In Ayurvedic medicine, malabar nut (Adhatoda vasica) has been used for a multitude of disorders including; bronchitis, leprosy, blood disorders, heart troubles, thirst, asthma, fever, vomiting, loss of memory,  jaundice, tumors, mouth troubles, sore-eye, fever, and gonorrhea.

AV has an antiinflammatory action on the respiratory tract and is effective in respiratory tract infection. The alkaloids vasicinone and vasicine have potent bronchodilator and antiallergic activity. Owing to these activities, AV is effective in acute asthma conditions.