in many states.
💰 Bark Value / छाल मूल्यRs.80–150/kg dried bark (high medicinal demand) / सूखी छाल Rs.80-150/kg (उच्च औषधीय मांग)

🌿 Parts & Their Uses — हर अंग का उपयोग

🟫
Bark / छाल (Most Important Part)
THE most valuable part — primary ingredient in Ashokarishta. Contains catechins, tannins, haematoxylon, estrogenic compounds. Anti-menorrhagia, uterine tonic, anti-inflammatory. Market rate: Rs.80–150/kg dried bark.

सबसे मूल्यवान हिस्सा — Ashokarishta का primary ingredient। Catechins, tannins, estrogenic compounds। Anti-menorrhagia, uterine tonic, anti-inflammatory। बाज़ार दर: Rs.80-150/kg सूखी छाल।
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Flowers / फूल
Flowers used in traditional rituals and offerings. Flower extract: research shows antioxidant, anti-stress activity. Traditionally: flowers boiled in water, cooled — used as face wash for skin clarity. Flowers edible (slightly bitter) — used in some tribal cuisines.

फूल पारंपरिक पूजा और अनुष्ठान में। Flower extract: antioxidant, anti-stress activity। पारंपरिक: फूल उबालकर ठंडा — face wash के रूप में त्वचा की चमक के लिए। फूल खाने योग्य (थोड़े कड़वे) — कुछ tribal cuisines में।
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Leaves / पत्ते
Young pendant leaves: copper-red hanging clusters — ornamental. Leaf extract: anti-diabetic, anthelmintic (deworming) activity in research. Leaves used as food plates in tribal areas. Young shoots: traditionally eaten as vegetable in some communities.

युवा लटकते पत्ते: तांबे-लाल लटकते गुच्छे — ornamental। Leaf extract: anti-diabetic, anthelmintic। पत्ते food plates के रूप में। युवा shoots: कुछ communities में सब्जी के रूप में।
🌱
Seeds / बीज
Seeds in flat pods (8–25cm). Seed powder: traditional use for urinary disorders and kidney stones. Seeds contain tannins and flavonoids. Not widely commercially traded — medicinal use limited to traditional practitioners.

चपटी फलियों में बीज (8-25cm)। बीज पाउडर: मूत्र विकारों और गुर्दे की पथरी में पारंपरिक उपयोग। Tannins और flavonoids। व्यापक व्यावसायिक trading नहीं।
🌱
Roots / जड़ें
Root decoction: traditional Ayurvedic use for menstrual disorders, leucorrhoea — similar activity to bark but milder. Root bark: anti-ulcer activity in research. Collection of roots damages the tree severely — fallen root pieces only.

जड़ का काढ़ा: मासिक विकारों, leucorrhoea में — छाल जैसा लेकिन milder। Root bark: anti-ulcer activity in research। जड़ संग्रह से पेड़ को गंभीर नुकसान — केवल गिरे हुए root pieces।
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Wood / लकड़ी
Wood: hard, reddish-brown, moderate durability. Traditional uses: agricultural implements, furniture in forest areas. NOT commercially traded due to endangered status and state protections. Value is medicinal, ornamental and ecological, not timber.

लकड़ी: कठोर, लाल-भूरी, मध्यम टिकाऊपन। पारंपरिक: कृषि औज़ार, वन क्षेत्रों में फर्नीचर। Endangered status के कारण व्यावसायिक trading नहीं। मूल्य औषधीय, ornamental और ecological।

🌍 Ayurvedic Importance & Conservation / Ayurvedic महत्व और संरक्षण

⚡ Key Facts / मुख्य तथ्य
💊 Ashokarishta
Classical Ayurvedic formulation — 2,000+ years old. Primary women's health tonic.
Classical Ayurvedic formulation — 2,000+ वर्ष पुरानी। महिलाओं के स्वास्थ्य की प्राथमिक दवा।
⚠️ Endangered / संकटग्रस्त
IUCN Near Threatened. Overexploitation of bark for medicine is primary threat.
IUCN Near Threatened। छाल का अत्यधिक दोहन प्राथमिक खतरा।
🌸 Flowering / फूल
Orange → crimson flower clusters. One of India's most spectacular spring blooms.
नारंगी → लाल फूल गुच्छे। India के सबसे शानदार वसंत फूलों में।
⚠️ Confusion Alert!
Mast Tree (Polyalthia longifolia) is ALSO called "Ashoka" — completely different tree, no medicinal value.
Mast Tree (Polyalthia longifolia) को भी "Ashoka" कहते हैं — बिल्कुल अलग पेड़, कोई औषधीय मूल्य नहीं।
🕉️ Ramayana
Ashoka Vatika — garden in Lanka where Sita was held. This exact species.
अशोक वाटिका — लंका में वह बगीचा जहां Sita रुकीं। यही प्रजाति।
🌱 Conservation
Plant Ashoka to conserve — bark demand can be met from cultivated trees sustainably.
अशोक लगाएं, संरक्षित करें — cultivated पेड़ों से छाल की मांग sustainably पूरी हो सकती है।

🌱 Growing Guide / अशोक कैसे उगाएं

ParameterEnglishHindi / हिंदी
🌱 PropagationSeeds (fresh pods, sow immediately — viability drops fast) OR stem cuttings with IBA hormoneबीज (ताज़ी फलियां, तुरंत बोएं — जल्दी viability खोते हैं) या IBA hormone के साथ stem cuttings
🪴 SoilWell-draining loamy soil. pH 6.0–7.5. Moist but not waterlogged. High organic matter.Well-draining loamy मिट्टी। pH 6.0-7.5। नम लेकिन waterlogged नहीं। High organic matter।
☀️ SunlightPartial shade to full sun. Young plants: partial shade. Mature: full sun for best flowering.Partial shade से full sun। युवा: partial shade। परिपक्व: best flowering के लिए full sun।
💧 WaterModerate, consistent moisture. Does not tolerate prolonged drought. Water 2-3 times weekly.मध्यम, consistent नमी। लंबे सूखे को सहन नहीं करता। सप्ताह में 2-3 बार पानी।
🌡️ ClimateHumid tropical. Does not grow well in very dry areas or above 750m altitude.Humid tropical। बहुत सूखे क्षेत्रों या 750m से ऊपर अच्छी तरह नहीं उगता।
🌸 Flowering tipFlowers best when roots are slightly bound — avoids excessive nitrogen fertilizer (promotes leaves, not flowers).जब जड़ें थोड़ी bound हों तो बेहतर फूल। Excess nitrogen fertilizer से बचें — पत्ते बढ़ते हैं, फूल नहीं।

💰 Market Value & Legal Status / बाज़ार मूल्य और कानूनी स्थिति

Product / उत्पादValue / मूल्यLegal / कानूनी
🟫 Bark / छालRs.80–150/kg dried — high Ayurvedic demand / उच्च Ayurvedic मांगWild collection restricted many states. Cultivated trees: bark can be harvested sustainably (never more than 25% girth).
🌸 Flowers / फूलRs.30–60/kg fresh — temple + ritual market / मंदिर + ritual बाज़ारCollection from cultivated trees freely allowed / cultivated पेड़ों से ठीक
🌱 Seeds / बीजRs.200–400/kg — nursery + medicinal nicheCollection from cultivated pods OK / cultivated फलियों से ठीक
🪵 Wood / लकड़ीNOT commercially traded / व्यावसायिक नहींEndangered species — wild cutting = serious legal risk in most states / Endangered — वन्य कटाई = गंभीर कानूनी जोखिम
❓ Frequently Asked Questions / अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
This is one of India's most important botanical confusions with real health consequences. True Ashoka (Saraca asoca): Medium tree, 7-10m. Leaves: compound, pinnate — each leaf has 4-6 pairs of leaflets. Young leaves: spectacular copper-red, pendant. Flowers: orange-red brilliant clusters, January-May. Pods: flat, dark purple when ripe. Medicinal bark — the Ashokarishta tree. Found naturally in Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Northeast India. Mast Tree / False Ashoka (Polyalthia longifolia): Tall narrow columnar tree, 10-20m. Leaves: single, lance-shaped with wavy margins, glossy green. Flowers: small, greenish, star-shaped, fragrant but inconspicuous. NO medicinal bark — NO Ayurvedic significance for women's health. Commonly planted on roadsides for shade and noise reduction. Why the confusion matters: many people buy Polyalthia longifolia bark thinking it is Saraca asoca for Ashokarishta preparation or women's health. It has NO equivalent activity. Many nurseries sell Polyalthia as "Ashoka tree" — it is cheaper and faster-growing. Always verify before medicinal use.

India की सबसे महत्वपूर्ण botanical confusions में से एक — real health consequences के साथ। सच्चा Ashoka (Saraca asoca): मध्यम पेड़, 7-10m। पत्ते: compound, pinnate — 4-6 जोड़ी leaflets। युवा पत्ते: तांबे-लाल, लटकते। फूल: नारंगी-लाल शानदार गुच्छे, जनवरी-मई। Pods: चपटी, पकने पर गहरे बैंगनी। औषधीय छाल — Ashokarishta वाला पेड़। Mast Tree / नकली Ashoka (Polyalthia longifolia): लंबा पतला columnar पेड़, 10-20m। पत्ते: एकल, lance-shaped, लहरदार किनारे, चमकदार हरे। फूल: छोटे, हरे, star-shaped — inconspicuous। कोई औषधीय छाल नहीं। Roadside पर आमतौर पर लगाया जाता है। क्यों ज़रूरी: लोग Polyalthia की छाल Saraca समझकर लेते हैं — कोई equivalent activity नहीं।
Ashokarishta is a classical Ayurvedic fermented liquid formulation with Ashoka bark as primary ingredient. Standard formulation (API — Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia): Ashoka bark decoction + dhataki flowers (fermentation agent) + other herbs including musta, haritaki, amalaki + honey/sugar for fermentation. The fermentation produces natural alcohol (3-7%) that acts as preservative and enhances bioavailability of active compounds. Therapeutic uses: (1) Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods) — Ashoka compounds reduce uterine muscle spasm. (2) Menorrhagia (heavy periods) — astringent tannins reduce bleeding. (3) Leucorrhoea — antimicrobial and astringent. (4) Uterine tonic — strengthens uterine musculature over time. (5) Post-partum recovery. Dosage: 15-30ml Ashokarishta + equal warm water, twice daily after meals. Duration: usually 3-month course minimum. Available: Dabur, Baidyanath, Patanjali, IMPCOPS — Rs.80-150 per 450ml bottle. Research: phytoestrogenic activity of Ashoka bark confirmed — catechins interact with estrogen receptors. Safety: generally safe for most adult women. Avoid in pregnancy (uterine stimulant). Consult doctor for PCOS, endometriosis or hormonal conditions.

Ashokarishta एक classical Ayurvedic fermented liquid formulation है जिसमें अशोक की छाल primary ingredient है। Therapeutic uses: (1) Dysmenorrhoea (दर्दनाक periods) — uterine muscle spasm कम। (2) Menorrhagia (अधिक bleeding) — astringent tannins। (3) Leucorrhoea। (4) Uterine tonic। (5) Post-partum recovery। Dosage: 15-30ml + बराबर गर्म पानी, दिन में दो बार खाने के बाद। Duration: न्यूनतम 3 महीने। Available: Dabur, Baidyanath, Patanjali — Rs.80-150 प्रति 450ml। Safety: अधिकतर वयस्क महिलाओं के लिए safe। Pregnancy में avoid (uterine stimulant)।
Ashoka is one of India's best garden trees — medium size, spectacular flowers, non-invasive roots. Suitable for: large gardens, compound boundaries, temple gardens, parks. Can be grown in large containers (100L+) for 5-8 years. Propagation from seeds: collect fresh pods (August-October), extract seeds, sow immediately in nursery bags (moist coco peat + compost). Germination: 15-25 days. Don't let seeds dry out — viability drops rapidly. Transplant to ground after 1 year (60-90cm height). Soil: moist, loamy, well-draining. Partial shade initially, then full sun. Watering: consistent moisture — Ashoka does not tolerate prolonged drought. Fertilizer: organic compost annually. Avoid high-nitrogen chemical fertilizer — reduces flowering. Pruning: minimal — natural shape is beautiful. First flowering: Year 3-5 from seed. Pollination: insects and birds. Pest: relatively pest-resistant. Watch for leaf curl (water stress). Important: buy from reliable nursery — confirm it is Saraca asoca, not Polyalthia longifolia (Mast Tree sold as Ashoka everywhere).

अशोक India के best garden trees में — medium size, शानदार फूल, non-invasive जड़ें। Suitable: बड़े बगीचे, compound boundary, मंदिर बगीचे। Large containers (100L+) में 5-8 साल। Seed propagation: ताज़ी pods (August-October), बीज निकालें, तुरंत coco peat + compost में बोएं। Germination: 15-25 दिन। बीज सूखने न दें। 1 साल बाद ज़मीन में transplant। पहली flowering: बीज से 3-5 साल। महत्वपूर्ण: reliable nursery से खरीदें — confirm करें Saraca asoca है, Polyalthia longifolia नहीं।
Ashoka (Saraca asoca) is listed as Near Threatened on IUCN Red List and is considered critically endangered in many parts of its range. Primary threats: (1) Bark overexploitation: Ashokarishta demand is enormous — traditional, commercial Ayurvedic, herbal supplement industry. Bark is stripped from wild trees — repeated stripping kills the tree. Illegal wild collection prevalent in Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Northeast India. (2) Habitat loss: humid forest clearing for agriculture, development. Ashoka is a humid forest understory tree — sensitive to habitat change. (3) Adulteration problem: because Saraca asoca is expensive and scarce, Mast Tree (Polyalthia) bark is substituted. This reduces demand for real Ashoka but does nothing for conservation. (4) Slow reproduction: seeds lose viability quickly, seedling establishment in disturbed habitat is poor. What you can do: Plant Ashoka at home/temple/school. Buy products with certified genuine Saraca asoca. Support nurseries growing authentic Ashoka. Never buy bark from unknown sources — likely wild-harvested illegally. Government programs: National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) has Ashoka in priority medicinal plants for cultivation support.

Ashoka (Saraca asoca) IUCN Red List पर Near Threatened है। प्राथमिक खतरे: (1) छाल का अत्यधिक दोहन: Ashokarishta की बड़ी demand — traditional, commercial Ayurvedic, herbal supplement industry। जंगली पेड़ों से छाल छीली जाती है। (2) Habitat loss: humid forest clearing। (3) Adulteration: Mast Tree छाल substitute। (4) धीमा reproduction। आप क्या करें: अशोक घर/मंदिर/school में लगाएं। Certified genuine Saraca asoca वाले products खरीदें। Government programs: NMPB के priority medicinal plants में शामिल।
Flowering season: January to May — peak February-March in most of India. The flower display is truly spectacular — clusters of 50-100 small flowers emerge from existing wood (cauliflory-like), color starting orange-yellow and intensifying to brilliant crimson-scarlet over 10-14 days. One tree in full bloom is one of India's most beautiful natural sights. Where to see in India: (1) Temple gardens across South and Central India — Ashoka is traditionally planted at temples (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra). (2) Botanical gardens: Lalbagh (Bengaluru), Sanjay Gandhi National Park (Mumbai), Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Chennai). (3) Forest areas: Western Ghats (Coorg, Munnar, Silent Valley), Eastern Ghats (Araku Valley), Northeast India (Assam forests). Young leaves: The hanging copper-red young leaves (December-January) are almost as spectacular as the flowers — appear before the flowers. Identification during flowering is easy — no other common Indian tree has this combination of compound leaves + orange-crimson dense flower clusters erupting from older branches. Photography tip: best light in early morning (7-9 AM) when flowers are freshest and dewdrops enhance the crimson color.

Flowering season: January से May — अधिकतर India में February-March peak। 50-100 छोटे फूलों के गुच्छे पुरानी लकड़ी से निकलते हैं, नारंगी-पीले से शुरू होकर चमकीले crimson-scarlet तक। एक खिला हुआ अशोक India की सबसे सुंदर प्राकृतिक दृश्यों में। कहां देखें: (1) दक्षिण और मध्य भारत के मंदिर बगीचे। (2) Botanical gardens: Lalbagh (Bengaluru), Sanjay Gandhi National Park (Mumbai)। (3) Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Northeast India। Photography tip: सुबह 7-9 AM — सबसे ताज़ी फूल, ओस की बूंदें crimson रंग को enhance करती हैं।
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