REVIEW ON DHANVANTARI NIGHANTU - AN IMPORTANT AYURVEDIC LEXICON

The word Nighantu in Ayurveda implies the group of drugs, synonyms, properties and their description of part used. Ayurveda treatment possesses herbal, mineral, animal origin products which mainly take part in the treatment of various health ailments. Dhanvantari Nighantu is one of them and is oldest Ayurvedic materia medica placed between 8th -10th AD. The original name of this lexicon is Drvayavali Samucchaya. This book contains seven Vargas namely; Guduchadi Varga, Shatapushpadi Varga, Chandanadi Varga, Karaviradi Varga, Amradi Varga, Suvarnadi Varga, and Mishrakadi Varga, and the total numbers of drugs are 527. The drugs are classified in this book are on the basis of Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka etc. The Nighantu starts with salutation to Lord Dhanvantari, then the author go on narrating the synonyms and properties of the drugs. The peculiar of this Nighantu is the Varga starts with the name of the first drug e.g, Guduchi as Guduchadi Varga. And the Vargas of the medicinal plant are explained systematically first with synonyms and then properties. Also Dadima and Kadali are not mentioned under Phala Varga but in Shatapushpadi Varga and Karaveeradi Varga respectively. The present literary study reveals the critical analysis of the text and the drugs, their properties. Further scope of study is remove the controversy of the date, plants on the basic of literature survey, gathering information by the local people, proper inspection with the microscopes, Sparsha (by touching) and compare with modern flora and fauna with taxonomical parameters

The Harita Samhita - A Literary Review on an ancient Ayurvedic text

Harita Samhita is one of the classical work on Ayurvedic medicine, which is written in between 6th to 7th century AD. This book is written in conversation module, and the conversation was between Maharshi Atreya and Acharya Harita. Acharya Harita has proposed his own new concepts in his texts. The present text is divided into six parts, viz; Prathamasthana, Dwitiyasthana, Chikitsasthana, Sutrasthana, Kalpasthana, Sharirasthana. The Harita Samhita can be included under Dravyaguna Shastra. In present work the concepts of Acharya Harita were critically analyzed and elaborated systematically. Further scope of study is to critically analyze the work of Acharya Harita and explore his views to the Ayurvedic scholars

Materia medica of Bala Dwaya - A Literary Review

Literary Dwaya means two, Bala Dwaya means two types of Bala i.e. Bala and Atibala. Bala means strength promoting, hence it bestows strength and is a tonic in general as well as rejuvenator for all kinds of Vataja disorders. The Bala is Sida cordifolia Linn. and Atibala is Abutilon indicum Linn. both belongs to Malvaceae family. Both are having Madhura Rasa, Madhura Vipaka and Sheeta Virya. In Brimhaniya Mahakashaya of Charaka Samhita it is enumerated that Vatyayani as Bala and Bhadroudini is Atibala. There are two varieties of Atibala one is big and the other is small. The big one is named as Abutilon hirtum where as the second one is named as Abutilon indicum Linn. which is smaller variety. In the Atharva Parishishta the Bala flowers can be used as Pushpabhisheka. The present study of Bala and Atibala reveals the pharmacological actions, their controversies, therapeutic application, etc. according to different Ayurvedic lexicons

Pharmacology of Shothahara Dravyas - A Literary Survey

The word Shotha refers to oedema and the drugs which relieves the Shotha (oedema) called as Shothahara Dravyas. Ayurveda enumerated number of Shothahara drugs, among them the Dashamoola have given prime importance. The Dashamoola are Bilva, Agnimantha, Shyonaka, Patala, Kashmari, Brihati, Kantakari, Shalaparni, Prishniparni and Gokshura. The roots of these drugs are used to treat oedema. The Shotha is caused by vitiated condition, due to aggravation of Vata, movement or Rasa Dhatu is obstructed. Due to this it gets accumulated in between Twacha and Maamsa, which is known as Shotha, though it is caused by Tridosha, Vatadosha has predominant role. As the Dashamoola is having the Vatagna and Shothagna property so used in these conditions. The present study reveals the reference regarding Shothagna drugs from various classical texts their Rasa Panchakas, pharmacological activities and various research works are reviewed systematically. The further scope of the study is that to make available these drugs as a standard drug (Control Drug) to evaluate the Shothagna activity with the other available drugs along with the clinical study

Introductory knowledge of Annapana Varga - A Literary Review

The word Anna refers to Ahara, means the one which is consumed to nourish the bodily tissues. In other words the nutrients which can be taken to maintain the body in healthy state are called as Anna. Carbohydrates, proteins, salts, water, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants etc. macro as well as micro nutrients play an important role in the nourishment of the body. Ayurveda itself is the only branch which tells about the healthy life style, code of conducts, spiritual practices, medicines along with Ahara Upayogi Vargas. The Vargas includes - Jalavarga, Dugdhavarga, Madhuvarga, Tailavarga, Shukadhanyavarga, Shamidhanyavarga, Phalavarga, Shakavarga, Mamsavarga etc. which all mainly take part in the maintenance of good health as well as to attain the salvation i.e. Moksha which is ultimate aim of Ayurveda