Vasaka

Vasaka is a small, evergreen, perennial shrub .The flowers are large, dense, terminal spikes with large bracts. It is sometimes cultivated as a hedge plant and the twigs and leaves used as 'green manure'. It is also found in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The Leaves, roots, flowers and bark of Vasaka has been used in Indian medicine for over 2000 years. It is often referred that the leaf buds are chewed, sometimes with ginger, by sadhus. This helps to clear the respiratory passages during their yogic breathing exercise.