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Ayurveda is a veda (book) of ayush (life). To lead a healthy life and to get rid of or to get cured of diseases, herbs are being used since ancient time. Each and every dravya has it's own guna (property) and karma (function), by which the dravya is utilised for remedial purposes.
The science in which dravya is studied in detail is called as Dravya-guna-vigyan (Herbology). Dravya-guna-vigyan is based on the ideas of satva-raja-tama, panchmahabhootas and various experiences derived from the study of balance-imbalance of basic components of the universe.
Dravya-guna-vigyan has been formulated in context with swasthya (health) and rugna (disease). The basic ideas have been developed keeping the patient in mind. Dravya-guna-vigyan is thus a science of treatment.
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| The concept of herbology (dravya-guna-shastra)
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Dravya-guna-shastra is not only a useful factor for swasthya (maintenance of health) and chikitsa (treatment) but is also the chief factor involved in various substances as well as non-substances which are instrumental in vitiating health and creating disharmony in the equilibrium of body components. The use of Dravya-guna-shastra is necessary for restoring this equilibrium.
If drugs are to be used then thorough knowledge of these is
essential.
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| According to Vedas...
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It has been seen, that mention of the use of medicinal plant is found in all the four Vedas namely
Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and
Atharvaveda. Ayurveda, which is a text on the preventive and curative aspects of disease, is a part of
Atharvaveda.
Herbs are being used
since ancient time to maintain health, to treat disease and regain
the healthy state of mind and body. All the above mentioned Vedas have
described herbs (medicinal plants) in different ways but the concept of pran
(life) is common to all.
According to Rigveda one who possesses a variety of
herbs should be called as a vaidya (Ayurvedic Physician). In
Atharvaveda mainly four types of treatments have been mentioned:
- Atharvani
- Angirasi
- Daivi
- Manushi
Among these four, Manushi refers to the use of
plants in its treatment.
Treatment by dravyas or herbs of plant origin is given more
emphasis than by animal source. The panchabhautik composition of herbs, their
rasas, vipak, veerya etc. are classified on the basis of their action. Though medicinal classification is action based, it is also done on morphological basis in relation to diet.
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| Herbs are used in the following forms
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Formula Name |
Meanings |
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Kashaya |
Decoctions. |
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Churana |
Powders. |
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Ghrut |
Ghee
preparation. |
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Ras |
Mercuric
preparation. |
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Mishra |
Miscellaneous
preparations |
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Gutika |
Pills. |
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Avleha |
Linctus
(syrups). |
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Tail |
Oil. |
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Lepa |
External
application. |
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Dhup |
Fume,
fumigation. |
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Aasavarishta |
Tonic
wines. |
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Dumra |
Smoking. |
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Nasya |
Nasal
drops. |
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Anjan |
Corrylim
(drugs used for internal application in eyes). |
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Kalp |
Mixture
of drugs. |
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Guggul |
Guggul,
extract of gum. |
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Pak |
Semi -
solid sweet preparation. |
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