09 - Chapter 4 PDF
09 - Chapter 4 PDF
09 - Chapter 4 PDF
1. qforot I
The Indian intellect has classified the plant kingdom into convenient
classes, found life and senses in plants and also identified the medicinal
service of the trees to the mankind. All this has been in a very systematic
manner preserved in the written records beginning from the Vedas. The
earliest source of medical information in India is Veda. The Vedas contain
different categories of knowledge for e.g. - spiritual, social, philosophical,
scientific etc. Heiice, Veda is the source of all knowledge.
The Gods Asvinau and Nasatya are concerned with the health care
and medicare of all the animates. This information includes the Medicine,
Surgery, Minor surgery, Pediatrics, Gynaecology, Miduwifery, Rasayana
and Vijkarana.
5. Ibid - pp - 26, 27
6. a) ft s wt tp^ts i
mt ? swir % n Rv. i. 157,6
b) Rv.1.116
animates of any age-group, as also for physical well being
housing and mental sadness.
Further, the God Varuna has been described as not only the
prescribing deity of waters and seas, but also of all the diseases connected
with the excessive accumulation or loss of water content in an animate
body. He creates such oilements amongst the cursed ones more
particularly amongst the liers when he keeps them away from the others.
Rgveda deals with different aspects of life and its well being. It also
contains some specialized medical knowledge without involving the wider
technical details like those, found in Atharvaveda. Rgvedic hymns also
seek protection from bacterial viral or any other infection. The contents of
hymns suggests that he possessed a special knowledge of the preparation
and use of medicines. The medical qualities of sunrays, fire, water, etc...
have also been explained.11
10. JTSPI^I
IW mz f*m°o II Atharvaveda. II. 9.3
11. Swami Satya Prakash Saraswati and Satyakam Vidyalankar - “Rgveda Samhita”,
(VoI-II), Veda Pratishthana, New Delhi. 1977. p-32
12. mm fgicre! fhrf n i
jfosn- if 11 Rgveda -1.191
13. Ibid -1. 163, 1-6
The four hymns, only of tenth mandala i.e., from 161 to 164 which
contain scientific matter.
In the Atharvaveda there are the formulas for healing diseases, while
the Angiras are the cures against enemies, rivals, evil magicians etc.
It consists of songs and spells for the healing of diseases which belong to
the magic rites of Healing. They are either Addressed to the diseases
themselves imagined as personal beings. As demons are considered to be
the creators of diseases. Some of these spells are also invocations and
praises of the curative herb, which is to serve as the cure of diseases.
Others are again prayers to the water to which special healing power. The
symptom of the various diseases are often described in the songs and they
are of great interest in the history of medicine.
I
ayrnr mm ll Atharvaveda V. 22.1 & 13
27. fRt ^tbfFTS m I
m srPrs ii
<m qft fa prfa m i
3RT II Ibid - 3.11.4 & 7
The Atharvaveda refers to several cures with medicinal herbs. The
cure for bleeding or haemorrhage has been suggested.28 Water itself is a
cure in several maladies.29 For Apamarga,30 Pippall,31 Madula,32 Pata,33
and the medicinal herb Prgniparni has been described.34 The hazards of
tuberculosis are described in several hymns.35
ftTRT II
3RFTTHTRT RWllHMKgtKT I 'fMFI<jWI*TT II AV - VI. 16.1-4
39. ~^icfr<?nfT8 ftmmz fijmw i
3TT FT vft S II AV - VI.21.3
40. ^t ^STFTRr ^TTTTT ^aiFTFT^ I
TTt FTT f^rf^T %$Mt 5CTFT <sHWRl II AV - VI. 136 1
41. qt gf%% I
cTt toai 3TT*toRTcTFT ^TS II
spft^rr ^tt mwi an^wrgte I
^ stffahit stRittts <rft 11 ->
There are references to Visanaka in reference to certain complaints.42
The medicinal herb Jivala is referred.43 Relation of particular herbs with
the sun and the moon has been referred.44 Enyeka, Syenyeka, Krsnaikia
and Rohinl have been mentioned in the Atharvaveda.46 These terms may
have seperate names. In connection with leprosy and leucoderma, a
mention has been made of Agvattha and for Yaksma, hiranyayl and
hiranya-bandhana.46 The diseases mentioned are vidradha, balasa, lohita
and visalpaka.47
It is not only man who has familiarity with plant kingdom for health
and cure, the animals have perhaps a priority over man in this context -
well doth the wild boar know a plant the mongoose knows the healing herb.
I call, to aid this man the plants which serpents and Gandharvas know.51
The Atharvaveda, in all mentions about 110 plants identified and non-
identified, used in cure of various body ailements and most of these
remedies come to occupy very significant places in the Ayurvedic literature
of later periods in India and abroad.
• Arka
• Arjuna63
50. ftW a^ I
agac[ auts tiwm asrt
ffm pat II AV - VIII.7.12
51. arret 4taa apit la I
aaf aaiaf ar flpar sr# n av- vni.7.23
52. 1
aroanf <aar aaat aaa *pa% 11 av- rv.17.6
53. a#c$aa>p»s*a aa*a I asn?ar fifrrca f^rf^sar 1
Itra ^aar?paq srflaf^ 11 av -11.8.3
• Asvattha54
• Audumbara65 and others.
The ancient sages identified the plants and classified them from
various angels. According to form and size, they were initially divided into
two - Ausadhi (herbs) and Vanaspati (trees).56 Later in Atharvaveda each
of these was again sub-divided; Ausadhi into virudha and vanaspati into
vanaspatya.57 Thus four divisions of plants were made - vanaspati,
vanaspatya, ausadhi and virudha.
54. I
3RW Wfl mt tffcr % W* II AV - III.6.5
55. 3fi$«l>l TTf&TCT gfeSPrer %*T3T I
T#Tt FfiTfrT ^ TTf^cTT WT II AV - XIX.31.1
56. 3TT ^ ^ MR fRT ST 3|I^Kf6l I
n Rv - 7.4.5
57.
W ^TFT^ II AV-8.8.14
b) m ^i
mm t ^ II AV - 8.7.17
c) 'rR m ^Tlft R^dS I
* mi mm <Rcfrn wii av -19.44.6
62. a) 3TF#jft Vll(^«A^%URT 3cT I
63.
*prf m R^ett stftt sr# ^ 11
m <w%«flR<ga mv& R|s i
tm m Rg^- 9dR*B 11
yir m Rg<h4hcn smt ^1
4l<*tfldl4R*M mt MISFR^W 1
II Avs - 8.7.23-25
APAMARGA [Wmrf]
Synonymous :
Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal Plants & Drugs’, p - 100
64. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - “Encyclopedia of Indian Medicine”, p - 15
(liT)
branches of the plant tend in one direction and the fruit in another.
M. Henry observes - This lane and hideous personage, is regarded as an
incarnation of sin and disease. It popularly resembles our popular devil.
This term Apamarga is derived from mrij, to wipe with the particles apa
and a prefixed.65
Medical Action:
Rasa : Bitter and pungent
Guna : Dry and tikshna (active)
Virya : Hot cold (Red variety).68
Therapeutic Hints :
1. The roots promote healing of ulcers.69
2. The seeds are used as errhine.70
65. Dr. V.W. Karambelkar - “The Atharvaveda and Ayurveda”, Ku. Usha Karambelkar.
1961. p - 212
66. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - “Encyclopedia of Indian Medicine”, p -15
67. apfr spftfr'q# I
Dr. S.D. Kamat - Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants & Drugs, p - 101
68. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicine”, p -15
69. Sushruta Samhita - 37,30; 39,6
70. Caraka Samhita sutras - 2,3-5; 20,1
3. The kshara got by burning the entire plant can also be used as
medicine.71
Classical Use :
Dose : 20-50g of the drug for decoction juice 10-20ml. Alkaline ash
500mg to 2mg.72
USES:
Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal Plants & Drugs’, p -100
* Raktapamargah pacifies kaphadosa causes flatulance and is useful
in wounds, pruritus and poisons. It is astringent in action and powerful
emetic.75
* We get the mention of this plant in the treatment kapha i.e., two
pala each of da£amula, svayamgupta, £ankhapu§pf, sathi, bala, hastipippali,
apamarga, pippallmula, citaraka, bharngi and puskaramula, one adhakha
of yava, haritaki one hundred by number are all boiled in five adhaka of
water. When the yava becomes well-cooked, haritaki is taken out of the
extract and again cooked along with the one tula of guda and one kudava
each of ghrta, taila, powder of pippali and maksika. This confection
consumes daily in the dose of two abhaya per day is a rejuvenator, dispels
wrinkles and graying of hair, bestows colour complexion, life span and
strength cures the five kinds of cough, consumption, dysponea, hiccup,
irregular fevers, diabetes, abdominal tumours, haemorrhoids, heart
diseases, anorexia and nassal catarrh. This Rasayana formulated by sage
Agastya is a best rejuvenator.
75. amwiifcwt I
mntt *rrf^if?TO 11 ibid - p -101
76. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - “Encyclopedia of Indian Medicine”, p -15
77. A.S. Sandhu & A.P. Singh - “A Dictionary of Medicinal plants”, p - 4
dzD
References in Atharvaveda :
There in this plant is said to be used for sorcery, demons and enemies.
It is a reputed remedy for k§etriya roga and improves digestive fire and
breaks.
^9TRt c^T 3TTWRt I
P.V. Sharma who was scholar in this particular subject says that, “The
word ‘Pratiemaphala’ is symbolic which indicates that it sends back the
evil deeds to the invader. This seems to be the source of the word ‘Pratyak-
puspa’ a synonym of Apamarga in later texts”. Even he says that “It
destroys ksetriya, worms poisonous and calculi and is used to avert
sorcery”.81 Apamarga, saikhariko, dhamargav, Mayurak, pratyakparnl,
kesaparn!, kinhi, kharamanjarl all these are synonymous.82
The puranas states that brushing the teeth with tender branch of
Apamarga is beneficial.83 Even states that the stems of different plants
should be used by people for achieving certain specific objectives. Among
c)
mm n
tKUHrai *PT cl I
5FPT f% ^ ^ 3R*TT II
81. Dr. P.V. Sharma - ‘History of Medicine In India’, Indian National science Academy,
New Delhi. 1992. p - 39
82.
DARBHAl^f]
Synonymous:
84. qR<Hl4Rmailt I
^ II Agni purana - 95.52
85. a#s simi*ii4w famz I
<Gt ~
*m% fcTrit n
Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal Plants & Drugs’, p - 359
87. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal Plants’, p - 62
Description : The leaves are long, broad and rough.
Varieties : There are two varieties, the small and the bigger. The
bigger variety is called Sita-darbha or Dirgha-patra and is supposed to be
medicinally superior.88
Medicinal Action:
Rasa : Sweet and astringent
Guna: Unctous
Virya: Cold.89
USES:
It alleviates all the three doshas, is appetizing, purifies the blood and
semen and is used in dysuria, habitual abortion, urinary calculi, thirst,
renal colic, menorrhagia, bleeding from internal organs, fatigue, sterility,
dyspnoea, jaundice, vomitting, syncope and herpes. The root is used
especially in cough, jaundice and dyspnoea.92
88. Ibid - p - 62
89. Ibid - p - 62
90. a) Caraka samhita- 4,12
b) Sushruta samhita - sutra, 38, 75-76
91. A.S. Sandhu and A.P. Singh - ‘A Dictionary of Medicinal plants’, p -144
92. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, p - 62
* Kasa is sweet and bitter in taste in vipaka, sitavirya, nutrient
strength promoting and vrsya. It is useful in alleviating thirst due to
fatigue and consumption.93
References in Veda :
95. m^ ** i
m ffijan
ujjswR'sR i
n
R- it sw sjrcftr R t i
* sjtRR m n avs - 6.43.1-3
96. a) THTfcT SR'S I
iftfofaw Wt || AVS - 8.7.20
b) imiR «>r^5iR f**re 1
Synonymous:
Theraputic Hints :
1) It purifies blood and is useful in bleeding from internal organs,
skin diseases with itching, diarrhoea, fever, vomitting, thirst,
burning and herpes.
2) It is in addition medicine for cough, fever, vertigo, thirst, fatigue
disease of impure blood and skin diseases with burns.103
USES : As a Medicine
References in Veda :
105. A.P. Singh and A.S. Sandhu - ‘A Dictionary of Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 66
106. frf *ftcTT W*TT ^ MdPta'WnMfT I
Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants & Drugs’, p - 368
107. a) arc- i
II Rg. 10.134.5
b> ^ qwl fsrf i
gfT 5*1 ll Rgveda -10.142.8
108. P.V. Sharma - ‘History of Medicine in India’. Ibid - p - 46
109. ^ I
srPTriT pt 3T ll -*
References in later literature :
* The Matsya purana gives a graded list of the plants on the basis of
preferability for using their stem as samidha. They are as follows : arka,
palaia, khadira, apamarga, asvattha, audumbara, iaxm, durva and kuga.113
no. i
flrmftcTT ll Vamana purana -17.9 (U)
111.
112.
fifjwdrcfawr <Rd<dR«iRidq ll
ddl ftwflddr tdffddT dlrA I
flWAmWWT lUd41ddR^dT II
113.
3ft<£GTt8 Sdft fdf JWUSd dftdS WE II Matsya purana - 93.27
* Durva was regarded as auspicious.114 For example : Durva plant is
prescribed for sivacaturdasi vrata.115
The purana states that durva is required for worship of gods.117 The
Agni purana states that the stem of durva used by people for achieving
eradication of disease.118 Even it is used for achievement of wealth, peace
and victory.119
114. ftcm l
II Raghu vaifiia - 17.12
115. SgflW QdmNT cNfcqts I
II Matsya purana - 95.22-25
116. FTFPRT8 I
pfaTC ^ II
f^TTfl^r ^ ^ qfcfdR I
* A lady desiring to have a son should regularly drink milk spiced with
asvagandha, root of lavanga, vam^a, kusa and asvattha, powder of vrihi,
tila, masa and durva.124
KHADIRA [^tor]
Synonymous :
Kannada: Kaggali-mara
120. 0-qiiRn I
Har§acarita - 96, kadambar! - 218
121. ^RS I
Harsacarita - 219, kldambari - 380, 367
122. I Har?acarita -108
123. Msfft ^ fi<T %9Ttg I
HI«K«We‘d dWlptfaf SStrPTS II Agni purana - 282.7
124. I
Dr. S.D. Kamat - Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants & Drugs, Ibid - p -10
(282)
Hindi: Khair
English : Brown barked Acacia
Botanical Name : Acacia cathechuwild
Natural order : Legumin osae
Habitat: Eastern slopes of western Ghats, Andhra pradesh,
Bihar, Punjab and Himalayas up to the eleviation of
1,500m.126
Parts Used : Bark and the extract called khadira-sara [the product
which is got by boiling the decoction of khadira wood and inspissating
it].128
Medicinal Action:
• Rasa : Astringent and bitter [khadira] sweet [the gum] Astringent,
pungent and bitter [gvetakhadira]
• Guna : vi£ada [Svetakhadira]
• Virya : Cold [khadira], Hot [dveta khadira].129
126. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p -142
127. Ibid - p - 142
128. Ibid - p - 142
129. Ibid - p - 143
(283)
Theraputic Hints :
1. It is useful in pruritus and especially in skin diseases.130
2. The decoction is useful in certain urinary disorders.131
3. Medicated ghee prepared from khadirasara is useful in skin
diseases and bleeding.132
4. The decoction of khadira is used in skin diseases, diseases of
throat, urinary disorders and glandular swellings.133
USES:
* Khadira alleviates kapha and pitta, purifies the blood, strengthens
the teeth, is a digestive and is beneficial in pruritus, skin diseases, cough,
anorexia, obesity, worms, urinary disorders, fever, leucoderma, oedema,
dyspesia and anaemia.
* ^veta-khadira alleviates kapha and vata, promotes healing of
ulcers and is useful in skin diseases, worms, diseases of the mouth and
toxicosis.134
* The extract alleviates kapha, purifies the blood, promotes healing
of ulcers and is beneficial in diseases of the mouth and throat, urinary
disorders, worms, skin-diseases, obesity and haemorrhoids.
* The gum is strength-giving and an aphrodisiac.136
References in Veda:
136. f%*TS I
* The Vayu purana mentions trees which are fit for religious purposes.
Plaksa, Nyagrodha, Asvattha, Vikamkata, Audumbara, Vilva, Candana,
Sarala, Devadaru, Sala and Khadira.151
w IPr % ^ ¥RT II
Atharvaveda Samhita - 3.6.1-8
b) fWFiMfSr w i
# 3T#p- 3TRt TgfcfPo W *R#T c* ^1% II
Ibid - 10.6. 6-10
*uid+ift srcfw w# ^ ii
156.
The purana states that for the maintenance of proper health of the
horse in treatment of eye troubles the extracts of khadira, audumbara and
a^vattha help.158
KUSTHAH [jras]
Synonymous :
157. ^
Medicinal Action:
Rasa : Pungent, bitter and sweetish
Guna: Light
Vlrya: Hot.162
Therapeutic Hints :
1. Its external application relieves skin disease.163 It is also used as
a dusting powder164 and is useful in impotency165 and headaches166
and is considered to be emaciating.167
2. When used with gold, pippall, honey, ghee and vacha, it is
an excellent tonic which enhances the mental and physical
development of children.168
161. Ibid-p-157
162. Ibid-p-157
163. Caraka Samhita, Sutra 3, 28
164. Ibid-3,10
165. Ibid-4,12
166. Ibid, sutra - 3, 23
167. Ibid, sutra - 4, 9
168. Sugruta Samhitl, Sarira - 10, 68
3. An oil medicated with this drug is used in bleeding from the
navel etc., of new born infants.169
USES : As a medicine
References in Veda:
Dr. S.D. Kamat - Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants & Drugs, p - 219
171. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p -157
172. A.S. Sandhu and A.P. Singh - “A Dictionary of Medicinal plants”, Ibid - p -148
^Rt I
2Tf^r %ff cnfRTOFFT II
amwt ^r^r^cflwrrftcfr I
c^tt^t wt ^Tg it
From the above mentioned dlokas Head disease, attack, evil of the
eyes, of the body all that and takman relieve. It is said that ‘it was bom
in the third heaven and stands along with soma’. It is known as
m f<5R i% ii
TORt TOT fW'tfTfflt IR ^ ftcTT I
tor mm ffa n
TOTo I
3>%^d Rf ti tos ii
Atharva Veda - 5.4.1-10
b) srerofr Rf% I
mm *<IT? 3>'»+ltHd II
f^rroft -fk-KfewiTOrr i
a^ifciR g«T ^ts n
*r*rf arRksfftt *mf f^RTOpr i
*njf f^q- % ms ffa n av - 6.95.1-3
c) 3<K*RTODi f# f%RTORft 1
totot s# tor siffi iTpiRg 11
TOTfft TOTOt TOlftlS I
TOFT 5^t I I# RT «l4«ra7*fr ftlT II
AV - 19.39.1-10
“visvabhesaja” because kustha vanish all the takman and all the
sorceresses. It is one of the aromatic drugs.174
References in Puranas :
The purana lists the following plants as the source of incense : nakha,
kustha, dhana, mams!, sprkka, kumkuma, laksa, aguru, nirada, sarala,
karpura, kanta, vala, kumduru, guggula, Srinivasa and saxja.177 Kustha,
174. %
% vn*f*n arijftwnfiroftgtewft i fNfeft n
pi®* wMgsnft 11
^TFT ypf II Agni purSria - 293.27-29
176. I
178. grmWt wu i
ixit ^ 11 ibid -176.17
179.
pr tos n ibid - 278.9
iso. wMr I
ws ii
citt i
f$FTT ^ II Ibid - 278.15-16
181. I
II Ibid - 284.54b-55
182. wttfe i
'TRW! II
miRm jaiRqfd I
WRcT giRPRSF II Ibid - 278.60-61
spraying of the water on and around the wound having padmaka patali,
ku?tha, usira, sariva and selu helps in removing the poison.183
(b) Ku§tha, tila, sarsapa, rajanl should be pasted with the urine of
cow, cowdung and sarjika and the paste thus obtained should be
rubbed over the skin of a horse when the animal suffers from
itching.185
183. I
?nf^r i
11 ibid - 297.8-9
184.
$%fe§4^KI¥lMsq II Ibid - 288.20
185.
W ^TT fttspT *u|§dTKR^ I
mfrs II Ibid - 288.35-36
186. M qm gre i
q- ^qtsq- f%cTS i
*3Frr ^ qlPRTT II Ibid - 288.25b - 26a
i The Agni purana contains some information about the use of plants in
va^ikarna and mentions certain methods. One of them is, “putting a dot on
the forehead of the paste obtained by crushing the following plants
together - priyangu, kumkuma, kustha and tagara along with ghee.”187
laksa [mm\
Synonymous:
Kannada: Lakki
Hindi: Lakh
Bengali: Gala
Tamil: Komburruki
Telugu : Kommolaka
pf cp i
Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu and Drugs on Medicinal Plants’, Ibid - p-239
194. ^icHH^affq wm 1
qPW^qi1^n5.#|Wtq^q'qTf^ II Brahatsamhita-10.11 ->
(iiT)
&AMI PPft]
Synonyms :
II Ibid - 43.48
195. TPgR I
t n
cirfS |k^T S'kH II Matsya purSpa - 218.6-7
197. HIW liracft eFTT I
Hindi: Chhikura
Medical Action:
Rasa : Astringent, bitter and pungent sweet [fruits]
Guna : Dry and light Heavy, dry and sharp [fruits]
Virya : Cold Hot [fruits].201
Varieties:
Two plants are included under the heading ‘A’ &ankuphala pTSjfWT]
and ‘B’ Aparajita [amlfadl].
A. Sahkuphala
Botanical Name : Prosopis spicigera Linn
199. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 235
200. Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants & Drugs’, p - 443
201. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 235
Habitat: Commonly grown in Punjab, Rajputana,
Maharashtra, Baluchistan
Sanskrit synonymous are : Laksmi, ^ankuphala, Kesahantrl
Hindi: Zand
B. Aparajitd
Botanical Name : Acacia Suma
Sanskrit synonymous are : 6aml, 6anta, 6ubha, Bhadra, Aparajita 202
USES : As a Medicine
References in Literature:
Sami, Saktuphala 3iva are the synonymous of 6ami vrksa.206 The tree
was common in arid zone and leaves were dried and fallen by the hot winds
202. Dr. S.D. Kamat - T)hanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants & Drugs’, Ibid - p - 443
203. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 235
204. Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants & Drugs’, Ibid - p - 443
205. S. Shyamsunder - ‘Sacred plants’, Ibid - p - 69
206. 3TFTT WUft I
Amarkosa - sloka 407, vana o?adhi varga IV
in summer.207 These were used in ceremonies like marraige.208 Fire was
produced by rubbing the sticks of saml.209
>»
Sami also in the santa group. It has many uses. Fire was manifested
by rubbing the wood of Asvattha on that of saml.210 On its application,
hairs fall down. A person, who has come in contact with ‘saml tree’ is called
‘shamiluma’ and he was supposed to be in danger of suffering from injuring
to his head.211
209. Raghu - 9
210. a) fci^ I
cRT t CRT II Atharva Veda - 6.11.1
b) qfallftq1 ^ffs#TT ^TTWT I
TT^t ^PTf^RTSTncT ^TT § frPT II
qq si6il^4aRf^4f jtr i
^cT ^TT ^ f^PT II
wm tos q^cTr ffcqt qf i
qf W»jft #M II Atharva Veda samhitS - 6.12.1-13
211. V* WpT S^cT q* I
vs snrftcT srpb§s strpt wrs piqqs 11
q^ f$mt ^HiRie^i gw fqffi I
aiKi^cwqr qqrfa ffir <q fifo sidddHiRCls 11
ftjcWffl; gqfr q*ff5i %HdR I
q#T *fS\%?hqg II Ibid - 6.30.1-3
212. S. Shyamsundar - “Sacred Plants”, Ibid - p - 69
Pandavas before going for their exile kept their weapons under saml
tree. After the completion of their thirteen years exile, they took those
weapons. This day celebrated as “Ayudha pooja” during Vijaya dashmi.213
References in Puranas :
214.
"MWPHW 3TRTT II VSmana purSna -17.8
215.
^ II VSmana purana - 95.15
216. ^ gjRlWT I
wts I
II Matsya purana - 118.1-10
asana and sarala trees on those four sides causes destruction.217 If these
trees should preferably be uprooted, if and when they are observed.
However, eradication of the plants cannot be done, then following plants
sown in between them; punnaga, asoka, bakula, saml, tilaka, campaka,
dadimba, pippali, draksa and kusuma.218
^ dt«IT%Ttsqfr II
The purana states that the stem of saml plant should be used by
people for achieving satisfaction of Navagraha.223 Similarly the purana
states that for different objectives homa/havana should be done with
specific plant materials. 6aml is used for the achievement of wealth, peace
and victory.224
^IMSAPA [f^RNT]
Synonymous :
Sanskrit: Mahagyama, Krsnasara and Aguruh. There is an
another kind called as w$(?Nim” [ku£im£apa] for
which synonyms are Kapila, Bhasmagarbha and
Vasadanl.226
221. snfe
aftipro 9!# flf fSTTFt wmm II Ibid - 93.27
222. MMlft TTSTT gt I
ftfJT ff^T I
^9FTT 9Pft II Ibid - 217.75-80
223. I
9I5PTE ^ II Agni purtoa - 95.52
224. W9I8 I
tuflggnmy? Wei i
Agni purapa -167.6-7
Medical Action;
Rasa : Pungent, bitter and astringent
Guna : Bitter [6veta - 6im£ipa and kapila]
Virya : Hot, cold [3veta - gim&pa and kapila].230
Medical Uses :
* Given in fevers and worn infestation.232
* It alleviates kapha and vata, purifies the blood, is an abortifacient,
appetizing, strength giving, enhances the complexion and is beneficial in
tuberculosis, obesity, skin diseases.233
229. Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants & Drugs’, Ibid p-474,475
230. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 247
231. A.P. Singh & A.S. Sandhu - ‘A Dictionary of every day useful plants’, Ibid - p - 67
232. Ibid- p- 67
233. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 247
* Both the varieties [Mahasyama krsnasara and kugimsapa bhasma
garbha] are useful in improving complexion, hiccup, odema. These pacify
pitta dosa, alleviate burning sensation are strength promoting and
promoting desire for food.234
* Ladle was made of its wood.235
* Wheels of chariot were made of its wood. It is one of the santa
vrksas.236
* 6imsapa plant has been mentioned in Matsya purana.237 The
purana states further that the under mentioned plants make good building
materials if used exclusively, but these plants do not produce good results
if used along with other plants; gimsapa, sriparni, tinduki, syandana,
panasa, sarala, aijuna and padmaka.238
* Sim^apa plant is considered as terrestrial plant.239
234. I
ftrRTW WR il
Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 473
235. fstWHUTS I Markandeya purana - 28, Kasika - 7.3.11
236. a) wr m i
fwrhr qw zuvzmm w
Tfa ITT s*M<kRX II
kt awl qs igqs wft |^r#cts i
Tfa ITT irhtd fRT SPRTRRg II Atharva Veda sariihita - 6.129.1-3
b) f^WTTS I Atharva Veda samhita - 20.129.7
C) arf^-arer qfi m m<*M RrcnRPT i
mt sfrfs&cT tolR ITT RITRWR^ sftfM II RV- 3.53.19
237. iiiielwi^^iiTi^iN Rrnirtg I
R5Ttt?q cT«TT!R#S fMlts Rl^Ml^g II Matsya purana -118.3
238. 3§Rrs qnf^cT i
URTsftT’ff f^l^t ?RT II
tRT dMWTffvmi 4>4lft^q>IW3 I
R*RS MH'HTd5c( TKcTT^ W II Ibid - 257.10-11
239. The Brahma purana - 42, 43, 51 [chapters]
UDUMBARAH [3fRR:§]
Synonymous :
Hindi: Gular
240. flSIWSS I
q*nfg tlfarcroa* II
Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 435
241. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 273
242. ‘The texts of white Yajurveda’, p - 86
Description : This is a large, deciduous tree with a few short aerial
roots. The bark is grey or reddish - brown and smooth. The leaves are
alternate, elliptic-lanceolate or ovate, glabrous, three ribbed with a narrow
apex. The flowers are small found on the inner surface of fleshy hollow
receptacles which can be seen in large clusters on leafless branches.243
Medical Action:
Rasa : Sweet and astringent, Astringent [the bark and unripe fruits]
Guna : Heavy and dry
Virya: Cold.246
Theraputic Hints:
1. It is used in dhumapana and is one of the drugs which diminish
the quantity of urine.247
2. It is excellent for external application.248
243. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 273
244. Ibid - p - 273
245. Dr. S.D. Kamat - ‘Dhanvantri Nighantu on Medicinal plants & Drugs’, Ibid - p-436
246. Dr. S.R. Sudarshan - ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal plants’, Ibid - p - 273
247. Caraka sutra : 4, 15; 5, 22
248. Ashtanga samhita sutra, 13
3. The til oil which is extracted after bhavana with the milky exudation
is used for medicating a tampon applied in menstrual disorders.249
4. The ripened fruits are useful in bleeding and haemorrhages. The
juice of the ripe fruits is excellent for relieving thirst.250
5. The kshara is given with honey and ghee in hiccoughs.251
6. The unripe fruit is given with goat’s milk to prevent abortion.252
7. The bark is used in relieving voracious appetite.253
USES:
* Udumbara fruit is kasaya [astringentl in taste and when ripe is
sweet and sltavlrya. It is helminth promoting and pacifies pitta and
raktadosa and is useful in fainting, burning sensation and thirst.255
* It alleviates kapha and pitta, promotes healing of wounds and
fractures, facilitates conception and enhances the complexion.
* The bark is also a galactagogue.
* The unripe fruits alleviate pitta and kapha, purify the blood are
contispative and relieve thirst. The slightly ripe fruits aggravate pitta, cause
thirst and syncope and are useful in bleeding, vomitting and menorrhagia.256
References in Veda:
* There is reference as ‘udumbala’ which was modified later as
‘udumbara’.259 but preserving the original sense of energy - providing.260
It had an important position among the sacrificial items.
* There is description of ‘udumbaramani’.
“aftcpfar JT^FTT I
% Srftcfi W II
tK fern % Tmt I
gi sit ir261
jjRkR*
* *tt pM pqft *rr ff i
flc44R»lig Tfl ^ TR ft
Sift ^0% Sit FTPT II
*iM<l I
TT ?T8 Hff fNfj Tft’S ?T8 TFfctkft II Atharvaveda samhita - 19.31.1-14
262. *TSFT ERFJ I
m* || AVS - 5.5.5
263. *TWFT % *TSt ftwt WFT «TsT 4$*«K8 I
W arfiRrT STFFt *TT5cT5 ?lTf ^FT II AVS - 20.136.15
264. *TSft I Bj-hadaranyaka - 6.3.13
265. JRmft II Amarko^a - 377 [vanoipadhi varga]
266. fkt 'STTcTo fltwtsaFTS I Vamana puraiia - 17.7
267. ^MM<H^yM«|!Md4R+fcTT8 I
'd<|M;U*d'!TT «uRk«urq ^ II Vayu purana - [U] 13.70-71
268. smrerfirftt d^FMrcft«t ^Tf i -»
sumuka, karaka, kimsuka, yajnodumbara and alavu.269
* If vata, udumbara, asvattha and plaksa trees are planted on the
east, south, west and north of the house. Then the house would be the
cause of prosperity of the owner.270
* Audumbara stem used as samidha.271
* Twigs of the udumbara plant are good for brushing the teeth.272
* The extracts of khadira, udumbara and asvattha help in treatment
of eye troubles of the horse.273
* The stem of udumbara used by people for achieving desired goal
that is ‘satisfaction of Navagraha’.274 For the achievement of wealth, peace
and victory udumbara should be used.276
*
hft i
II Kurma purana - U.22.21
269. ^ wm 'PTfcT I I
f«TT prohnt ^ II