Dravyaguna Vijnana (5 Volumes Set)

by J L N Sastry

Dravyaguna is the basic subject of Ayurveda having eight broad branches. It may be called as the Materia Medica of Ayurveda . This series by a renowned physician and a versatile scholar of Ayurveda is the best in English language.

It includes:

• Volume 1: Fundamental Principles of Pharmacotherapeutics in Ayurveda
• Volume 2: Study of the Essential Medicinal Plants in Ayurveda
• Volume 3: Knowledge of Animal Drugs and Foods in Ayurveda
• Volume 4: Dravyaguna Vijnana, volume 4
• Volume: 5

Volume 1:

There is no complete text in English on dravyaguna. Earlier some attempts were made by H V Savnur and Moss in English. Still a comprehensive English text remains in demand.

With this background, the author has decided to prepare a unique text of fundamental concepts of dravyaguna as well as on drugs in English. This will be useful to the under graduate as well as the post-graduate students of Ayurveda. At the same time practitioners and teachers will also appreciate the references and subject matter.

This book mainly covers the first paper of Dravyaguna for BAMS students as per the CCIM syllabus. There are sixteen (16) topics in the syllabus which are divided into two parts (A&B). Each part will cover eight topics. After careful examination of the syllabus, several repetitions were found by the author.

Karma chapter is discussed more eleborately with modern pharmocological actions. Several herbs screened for biological and pharmacological activities are mentioned with relavent references.

Research works related to Rasa, Virya etc., are also quoted wherever relavent or necessary. The panchabhoutick aspects of Rasa, Guna, Virya etc., are discussed in respective chapters with scientific background.

Overall, the text is meant for every one who is interested to learn about fundamental principles of dravyaguna in Ayurveda. One can not forget the dictum-a good physician is a good pharmacologist too. It clearly indicates that a thorough knowledge in the science of drugs engenders excellent success in clinical practice to the physician.

Volume 2:

This is the first work published in English and written according to the CCIM syllabus for the subject-Dravyaguna.

This work discusses the 122 main herbs in detail, followed by 250 other herbs with introductory part. The herbs are provided with the information right from the Vedic period to the latest, including the current research. All the references about the properties of the herbs are provided as the foot note at the end of the each herb.

The controversy about the individual herb is provided as a separate entity, which gives the clarifications regarding botanical identity. Equal emphasis is given to classical literature including Sanskrit references, botanical descriptions, therapeutic utility and scientific studies.

Dr K C Chunekarji is kind enough to write the foreword for this work.

All the literature available at present is consulted while preparing this work making this more useful to both UG as well a P G students.

To make this work friendly to the students, five annexure are provided in the end. The index is arranged as per the botanical sources alphabets. Students, teachers and practitioner will be benefited by the exclusive information on several herbs provided in this work.

Volume 3:

This book deals with the important animal products and foods prescribed in Ayurvedic material media. The modern perspective of the respective drugs and foods is also provided.

Emphasis on the need of animal products like Kasturi (musk) Puti (civet), Agnijara (amber) etc is laid while expressing the need for careful collection methods without sacrificing any animal.

The scientific background for the classification of foods in the ancient Ayurvedic texts is substantiated with the support of modern literature. The nutritive values of these foods are also provided on the basis of available information.

This work also deals with the indigenous methods of food processing in ancient India. Various puddings and their role in the management of health and disease are emphasized. Pharmacognostic identification of some important medicinal plants (12 plants) as described in the CCIM syllabus was also included.

This will enable the students of Ayurveda to learn about the easier methods of identification of herbs. It may be concluded that this is the first English work on Dravyaguna which is in accordance with the CCIM syllabus.

Volume 4:

This is the fourth and last volume of Dravyaguna Vijnana.
Dravyaguna is the basic subject of Ayurveda having eight broad branches. It may be called as the Materia Medica of Ayurveda . This series by a renowned physician and a versatile scholar of Ayurveda is the best in English language.

About the Author:

Dr J L N Sastry hails from a traditional Ayurvedic family. He is born at Narasapuram (W G Dist., Andhra Pradesh) on 06-07-1965). The author is the recipient of two gold medals from Nagarjuna Univ. (AP) fro the merit shown during BAMS (1988). He presented several clinical and scientific papers at Regional, National and International seminars.

Author also had given Radio-talks and given guest lectures at various prestigious institutes (both Ayurvedic & Modern Medicine). He published a book 40 years of research in Aired in A P (on behalf of grda, Hyderabad).