There has always been a strong relationship between man and medicinal plants. Right from the start of civilisation plants have been used as medicine by men and animals, probably by animals before men. Ayurveda, born out of the Vedas, has always had a close bond with herbal plants.
Rig veda describes use of several parts of the plant, like flowers, roots bark, resin, tender leaf etc in medicinal preparations. It mentions “soma” as a divine and sacred plant with unusual properties. Rice cooked in the pure and holy waters of Himalayas flavoured with turmeric was considered to be the best cure for heart and liver ailments. The Atharva veda also prescribes use of plants for therapeutic purposes (see table below)
Some Medicinal Plants Mentioned in Atharva Veda
Plant Effects
Arka (Calotropis Procera) Enhances virility
Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) For hereditary diseases
Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera) Cleanses the body
Udumbara (Ficus Racemosa) Promotes strength, improves fertility
Kustha (Saussurea Lappa) Febrifuge
Bhrngraj Improves complexion, promotes hair
growth
Guggulu Effective against vata
Jivanti (Leptadenia retulata) Promotes strength
Pippali (Piper Longum) Febrifuge: for vata disorders
Prsniparni (Uraria Picta) For piles, female genital disorders
Vasa (Acorus Calamus) Antidote to poison
Bilva Antidote to snake poison
Daruharidra (Coscinium fenestratum) Effective against pallor, jaundice
Atharva veda considers some of the plants like Dharba, guggulu, satavari, udumbara have the power to protect against misfortunes and disorders. It advises use of these herbs as Amulets. Before the origin of samhitas written by disciples of Athuya Punarvasu, Dhanwantri etc, healing herbs were endowed with magical properties. The samhitas were more rational and scientific in their approach. The samhita literature of Ayurveda from the time of Carka and Susrutha shows a picture of systematic developments. The Ayurvedic texts made their way beyond Indian shores into Egypt, Greece and Rome. Dioscorides mentions in his book a number of aromatic drugs for which India has been always famous. Indian perfumes were in great demand in Rome. and other countries. Pliny also refers to a heavy drain of Roman Gold to India in buying costly herbs and aromatic spices. In about 400 B.C. cinnamon oil was exported from India to European countries.
Caraka samhita was well known in Arabia. It was translated into Arabic in the 8th or 9th century A.D. Several other Indian texts and Materia Medica were trasnlated into Arabic. Several Indian drugs like liquorice, vasa (Acorus calamus), asafoetida, pepper, lac, myrrh, red sandal and the chebulic myrobalans were included in the Arabic medicine.
Number of plants mentioned in ancient texts.
1. Rig Veda – 67.
2. Yajuveda – 81
3. Atharva Veda – 290
4. Susrutha samhita – 600
5. Caraka samhita – samhita contains 1990 plant names of which 627 have been identfied
6. Astanga hrudaya – 600 to 700
Ancient chinese texts show usage of medicinal plants as much as 7000
years back. To day’s modern medicine has identified more than 1,44,545 plants. Thanks to the start given by the swedish scientist, Cal Linneus, father of modern Botany, classification in modern Botany is very clear.
Acharya Susrutha classifies edible plants into 15 categories. Acharya caraka uses different classification. He groups herbs on their effect of diseases – Grahi (causing constipation), Kandooghnam (skin diseases), Kirmighnam (destroying worms), Jeevaneeyams (controlling poisons). There are morphological classification also – Shookadhanyam (wheat barley), shameedhanyam (Green gram, black gram), shaka (Drumstick leaves, greens), phalam (Mango, coconut)
Caraka also described in detail the methods for preparation of Ayurvedic formulations, from herbs. These were elaborate and involved several stages of processing. To suit every type of patient, medicines were prepared in 23 forms – powder, decoction, juice, emulsion, pills, paste, oil etc. The routes of administration were oral, nasal, rectal and dermal. These formulations were based on hundreds of plants, which out numbered animal and mineral products used. Drug formulations in Caraka samhita represented a large collective experience.
A small herbal garden in and around the house may prove to be very beneficial. Some quick reliefs can be obtained, as listed below.
1. Touch me – not (Mimosa pudica) – For diabetes
2. Sahadevi (Vernonia cinerea) – cures delirious fever
3. Pashanabhedi (coleus Aromatics) cures fever in children
4. Ikshu (saccharum officinarum) roots – used in milk, controls fits
5. Pomogranate – Reduces Ulcer
6. Durva grass (Cynadon dactylon) – mixed with butter and taken, helps growth in children.
7. Cartrops (Tribulus Teritris) used for prostate gland weakness.
8. Tulsi leaves (Oscimum Sanctum) – Eating 7 to 8 leaves of Tulasi on empty stomach, prevents fever.
Ayurveda is a fairly well established medical science of its own, with a rich Materia Medica which includes herbal, animal and mineral products. Plants form the basis of life. Planting of herbs in gardens and house must be encouraged.
