ETHNOBOTANICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SARACA ASOCA BARK: A REVIEW

Ansari Sana Kauser, Azhar Hasan, Shabir Ahmad Parrey, *Wasim Ahmad

ABSTRACT

Ashok Chhaal is the bark of Saraca asoca. The plant is a medium sized evergreen tree. It is widely distributed throughout Indian Subcontinent in evergreen forests up to an elevation of about 750 meters. Its propagation is done by the seeds. It grows well in tropical and subtropical climate. The plant bark is valuable remedy for uterine and menstrual trouble. The plant has shown diverse biological and pharmacological activities. It has been used in Unani Medicine (Tibb-e-Unani) and other Traditional Systems of Medicine since a long time. Keeping in view the medicinal importance of the drug in Unani Medicine, an attempt has been made to review the available literature on traditional uses and pharmacological properties of the plant.

Keywords: Saraca asoca, Ashok Chhaal.