Dictionary of Dravyaguna in Ayurveda

by Dr. Amritpal Singh

Keeping in mind the latest trends in Āyurveda., the study of Dravyaguna has become more important. Some medicinal plants have like Awagandhā, Brāhamï, Tulasï, Guggul, Kutkï, Kālmegha, Gokura and Śatāvarī have been targeted by modern science for application in modern science. Active constituents of the plants have been identified and highly purified extracts are being marketed.

In this work, Dictionary of Dravyaguna, documentation has been made on the properties of each of the medicinal plants based on Dravya, Guna, rasa, Virya, vipaka, Prabhava and karma. The interesting aspect is the documentation of therapeutic research on these medicinal plants from different research institutes from all over the world. In several cases the composition of the medicinal plants have been documented based on its composition.

Dravyaguna is essential subject of undergrdauate course of Ayurveda i.e. Ayurvedacharya or Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S). Central Council of Indian Medicine (C.C.I.M), Dept. of AYUSH, under UG REGULATION has prescribed Minimum Standard of Education in Indian Medicine (Amendment) Regulations, 2012 and undergraduate Syllabus of Dravyaguna has been radically changed. Similarly, under PG REGULATION, C.C.I.M has framed Indian Medicine Central Council (Post-Graduate Education) Regulations, 2012. Several universities across India are awarding M.D. Ayurveda (Vaid Vachaspati)-degree in Dravyaguna. Dictionary of Dravyaguna shall be handy for undergraduate and Postgraduate or courses related to Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Sciences (B. Pharma or D. Pharma and M. Pharm).

 

Sources have been availed from indispensable works like Pharmacographia Indica, Nadkarni’s Materia Medica and Dravyuguna Siddhanta and journals dealing with medicinal plants and natural products. Chemistry and pharmacological studies have been included to make reader familiar with latest work being carried on Indian medicinal plants.

 

 

Dr. Amritpal Singh took his undergraduate (B.A.M.S) and post graduate degree on Ayurveda Vachaspathi, MD (Ay), from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and B.R.Ambedkar Bihar University, Pahe 2, Muzaffarpur respectively. After taking a Certificate course in Phytochemical techniques from Madras University, took his MSc in Medicinal Plants from Nagaland Open University. He has authored more than 19 books published by several national and international publishers and presented more than 100 papers in several Indian and international seminars and conferences. His work on Herbal medicinal plants have been well recognized.