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Company ©Ramesh Waygaonkar and Dr. Radha Raman Das
Botany This is a research paper on astrological factors and the efficacy of Ayurvedic plants based on a study

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Introduction

Rules
EVER SINCE the birth of human beings on planet earth, man has been completely dependent on natural

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resources around him for his survival and basic needs. The story of evolution of civilization is the story of
acquisition of knowledge regarding these natural resources and their utilisation for human welfare. Since the
Disease very beginning, men have used plants for' their basic requirements of food, fodder, fuel, fiber, spices,
ContactUs condiments, oil, timber and medicine. If plants can express themselves, they will have the same opinion for
Colleges men as man has for the parasite like the flea and germ living on him.
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The stars and planets seen in the sky must have bewildered man since the very beginning. The changing
Supplier pattern of stars and planets in the sky and the happenings on the surface of the earth must have prompted
Books him to correlate the happenings of the sky with the events occurring on the surface of the earth. The relation
Life Style between lunar cycle and tides was established, perhaps, since beginning of the civilization. The recurring
changes resulting in .seasons must have fascinated man and he would have attempted to draw its relation
with the combinations of heavenly bodies which is termed as astrological phenomena.

The stars and planets act merely as pointers to the auspicious and inauspicious periods for a particular
happening in the life of human beings. For the success, therefore, human effort and auspicious moments are
both essential. Man's efforts yield maximum benefits only when they are made at an auspicious period. Man
plunges into action with full vigour but often meets with failure during inauspicious moments, but when he
acts at the auspicious moment, his achievements are phenomenal. The planets also effect plants and animals.
The falling and formation of leaves, flowering and fruiting occur during a particular season. The sunflower
capitultim moves with the movement of the Sun, opening and closing its flowers in a diurnal cycle. These
are examples of the relation between planetary movements and biological activities

The planets exert their effect on plants and their medicinal properties too. Despite the uses of all
pathological and sonographical tests, often it becomes difficult for the medical practitioner to diagnose
disease correctly and such patients are used as experimental, tools. Disease diagnosis is infalliable in
astrology. Disease diagnosis requires remedial measures for early recovery or eradication of ailment.
Shushruta and Charaka have given various good Muhurthas for treatment and administration of medicines
in Ayurvedic treatises such a Charaka Samhita. Shushruta Samhita, Nighantu, Rajnighantu etc. It has clearly
been mentioned in these treatises mat the medicinal efficacy of plants is best exhibited when they are
collected during die period of a particular Nakshatra. Preparation of medicine should also be done during
the period of that Nakshatra. The medicine so prepared, if used by the patient on the day of the Nakshatra,
will lead to early recovery. It therefore warrants an investigation to find out if there is any change in the
chemical composition of the ingredients when plants are collected and processed for medicine in particular
Nakshatras.

Ancient Indian scriptures have reference to medicinal plants being used as drugs. Such descriptions are
found in all the four Vedas. The earliest reference is found in the Rig-Veda. It has a description of 67
medicinal plants. There is a separate chapter as Oushadha Sookta. Rig-Veda 10:96/1-23 sonnets and
Yajurveda sonnets 12/77, 89, 18/12 give a list of 81 medicinal plants, whereas Atharva Veda sonnets 8/7/14
and 11/6/16-17 describes 291 medicinal plants. Ayurveda is a branch of the Atharva Veda. Elaborate
descriptions are available in Agni purana, Padma purana, Varaha Purana etc. which are of a later date.
Padma Purana Srishti Khanda 28-32, Uttara Khanda 28/13-18 and Srimad Bhagwatam, Chapter X

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22/34-35 carry references to the significance of plants. Agni purana gives a clear description of medicinal
importance for anatomical and physiological diseases in the human body. Rig-Veda, Chapter VI-22 says
"Oh Almighty God. They Grace protects water and drugs that are beneficial to mankind like a best friend."
Ayurveda is closely connected with the Rigveda and Atharvaveda. In the ancient Vedic period, various
therapies were adopted to combat ailments and various practices have been evolved as an aid to Ayurveda.
Many formulae have been prescribed in Ayurveda, though the most frequently and popularly used
formulations are thousands in number. The basic classification of plants with reference to stars and planets
has been described in Narada Purana, Narada Samhita, Sharda Tilak, Vidyarnava Tantra, Trishkandha
Purana and Brihat Sushruta. But nowhere has, a detailed study of chemical ingredients of plants been given
for such classification.

An English astronomer, herbalist, doctor and astrologer, Nicholas Culpepper, in the 17th century,
correlated stars, planets and herbs according to ruler ship e.g., chamomile having volatile oil, yellow in
colour containing anthemic acid, tannic acid and glucosides as governed by the Moon. It is used for diseases
caused by the Moon as an antispasmodic in treating cough and cold tod is tonic. Mars rules Capsicum
annum (cayenne pepper) whose chief chemical is cayennin and is associated with heat like fever and
swelling.

Medication for the cure of diseases is based on the chemicals derived from chemicals directly or the
synthesis of the chemicals in laboratory. Thus, classification is based on either the plant or chemical derived
from the herbs e.g. the Sun governs the helianthus annus (sunflower) plant. Whose main chemical are
ergosterol and calciferol which are also, therefore, governed by the Sun and either directly from the
sunflower plant or produced through chemical synthesis. Jupiter mainly governs the chemical pyridoxine
which is predominantly found in musa sapientum (plantain). This plant is also governed by Jupiter.

Methodology
The present work has been undertaken with a view to study in depth the characteristics of plants said to be
associated with planets and Nakshatras. The work entails scientific analysis of the claims made in oriental
treatises and by doctors (Vaidyas) and astrologers thus providing a scientific basis to the knowledge
embodied m oriental treatises. This medicinal system throughout the world uses certain herbs predominantly
for the cure of human diseases. The treatises of Ayurveda contain much information about tat curative
properties of various plants when collected at a particular time. Present paper deals with scientific evaluation
of efficacy of plants when collected underthe constalation to which the plants have been attributed.

Plants coming under various Nakshatras growing in die Upper Gangetic Plain have been identified and were
collected during the relevant Nakshatras. These plants were also analysed for their active principle contents,
the analysts being done as per standard method of analysis

Chemical and physiological changes in plants: Star day vis a vis general Day.

The physio-chemical characteristics of nine commonly used plants in Ayurveda and assigned to the nine
planets Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu with their respective Nakshatras were
collected and classified into General Day and Nakshatra Day sample. These were dried and pulverised to
powder to study their various physio-chemical properties of active chemicals and their values.

1. Moisture Contents: By infrared moisture balance.

2. Solubility: Soluble in water or alcohol.

3. pH of Solution : pH was measured on Elico Digital pH meter.

4. Ash Contents: The pulverised powder was dried and burnt. The weight of ash was taken and
percentage calculated. The ash was dissolved in hydrochloric acid and heated for further dissolution. It was
filtered by filter paper. The weight of insoluble was taken and percentage was calculated. This was tested
for alkaloids, flavinoids, quinones, and steriods as specific chemicals.

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Observations from Ancient Texts

Plants and Planets
The affinity of a plant by a governing planet is analysed on the basis of duration and period of flowering and
fruiting of a plant and period of the star. The plant of the star used to cure the diseases and those diseases
governed by a planet or combination of planets are noted. Plants are used as remedies for diseases. The
rulership of planet over plants can be shown by some illustrations. The fruits of juglanas regia (walnut)
appear as circumvolutions of the brain.

Astrologically, Mercury governs the brain and its activity is governed by the Sun. Both these planets govern
the walnut The two lobes of the' seeds of coffea arabica (coffee) are apparently identical to the two cerebral
lobes of the brain which are governed by Neptune . The seeds of dolichus labab (kidney bean) and anthyllis
vulneraria (kidney vetch) resemble the kidneys. Venus governs kidneys and these plants are also governed
by Venus. Sabal serrlata governs the diseases of kidney, prostate and ovaries which are again ruled by
Venus. The Sun governs cardiospermum viola which is used for relief m cardiac troubles. The Moon
governs lunuraria annua (moonwort) and pennisetvm sagina (pearl). Mercury governs mercurialis anuua
(Mercury weed). Tylophora asthmatica is governed by by Moon and acts as a medicine for the cure of
asthma which is also governed by the Moon. Jupiter governs liver and Jupiter governs marchantia
potymorpha (liverwort) is used as a medicine for the cure of liver attaints. Saturn governs gout and also
aeogopodbm padagraric (goutwort), a medicine for gout Mercury governs memory and bacopa moniera
(Brahmi) governed by Mercury acts as a medicine for memory. This clearly indicates that the plants, which
are governed by a particular planet, have the property to cure the diseases caused by the respective planet
Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) and Ocimum album chiefly govern skin diseases,, worms, leprosy and chronic
disorders. Mercury and Venus govern all these diseases as well as both the plants at the time of flowering.
Strobilathus kuchenchinevsis flowers after 18 years and astrologically, the 18-year period is assigned to
Rahu.

Planets, Herbs and Stones

Another type of analogy between planets and herbs is that some parts of herbs used as a substitute for a
particular gem are assigned to a planet as has been shown in Table I.

To reduce the ill-effects of planets, meditation, contemplation, havan and precious stones were often
resorted to, but precious stones being costly, were, at times, not within the reach of the common man.
Therefore, roots of the plants have been used as a substitute for precious stones as shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Plants, Planets and Gems

SI. Na Botanical name of plant Vernacular Name Planet Stone or Gem

1 Aegle marmelos Bael Sun Ruby

2 Mimusops hexandra Khimi Moon Pearl

3 Hemidesmus indicus Indian sarsaparilla Mars Coral

4 Opuntia dillenii Nagfani Mars Coral

5 Clerodendron serratum Bharangi Jupiter Topaz

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6 Curcuma longa Haldi Jupiter Yellow sappier

7 Musa saplmtum Keta Jupiter Yellow agate

8 Tephrosia purpuma Purple Venus Diamond

9 Punfca granatum Anar Venus Diamond

to Rubia cordifolia Indian maddar Venus Diamond

11 Ricinus commnuis Eranda Venus Zircon

12 Rumex vesicarkis Sorrel Venus Zircon

13 Lettsomia nervosa Argyreta Mercury Emerald

14 Pterocarpus santalanus Latchandan Saturn Blue sapphire

15 Santalum album Chandan Rahu Gomed

16 Rauwolphia seipentina Sarpagandha Rahu Alexandria

17 Withania somnifera Ashwagandha Keta Cats eye

Indeed, havan is a scientific method to cure disease though inhalation of the vapour and smoke emanating
through the havan. Plants were classified into 9 groups to match the 9 planets for offering into the havan as
samidha. Table 2 shows the classification as given in Garuda Purana.

Table 2

Samidha for Planets

Planet Vernacular Name Latin Name

sun ArK (Niaoar) Calotropis procera

Moon Palash (Dhak) Butea monosperma

Mars Khadir (Khair) Acacia catechu

Mercury Apamarg (LaQira) Achyranthus aspera

Observations
Jupiter Pipal Ficus religiosa

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In Ayurvedic treatises each Nakshatra period has been assigned certain plants. These Nakshatras are said to
be responsible for certain diseases. Some of the common plants growing in the Upper Gangetic Plain,
assigned to various Nakshatras, are listed in Table 3 with details of their vernacular name, botanical name,
and family, the part of the plant used as medicine, active chemicals and therapeutic use.

According to Ayurvedic literature, the curative properties of plants differ from Nakshatra to Nakshatra, their
collection in a particular period and the processing of drugs as affected by the Nakshatra. The
Nakshatra-wise list of plants growing in the Upper Gangetic Plain has been drawn and their active principles
identified. Nine plants each assigned to a planet and a Nakshatra have been selected for the study. The
active principles of these plants were identified. They were collected during the Nakshatra to which they are
assigned and also on a general day. The analysis with respect to moisture content, solubility, pH of solution,
total ash contents and acid ash test has been carried out. The results are given in Table 4. Table 4 indicates
that ash content and acid ash test indicative of curative characteristics are quantitatively higher in samples
collected during the Nakshatra to which the plant is assigned, as compared to the same estimated for the
sample of the plant collected on a general day without reference to the Nakshatra.

Table 3 Nakshatras, Plants and Diseases Ruled by Nakshatras Proof not corrected

ID Nakshatra Name Family Botanical Name Part Name Active Chemical Therapeutic Use

1Aswini Kutaki Scrophularieceae Picronhizea Root Picrorrtizin, Meningitis high

kurroa cathartic acid, fever

glucose, wax

2Aswini Rakhiphool Passsfioraceae Passiflora Leaves Passiflorine Spasm

quadrangulans

3Aswini Coffee Rubiaceae Coffea arabica Seeds, leaves Caffeine Migraine, meningitis

4Bharani Eranda (oil) Euphorbiaceae Ricinus Root, leaves, Ricin, oilate, Liver disorder

communis seed oil palmtin-synin

5Bharani Dhataki Lytheraceae Woodfordia Flower Tanin Vaginal discharge

fruticosa

6Bharani Gwarpatha Berberidaceae Aloe vera Flower and leaves Barbaric acid Pulmonary catarrh

7Bharani Isabgole Plantaginaceae Plantago major Full plant Mucilage Mucus reins

8Krutika Harsingar Oleaceae Nyctanthus Leaves, bark Nyctan-thine Malaria

arbortristis

9Krutika Chawal Poacaae Oryza sativa Seeds, leaves Fats, vitamins Piles, indigestion

10Mrigasira Shunti Scitaminaceae Zingiber offtinale Stem Malic acid, alkali Indigestion,

flatulence

11Mrigasira Pyaj Liliaceae Allium cepa Bulb, leaves Cholesterol Pains, sciatica,

fever, skin disease

Table 4
12Mrigasira Kuchla Loganiceae Strychnos Seed, fruit Alkaloid strychina, Itching,

nuxvomica brucia haemoptyasis

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Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Plants Assigned to Planets and Nakshatras

Planet Nakshatra Botanical Name vernacular Name Moist Solubility pHSol Ash total Acid Ash Quantitative ve Chemical
Cont % % Test%
comp.

Sun Uttamphalguni Aegle marmetos Bihwa 6-25 18-48 7-0 13-57 4.25 Quinons Pectin

margalocin

General Day Aegb marmetos Bihwa 6-60 18-50 7-3 7.57 1.43 Quinons Pectin

margalocin

Moon Rohini Acorns calamus vacha 9-82 10-78 5.6 10-61 4-39 Quinons Acorin starch,

alkaloids calcium oxalate

General Day Acoms calamus Vacha 10-03 18-28 5-71 5-01 0.47 Quinons Acorin starch,

alkaloids calcium oxalate

Mara Chitta Ptstada intsgerrima Karkatashrungi 4-08 31-7 4-80 5.45 0-865 Flavanoids, Corticosteroids

alkaloids

General Day Ptstada intsgerrima Karkatashrungi 4.40 30.8 5.80 4.49 0.865 Flavanoids, Corticosteroids

alkaloids

Mercury Jyeshta Baccopa monerria Bramhi 8-80 21.63 6.40 16-90 14-73 alkaloids Branhim alkali

General Day Baccopa monerria Bramhi 7-90 16-49 6.45 13-78 9.49 alkaloids Branhim alkali

Jupiter Poorvattadra S*rfve//us Shankhapushpi 740 19-21 6-70 2741 254)4 Quinons Gelsin

efeemmfes alkaloids glucosides

General Day Evolwlus Shankhapuihpi 6-4 10-78 6-71 2742 21-71 Quinons Gelsin

alsenokfos alkaloids glucosides

Venus Bharani Ocimum sanctum Tulsi 7.80% 15-48 5-25 6-74 2-79 Alkaloids Metatile oils,

flavanoids malarin

General Day Ocimum sanctum Tulsi 8-20 15-10 6.40 5-28 1.59 Alkaloids Metatile oils,

flavanoids malarin

Saturn Anuradha Tinospora cordifolia Guduchi 10-02 16-71 6.40 6.48 0.601 Alkaloid Glionin,

steroids gliosterol,

glucoside

General Day Tinospora cordifolia Guduchi 8.47 11.80 7-21 5-51 0-331 Alkaloid Glionin,

steroids gliosterol,

glucoside

Rahu Shatatarka, Plumbago Chitramul 5-2 7.80 5-85 3-78 1-09 Flavanoids Plumbagin

shatabhisha zylanicum alkaloid

General Day Plumbago Chitramul 8-04 10.61 6..61 3-33 0-99 Flavanoids Plumbagin

zylanicum alkaloid

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Ketu Makha Nardostychis Jatamasi 4-51 9-27 5-27 15-12 13-21 Alkaloid Esters alcohol

jatamasi Flavanoids

General Day Nardostychis Jatamasi 8-01 12-12 5.61 14-52 10.38 Alkaloid Esters alcohol

jatamasi i Flavanoids

It has been observed in many patients that the same drug administered at different times manifests differently and
exhibits variations in its curative properties. In this case also, it has been observed that the maximum efficacy is
achieved when the drug is administered during the period of the Nakshatra to which that herb is assigned. These facts
clearly indicate that the postulates laid down in astrological, Ayurvedic and ancient treatises have great bearing both on
the commencing of the disease and its treatment by specific herbs or the chemicals contained in those herbs assigned
to a planet and / or Nakshatra. The science of astrology perceives a holistic approach based on the twelve houses and
the placement of the 9 planets in them, their ' relationship and aspects. All these together : constitute a
complicated system in which perception and prediction of the overall effect becomes extremely difficult. Coming to
conclusions without in depth and analytical study of the horoscope can make a mockery of medical astrology and
astrological predictions. But a careful analysis and scientific holistic approach towards the reading of a horoscope can
easily translate into a scientific and statistically analyzable reality. The use of medical astrological principles can be
quite helpful in correct diagnosis of certain problematic diseases and their cure by carefully selecting appropriate herbs
or chemicals contained in them.

Conclusion

Ancient Indian society utilised all the axioms of knowledge gathered till then for all activities of life. The cure of
disease has also not remained in isolation from this belief of the society. Thus a very intimate and practical relation
was drawn between astrological principles and the herbs attributed to a particular Nakshatra and / or planet for the,
cure of disease caused due to the effect of those Nakshatras and planets. This worked very well in the cure as well as
abatement of diseases. The “scientific revolution” has smothered astrological knowledge and pushed it back branding
it mystical knowledge. This has led to the neglect of astrology in the treatment of disease

The present research, therefore, has been undertaken to reestablish the relationship between the astrological diagnosis
of a disease and its cure through herbs of me active chemicals obtained from herbs mat can cure the disease. The
analysis and the results obtained clearly prove astrology is a valid science.

Thus, there is a great need to reform the disease management, strategy through the use of astrological principles and
herbs associated with specific Nakshatra planets to achieve the required goal of heath and happiness in society.

This article / paper published in 2002 February astrological magazine.

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