Vasaka

Vasaka', also called adhatoda, adalodakam or malabar nut, consists of dried, as well as fresh, leaves of the plant Justicia adhatoda L.; Sp. Pl. 1 15 1753, belonging to family Acanthaceae.

The leaves of this plant was not eaten by goats as it is bitter ( Hence the name Adu (Goat) - Thoda ( not touch). This herb is very widely found and it was common to have a brew made with these leaves boiled in water with black pepper corns added. The benefits were captured in the western system of medicine and the extracts are used in expectorants.