Basic principles

Ayurvedic medicinal plants are gate way miracles, if way of treatment and basic principles of is correct. Vata, pitta & kapha are the three elements which have definite properties to keep our body, mind and everything normal. Ayurvedic medicinal plants have been classified according to their properties like Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka. This classification help us how to manage/ work medicinal plants to cure diseases. Ayurveda says vitiation/abnormal increase in Vata, pitta & kapha are main cause of disease. Vitiation is due to increase or decrease of similar properties. All the Dravya/ substance has properties (guna), Vata, pitta & kapha have also similar properties. Properties similar to Vata, pitta & kapha, do considerably increase in related Doshas, opposite properties decreases the qualities of related Doshas. So proper identification of Ayurvedic medicinal plants is important in the field of treatment. Medicinal plants used in South India & North India are different, even though Sanskrit names are similar, but they show same action. We have classified Ayurvedic medicinal plants according to their synonyms which give exact idea or colourful pictures about medicinal plants.

Susrutha has defined Ayurveda as a science in which the knowledge of life exists or which deals with the knowledge or science of longevity. Dalhana, an authoritauthoritative commentator of Susrutha, has clarified this definition, as Ayus (life) is a combination of Sarira (body / soma), Indriyas (sense organs), Sattva (manas / psychic) and Atma (soul / spirit). Ayurveda is therefore a science in which knowledge of Sarira, Indriyas, Sattva (Mind) and Atma exists. Bramha taught eternal science of Ayurveda to Daksa. There have no clear evidence for he created a ‘Prajapathe Samhita’, but in ‘Bramha vaivarta Purana’, discussion about these, Samhita have. There have no clear evidence in Ayurvedic Samhitas.

The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India. All the Vedas-Rig, Yajur, Sam, and Atharv have contributed to the development of Ayurveda. The Shushrut samhita and the charaka samhita are great encyclopedias of medicine compiled from various sources from the 600-BC to about 500. Charaka samhita has mentioned about 341 plants while Shushrut samhita have listed 760 medicinal plants. They are among the foundational works of Ayurveda.

A number of drugs and surgical methods are developed by ayurvedic practitioners for various ailments. Ayurveda stresses on a balance of three elemental energies or humors vata (air & space - "wind"), pitta (fire & water -"bile") and kapha (water & earth "phlegm"). According to ayurvedic medical theory, these three dosas are important for health, because when they exist in equal quantities, the body will be healthy, and when they are not in equal amounts, the body will be unhealthy.

Ayurveda stresses on the use of plant-based medicines and treatments. Hundreds of plant-based medicines are employed by ayurvedic practioners. Some animal products may also be used, like milk, bones and minerals including sulphur, arsenic, lead, copper sulphate. Some metals like gold, silver and mercury are also consumed as prescribed. Many ayurvedic herbs used for therapy have shown very promising results like turmeric and its derivative curcumin are very good antioxidants. Tinspora cordifolia has been tested for its hepato- protective nature, Salvia officinalis (Common sage) may improve Alzheimer’s patients. Many plants used as rasayana (rejuvenation) medications are found potent antioxidants.