A Text Book of Dravyaguna Vijnana (Set of 3 Volumes)

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This book written by Dr. Prakash L Hegde M.D(Ayu), PhD(Ayu) and Dr. Harini A M.D(Ayu) is a good addition to the field of Dravyaguna. The book is written as per new CCIM Syllabus which consist detailed and essential information about 104 medicinal plants.

Method of explanation is very systematic and information is very useful which are collected from different classical texts, nighantus, and other relevant modern text books which enables the reader to have comprehensive knowledge about the medicinal plants.

The resourceful information given in the book is very handy for BAMS (undergraduates), M.D/M.S (post graduates), academicians , researchers and industrialists.

Dr. Prakash L Hegde, M.D(Ayu),PhD (Ayu) currently working as Professor and Head Department of Dravyaguna ,SDM College of Ayurveda , Hassan , Karnataka. He has obtained his Post Graduates Degree from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Ayurveda (NIA) Jaipur , Jodhpur University . Author is a gold medalist from University of Mysore, and has profound theoretical and practical knowledge in Dravyaguna. He has 11 years of teaching experience and awarded as best teacher from the college in the year 2012. Text Book of Dravyaguna, Volume-I written by the author is well accepted throughout India. Author has delivered many speeches in national and international seminars.

I am happy to go through this book entitled "A Text Book of Dravyaguna" written by Dr. Prakash L. Hegde, M.D. (Ayu), PhD.(Ayu) and Dr Harini A. M.D.(Ayu), who have commendable experience as a teacher and researcher in the field of Dravyaguna.

This comprehensive book includes various concepts of Dravyaguna with lucid & relevant explanations of both classical & modem view. The authors have elaborately referred all major classical texts with commentaries & Nighantus for complete information on every topic. For a clear & absolute understanding of the basic concepts of Dravyaguna, analyzing them in the light of Modem Pharmacology becomes invaluable. The present book is one such honest effort in this direction. I believe that it will fill the current information gap & also meet the educational need of undergraduate & post graduate students who are being trained in this area, for which this book has been especially designed.

This book would be of immense value to graduates, post graduates, teachers of Ayurveda and for the community interested to know about the basic concepts of Ayurvedic Materia medica.

I appreciate & congratulate the authors for their painstaking efforts in producing this work, which I hope will go a long way & contribute significantly to our existing knowledge in this area. May Lord Dhanvantari bless & help them to bring out many more publications in the future for the benefit of the Ayurvedic fraternity.

Man from the very beginning has been aware of the problems of life and for a very long time has been taking care of his health through various means. Ayurveda, which literally means the science of life, is the natural healing system of India, its traditional medicine going back to ancient times. Its originality and holistic approach whose principles of therapeutics are applicable universally remain time tested even to this day. In the course of its life science, plants make an immense impact as either food or medicine.

Plants affect different facets of life, such as cultural, economical, medical and spiritual. Since time immemorial, plants have been extensively used by man for maintenance of health and for treatment of myriad of illnesses. This has been discovered from the clay tablets etched by early man before he was able to record the medicinal value of plants on papyrus parchment.

In India, the earliest mention of the use of medicinal plants is found in the Rigveda which was written between 4500-1600 B.C. A detailed account of the world's first symposium on medicinal plants is given in the first chapter of Vrihat Samhita and since 1600 B.C., the amount of literature on this subject is boundless.

In the course of evolution, long before, Jagdish Chandra Bose demonstrated the sign of life in plants by his scientific experiments, Vedic seers realized it in Chandogya Upanishad (6-11.1). But it was only in the period of the Ayurvedic Samhitas, that there were serious attempts in studying plants scientifically and systematically.

It is interesting to observe that the knowledge about plants is based on a sophisticated, indigenous knowledge category called Dravyaguna. Though termed as a discipline only during Nighantu period by Narahari, author of Raja Nighantu, the classical texts of Ayurveda, i.e. Brahatrayee stand testimony to the fact that Dravyaguna (Concepts) formed an integral part of the science in understanding the mechanism of action of plants (food/medicine) on man.

Importance of Dravyaguna

One of the renowned scholars of Dravyaguna of Yester- year, Prof. P.V. Sharma has aptly defined Dravyaguna as,

Dravyaguna is a science which deals with Guna (Properties), Karma (Actions) and Prayoga (Therapeutics) of Dravya (Drugs).

In the context of Dravyaguna, Dravya refers to Karya Dravyas only. As previously pointed out, Narahari, author of Raja Nighantu laid emphasis on Nighantu (Encyclopedia) by stating that Nighantus form an integral part of a Physician.

Acharyas used medicinal plants judiciously as food and medicine. Ayurveda is well known as the "Triskandha Ayurveda" which refers to the triads or three pillars of Ayurveda.

One among these is the Aushadha. Hence an in-depth and systemic knowledge of Ausadha is indispensable for Swastha (Healthy) and Atura (Diseased). For successful treatment, co- ordination and co-existence of Chatuspada is extremely essential. These are Bhisak (Physician), Dravya (Medicines), Upasthata (Nurse/Attender) and Rogi (Patient), which form the four limbs of the treatment. On keen observation, Dravya (Medicine) stands only second, reiterating its importance in treatment. It goes without saying the importance of knowledge of Dravya i.e., Dravyaguna Vignana.

Opium obtained from Ahiphena (Poppy) is indeed an excellent medicine. In modern times, Morphine obtained from this has been a great boon, as one of the best analgesics of all times. But the sad story is that the very same Morphine has been the bane of addiction. Hence retrieving the boon or bane of a drug lies in its judicious usage. Similarly Vatsanabha (Aconite) which runs foremost as a Mahavisa, on purification turns out to be an excellent remedy for various illnesses.

Many such examples can be cited in nature and that's why, our acharyas have rightly said,

Hence logical application of Dravyas is very essential for treatment. Hence, a detailed knowledge of Dravyas, its properties takes prime importance.

A physician who has the ability to utilize Dravya acc to the condition and patient for treatment is judged as the 'Srestha Vaidya'.

One can utilize Dravyas judiciously for treatment only when one is diligent with the knowledge of the drugs. And for this, knowledge of basic principles which govern Dravyas is equally important. Those basic principles come to be called as the Sapta Padarthas, which include Dravya, Guna, Rasa, Vipaka, Virya, Prabhava and Karma.

Ayurveda elucidates means for healthy living and measures to combat disease. The fundamental principles on which Ayurveda has evolved is time tested and relevant to this day. Hence Ayurveda stands resilient even today and has emerged as the global health care system.

Scope of Dravyaguna

A thorough knowledge of Dravyaguna can be utilized at various sectors. To name a few:

1. Research: There is immense scope to evolve new techniques to evaluate the Padarthas of Dravyaguna. Hence, research on basic principles of Dravyaguna could be challenging. The need for new agro-techniques should be evolved to meet the ever increasing demand for medicinal plants. And appropriate incorporation of tissue culture / biotechnology to conserve endangered species/red listed plants would be note-worthy and a contribution to this environment.

2. Farming: With increasing demand for Ayurveda as a healing science, there has been a dire need to acquire medicinal plants in large quantities as never before. Acquiring them from wild has its own disadvantages; hence farming these medicinal plants with a buy back from pharmaceutical companies is indeed lucrative. So also, setting up nurseries to cater to the needs of farmers looks bright.

3. Commercial: Due to increased demand of medicinal plants from pharmaceutical companies in India and abroad, export of raw drugs, extracts, plants is an open venture for entrepreneurs.

4. Community services: Creating awareness among the common public, regarding medicinal plants, its usage as simple home remedies and growing them in kitchen garden can become a part of 'one's social services.

5. Quality control of Medicinal plants: With stringent rules in the quality of medicinal plants used and authenticity of the species used, quality control of medicinal plants is an emergency trend. Setting up labs for the same is the need of the hour.

6. Environmental: Conserving the endangered / red-listed plants. Conserving bio-diversity of specific eco-zones is necessary for future generation to enjoy the benefits of medicinal plants.

7. Clinical: The best clinician is one who can make use of medicinal plants to its full benefit in a patient. A thorough knowledge on medicinal plants, its basic principles gives him an upper hand to utilize single drugs and combination of drugs with more accuracy and thus be a successful clinician.

8. Academic: Teaching Dravyaguna to the students and scholars of Ayurveda, who are the future torch bearers of this Science.

Oushadhajnana forms one of the triad among the 'Trisutras of Ayurveda'. For a better understanding and to have good authority in dealing with the diseases and treating comprehensively, knowledge about medicinal plants becomes an essential tool.

Obtaining comprehensive data on medicinal plants is a daunting task. It becomes even tougher to an undergraduate student to search information from various sources. One book which caters ample information on medicinal plants from classical and modern literature, highlighting the significant features and clinical efficacy is the need of the hour. This helps undergraduate students and postgraduate scholars to comprehend and present effectively during examinations.

This book systematically presents the medicinal plants as specified by the revised syllabus of Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and aptly covers the points as enlisted by the syllabus.

Equal emphasis is given to botanical identification and Ayurvedic perspective of every plant. The book highlights the therapeutic usage in various ailments which will kindle interest among students, scholars and practitioners. This enables them to select an appropriate medicinal plant in a given condition.

Research corner helps postgraduate scholars to take cue from previous work done and look for new avenues in Research.

Classical references from Nighantu with shlokas, makes this a one stop book for information on medicinal plants.

Synonyms are arranged methodically which helps students to remember them and identify medicinal plants as well.

Adulterants and substitutes are clearly mentioned which helps in clarifying the genuine plant and overcomes controversy.

Essentially this book provides and facilitates knowledge quest and fulfils the need of readers.

Ayurveda elucidates means for healthy living and measures to combat disease. The fundamental principles on which Ayurveda has evolved is time tested and relevant to this day, Hence Ayurveda stands resilient even today and has emerged as the global health care system.

Scope of Dravyaguna

A thorough knowledge of Dravyaguna can be utilized at various sectors. To name a few: 1. Research: There lays immense scope to evolve new tech- niques to evaluate the Padarthas of Dravyaguna. Hence, research on basic principles of Dravyaguna could be challenging. The need for new agro-techniques should be evolved to meet the ever increasing demand for medicinal plants. And incorporation of tissue culture I biotechnology to conserve endangered species/red listed plants would be note-worthy and a contribution on to this environment.

2. Farming: With increasing demand 'for Ayurveda as a healing science, there has been a dire need to acquire medicinal plants in large quantities as never before. Acquiring them from wild has its own disadvantages, hence farming these medicinal plants with a buy back from pharmaceutical companies is in- deed lucrative. So also, setting up nurseries to cater to the needs of farmers looks bright.

3. Commercial: With the demand of medicinal plants from pharmaceutical companies in India and abroad/ export of raw drugs, extracts, plants is an open venture for entrepreneur.

4. Community services: Creating awareness among the common public, regarding medicinal plants, its usage as simple home remedies and growing them in kitchen garden can be- come a part of one's social services.

5. Quality control of Medicinal plants: With stringent rules in the quality of medicinal plants used and authenticity of the species used, quality control of medicinal plants is required Setting up labs for the same is the need of the hour.

6. Environmental: Conserving the endangered /red-listed plants. Conserving bio-diversity of specific eco-zones is necessary for future generation to enjoy the benefits of medicinal plants.

7. Clinical: The best clinician is one who can make use of medicinal plants to its full benefit on a patient. A thorough knowledge on medicinal plants, its basic principles gives him an superior hand to utilize single drugs and its combinations with more accuracy and thus be a successful clinician.

8. Academic: Teaching Dravyaguna to undergraduates and postgraduates, the torch bearers of Ayurveda is indeed note- worthy to keep the flame of Dravyaguna alive.

Oushadha jnana forms one of the triad among the 'Trisutras of Ayurveda'. The knowledge about herbs becomes an essential tool for a better understanding and for a comprehensive treatment.

Obtaining ample data on medicinal plants is a daunting task. With limited time available for undergraduate students, it becomes tougher to search information from various sources A single book which caters to all- inclusive information or medicinal plants from classical and modern literature, highlighting the significant features and clinical efficacy is the need ol the hour. This helps undergraduate students and postgraduate scholars to comprehend and present effectively during examinations.

This volume presents the medicinal plants as specified by the revised syllabus on Non detail drugs (Paper-II, Part B) of Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) systematically. It not only covers the syllabus points but also gives encompassed information about each medicinal Plant.