Syn. Jonesia Asoca, Roxb.
Sans. Asoka. Vern. Asok, Hind. Beng.
Dr. Roxburgh says, “when this tree is in full blossom I do not think, the whole vegetable kingdom affords a more beautiful object.” It is famed in Hindu mythology from the circumstance of Sita the wife of Rámchandra, having been confined by Rávana in a grove of asoka trees. The bark is much used by native physicians in uterine affections and especially in menorrhagia. A decoction¹ of the bark in milk, is prepared by boiling eight tolás of the bark in eight tolás of milk and thirty-two tolás of water till the latter is evaporated. This quantity is given in two or three divided doses during the course of the day, in menorrhagia. A ghrita called Asoka ghrita is prepared with a decoction of the bark and clarified butter with the addition of a number of aromatic substances in the form of a paste.
The Sanskrit name printed in Devanagari beside "Asoka", and the Sanskrit verse in footnote 1 (a recipe credited to Chakradatta), are not transcribed.