Vasaka is known as ‘Malabar Nut’ in English, ‘Adhathodai’ in Tamil, ‘Vasa’ in Telugu and ‘Arusha’ in Hindi, is a potent ayurvedic plant that enhances the respiratory system. The plant has manifold curative properties and is an ultimate remedial measure for a lot of health anomalies like breathing trouble, cough, and cold, nasal congestion, sore throat, asthma, bronchitis, other upper respiratory tract infections, bleeding disorders, etc.

Vasaka which goes by the botanical name Adathoda vasica is a tall, evergreen, herbaceous shrub that is not only native to the Indian subcontinent but also distributed throughout Nepal, Srilanka, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China. The plant features yellow coloured bark, lance-shaped leaves, white and purple flowers, and pubescent club-shaped capsular fruits.

Famed as a natural expectorant, Vasa has a rich concentration of bioactive components like Vasicine, Luteolin, Carotene, Vasakin, other quinazoline alkaloids, and essential oils. The leaves are abundant in phytochemical constituents like tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolics. Imbued with powerful properties like antitussive, a bronchodilator, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, etc, the plant is useful for a host of therapeutic indications like upper respiratory infections, tuberculosis, etc.

Recurrent coughs and congested throat can cause a lot of discomfort and prevent a peaceful good night’s sleep while making you feel tired and exhausted. Being rich in anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and expectorant properties, Vasaka holds high significance in treating the common cold, cough and flu symptoms. It also reduces chest and nasal congestion gets rid of excess sputum and stops nasal discharge. It is also highly effective in treating asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and other respiratory illnesses.

It is one of the oldest herbs known to mankind, tulsi’s healing and healthful properties have been the most treasured knowledge across the world. Holy Basil or Tulsi, is considered sacred in Hinduism and is worshiped as ‘Goddess of Devotion’ in many of the Indian households. Tusi is cultivated for religious and medical purposes and also for its essential oil which is often used in Ayurveda. Tulsi leaves are used in a variety of culinary preparations. In addition to the flavour, the culinary herb is said to preserve and enhance the properties of the food. From a healthy gut to stronger immunity, the benefits of tulsi leaves are quite a lot. We all know about the spiritual significance of cultivating the Tulsi plant, but let us unveil more of Tulsi’s benefits.

Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory

Tulsi is packed with strong anti-inflammatory properties that cure a variety of diseases and disorders. It contains enzyme-inhibiting oils, including eugenol, citronellol and linalool. The anti-inflammatory properties of tulsi help lower inflammation, lowers the risk of heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions. Chewing of Tulsi leaves soothes fever, headache, sore throat, cold, cough, flu.

Packed with Disease-Fighting Antioxidants

Tulsi essential oil has the ability to help fight free radical damage while protecting DNA structure and cells. Tulsi contains two water-soluble flavonoid antioxidants, orientin and viceninare that strengthen the immune system, protect the cellular structure, DNA and delay the effect of skin ageing.

You may or may not be aware, but mulethi or liquorice is quite a popular ingredient in South Asian countries, especially India. But this is not just for its role as a flavouring agent, but also because it has innumerable health benefits. This is the reason why mulethi is mentioned extensively in ayurvedic texts as well as Chinese traditional medicinal texts.

Mulethi roots are usually found in both raw and powdered form which makes them easy to use in everything from dal to tea. Here are a few benefits you can garner from adding mulethi to your dishes and drinks:

Thanks to its expectorant and bronchodilator properties, mulethis actually helps keep the respiratory tract clear and healthy. It can cure conditions like bronchitis, sore throat, cough and colds, and also help treat asthma.

Having mulethi regularly with your tea can help you keep many ailments at bay. What’s more, this ingredient is very easily available in all parts of India.

Dried ginger (sonth) is the underground bulb which belongs to the main plant. The flesh can be of different colours yellow, white or red. The herb is mostly grown in Asia and is widely used as a condiment for cooking purposes. Dried ginger contains certain therapeutic benefits which can help improve the health of a person. Therefore, the underground stem can be used in a variety of ways powdered, fresh, dried, or in the form of oil or juice.

Dried ginger can be used as a natural remedy to treat a number of illnesses. In fact, it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.

A dry ginger powder can help cure a common cold and cough. It also helps reduce the phlegm production.