Materia Medica of Ayurveda: Based on Ayurveda Saukhyam of Todarananda

by Vaidya Bhagwan Dash and Lalitesh Kashyap

The Materia Medica of ayurveda represents a rich storehouse of knowledge of drugs based on centuries of experi­ence. Scientists, research workers, physicians and students interested in ayurveda, often experience great difficulty in obtaining authentic works on the subject with a translation in a language generally understood by them.

To cater to this long felt need, we are happy to present here the Materia Medica of Ayurveda by Raja Todaramalla with its English translation along with critical notes.

About the Author:

Vaidya (Miss) Lalitesh Kashyap, after an outstanding academic career, obtained her Ayurvedic degree from the Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College, Delhi and Ph.D. from the K.S.D. Sanskrit University, Darbhanga She has been actively engaged in Ayurvedic practice and research for the past twenty five years. She has to her credit several published articles on Ayurvedic drugs, particularly those essential in the treatment of ladies and children. She also frequently broadcasts talks on various aspects of Ayurveda. At present, she is working as the Medical Superintendent of the Ayurvedic Hospital, under the Central Government Health Scheme of the Government of India.

Vaidya Bhagwan Dash has had an outstandingly brilliant academic career. In addition to graduate and postgraduate qualifications in Ayurveda, he holds a Master's degree in Sanskrit and a Doctorate from University of Delhi. In the course of over thirty years dedicated to research and practice of Ayurveda, Dr. Dash has attended several international conferences and seminars held in Brazil, Mexico and France. He was invited to deliver a course of lectures in Ayurveda at the Patrice Lumumba Friendship University, Moscow and the Australian School of Ayurveda at Adelaide, South Australia. A sanskrit scholar; he handles the English language with equal felicity. A significant advantage to his propensity for research in Ayurveda is Dr. Dash's proficiency in Tibetan Medicine. Author of over twenty-eight important publications covering different aspects of Ayurveda and Tibetan Medicine, he has to his credit an English translation and commentary of Caraka Samhita, the most authentic Ayurvedic classic. He was Deputy Adviser in Ayurveda to the Government of India in the Ministry of Health and F.W. till 1981, when he took voluntary retirement to enable him to devote more time for academic and research activities. As a Consultant in Traditional Medicine of the World Health Organisation, he had paid several visits to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma and Mongolia to study and advise on the Health Development Programmes of those countries.