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Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 12: 599-602. 2008. Contribution
of Dravyaguna to Herbal Materia
Medica Dr. Amritpal
Singh Herbal Consultant, Ind- Swift Ltd, Issued History of Evolution of Dravyaguna Dravyaguna is essentially compilation of ancient Indian
medical knowledge. According to one estimate, 850 medicinal plants are used
in Ayurveda, the Traditional Indian Medicine
(TIM). If
history of Ayurvedic system is explored, it can be
seen that during the Vedic period, the mode of study was oral communication.
Later on several texts (samhita) including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta samhita, Agnivesha samhita, Bhela samhita, Prashara samhita, and Kashyapa samhita were composed. Later on, scholars in the medieval time felt the need to
assemble the work on Ayurveda at one stage and
several nighantu
were composed. The roots of the word nighantu lie in nigama; which
means a secretive thing. Nighantu are considered to be nucleus of Ayurvedic philosophy. Majority of the work was done
between eight to fifteenth century A.D. Important nighantu are tabulated below:
Table 1. It shows work on nighantu written
between 8th to 15th centuries. After sixteenth century, several nighantus
were composed. These are tabulated below:
Table 2. It shows work on nighantus written after 16th century. Works done in 20th century are tabulated
below:
Table 3. It shows work on nighantus written in the 20th century. Vedic era is considered to be golden period for Ayurveda. Onset
of Mogul and Some modern works are tabulated below:
Table 4. It shows recent
work on Indian medicinal plants. Nomenclature of
medicinal plants in Ayurveda Medicinal plants in Ayurveda
have several Sanskrit names and synonyms ranging from two to many. The scholars classified medicinal plants
mostly on basis of morphological and organoleptic
characters. Ashwagandha,
the name has been derived from smell of the plant resembling that of horse
stool. Sarpagandha
has been derived from serpentine shape of roots. Dughdpheni has been derived
because of the milky latex present in the drug. Although classification
mentioned in Ayurvedic texts is of little
significance in toady’s scientific world but its importance cannot for ruled
out. Some drugs used in Ayurveda are of
controversial origin and the ancient knowledge can be of great help in naming
the plants according to taxonomic standards. Even the phytochemicals
derived from medicinal plants are named according to its biological source;
examples are jatamansone and shankhpushpine.
Groups of drugs
used in Ayurveda In Ayurveda,
medicinal plants have been classified according to pharmacological action. Charaka has
described drugs in group for alleviating diseases. Like arshoghana
contains ten drugs having beneficial effect in hemorrhoids (See Charaka Samhita or
Text book of Dravyaguna
for details). Another method adopted by Charaka, is based on collection
of three or more plants having identical properties in one group. Gana in Ayurveda
signifies groups. Major drug groups of Ayurveda are discussed below: Brahatpanchmula: It is
combination of roots of five medicinal plants including Bilva
(Aegle marmelos), Agnimantha (Premna integrifolia), Shoynaka (Oroxylum indicum), Gambhari (Gmelina arborea), and Patla (Sterospermum suaveolens).
Laghupanchmula: It is
combination of roots of five medicinal plants including Shalaparni
(Desmodium gangeticum),
Prishparni (Uraria picta), Brahati (Solanum indicum), Kantkari (Solanum xanthocarpum), and Gokshura
(Tribulus terrestris).
Dashmula: It is
combination of roots of ten medicinal plants including Bilva
(Aegle marmelos), Agnimantha (Premna integrifolia), Shoynaka (Oroxylum indicum), Gambhari (Gmelina arborea), Patla (Sterospermum suaveolens),
Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum), Prishnaparni (Uraria picta), Brahati (Solanum indicum), Kantkari (Solanum xanthocarpum),
and Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). Triphala: It is
combination of fruits of three medicinal plants including Haritaki
(Terminalia chebula), Vibithaka (Terminalia belerica), and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis).
Trimada: It is
combination of three medicinal plants including Vidanga
(Embelia ribes), Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus), and Chitraka (Plumbago rosea or P. zeylanica). Trikatu: It is
combination of three medicinal plants including Pipali
(Piper longum),
Maricha (Piper
nigrum) and Sunthi (Zingiber officinale).
Chaturushana: It is
combination of Trikatu and Pipalimoola
(roots of Piper longum).
Panchakola: It is
combination of five medicinal plants including Pipali
(Piper longum),
Pipalimoola (roots of Piper longum), Chavya
(Piper chaba),
Chitraka (Plumbago rosea or P. zeylanica) and Sunthi (Zingiber officinale).
Shadushna: It is
combination of Panchkola and Maricha
(Piper nigrum).
Chaturabeeja: It is combination
of seeds of four medicinal herbs. Jivnayagana: It is
combination of Ashtavarga, Masaparni
(Teramnus labialis), Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), Jivanti (Leptadenia reticulata)
and yastimadhu (Glychyrrhiza glabra). Ashtavarga: Group of eight
medicinal plants including Jivaka (Melaxis mucifera), Rishbhaka (Melaxis acuminata), Meda (Botanical
identity is not clear), Mahameda (Polygonum verticillatum),
Kakoli (Roscoea purpuera), Ksihra-kakoli ( Trijata: It is
combination of Darchini (Cinnamonum zeylanica), Ela
(Cinnamonum cardamom), and Tejpatra. Chaturjata: It is
combination of Darchini (Cinnamonum zeylanica), Ela
(Cinnamonum cardamom), Tejpatra,
and Nagkeasra (Meusa ferrea). Panchtikta: It is
combination of Brahati (Solanum indicum), Giloy
(Tinospora cordifolia),
sunthi (Zingiber officinale), pushkarmula (Saussurea lappa), and
chirata (Swertia chirata). Dravyaguna in modern age Critical study of Dravyaguna is essential for exploring its full strength.
Drugs derived from Indian medicinal plants, either single or polyherbal, have been subjected to animal (preclinical)
testing and promising results have been published in indexed journals. Several coded formulations have been
screened for large scale clinical trials. Dravyaguna has definite role to
offer as far discovery of novel leads and hits are discovered. A fraction of
plants described in Indian Materia Medica has been scientifically tested. Medicinal plant like Aswagandha, Brahami, Mandukparni,
Kalmegha, Chiryata, Guggul, Kutki and Shatavari are
integral part of Western Herbal Materia Medica. It is worthwhile to note that several Indian
medicinal plants are part and parcel of American Herbal Pharmacopoeia ( Dravyaguna has made significant contribution to the Herbal Materia Medica. The term
‘Herbal Materia Medica’
covers global medicinal plants and is not restricted to one or other
traditional systems of medicine. Dravyaguna coupled with ‘Reverse Pharmacology’ can act as
powerful tool for discovering cost-effective and potent medicines. Note: The article is based on personal experience of the
author. |