Medicinal Plants

RAVI'S MEDIPLANTS CORNER
Medicinal Plants- History ~ 60 million BP: Flowering plants emerge – evolve phytochemical defenses against phytovores~ 6 million BP: primates evolve into primitive man-~ 50,000 BP: Man learns the art of cooking (meat).~18000 BP: Man crosses the Bering Bridge , opening up the New World, comes into contact with the new world spp. Such as Capsicum, Osmorrhiza, Sassafras etc. ~8000 BP: Indus-valley Civilization, cultivation of many crops including sesamum. ~6000 BP: Sumerians used licorice and opium; Fenugreek identified in Iraq. In India the Ayurvedic system of medicine started evolving~5000 BP: Charak codifies the Ayurvedic system – Charak samhitha

Medicinal Plants- History
~ 60 million BP: Flowering plants emerge – evolve phytochemical defenses against phytovores
~ 6 million BP: primates evolve into primitive man-
~ 50,000 BP: Man learns the art of cooking (meat).
~18000 BP: Man crosses the Bering Bridge , opening up the New World, comes into contact with the new world spp. Such as Capsicum, Osmorrhiza, Sassafras etc.
~8000 BP: Indus-valley Civilization, cultivation of many crops including sesamum.
~6000 BP: Sumerians used licorice and opium; Fenugreek identified in Iraq.
In India the Ayurvedic system of medicine started evolving
~5000 BP: Charak codifies the Ayurvedic system – Charak samhitha

Medicinal Plants : in ancient India
Medicinal Plants Classification by Charaka
50 Groups (Vargas)
1. Jeevaneeyam – Promoting life – 10 plants
2. Brimhaneeyam – Promoting growth – 10 plants
3. Lekhaniyam – Reducing growth – 10 plants
…………………………..
50. Vayasthaapana – Imparting youthfulness – 10 plants
Classification by Susrutha- 38 ganas


1. Vidaarandhyadigana – counteracts vata and pitta (19 Nos.)
2. Aaragwadhaadigana – checks kapha and poison (20 Nos.)
3. Varunadigana – checks kapha and medas (22 Nos.)
35. Dasamoola - 5 Kaneeyapanchamoola + 5 Mahapanchamoola -
checks kapha, pitta and vayu, curative of all ‘jwaras’
38. Trinapanchamoola – cures disorders of urine & raktapitta

Classification of Vagbhata 33 Groups (Ganas)
1. Vamanoushadhagana – Emetics (21 Nos.)
……….
……….
Syaamaadigana – checks gulma, visha, aruchi, kapha, hridroga and mootrakrichra (16 Nos.)

Ayurvedic MPs- scenario in India
•No. of plants used in Ayurveda – 1769
•Plants having direct Med. use – 7500
•New claims and leads – 950
•Used as pesticides and allied uses – 350
•Used as biopesticides – 175
•App. 4635 Ethnic communities of India use about 9500 plants for healthcare
India has the richest, oldest and most diverse cultural traditions in the use of MPs.


BIODIVERSITY IN RELATION TO MEDI.PLANTS
India – One of the 12 mega diversity regionsF
8% of the global Bd.
45000 plant spp.
16 Agroclimatic zones
10 Vegetation zones
426 unique habitats
# 30 m. (guesstimate) microorganismsF
15 biotic provinces

India- 2 hot spots;
Hot spot concept IS based on endemism- hotspots have high concentration of endemic species facing imminent habitat destruction.
India has more endemic species than other regions except Australia.
315 flowering plant families occur in India out of the 400- and a total of 15300 flowering plant species.

Wait for next issue...more on medi-plants of India.
Posted by Dr PN Ravindran at 7:14 AM
Labels: Indian Medicinal Plants
PN Ravindran

Those ngroups more interested to common man are given below: Group 3: Lekhaneeya gana : Drugs that reduces obesity
1. Mustha Cyperus rotundus
2. Kustha Saussurea lappa
3. Haridra Curcuma longa
4. Daruharidra Berberis aristata
5. Vacha Acorus calamus
6. Ativisha Aconitum heterophyllum
7. Sakuladini Picorrhiza kurroa
8. Chitra Plumbago rosea/ P. zeylanica
9. Chiribila Holoptelia integrifolia
10. Haimavathi Terminalia chebula
Group 6: Deepaneeya gana ( drugs that promotes digestion )1. Pippali Piper longum
2. Pippala mool Piper longum- root
3. Chavyam Piper chaba
4. Sringaveram Zingiber offcininale
5. Amla vetasa Garcinia gummicutta /
Rheum emodi
6. Maricha Piper nigrum
7. Ajmoda Trachyspermum ammi
8. Bhallataka Semecarpus anacardium
9. Chitra Plumbago rosea
10. Hingu Ferula foetida
Group 7: Balaya gana : Drugs useful in increasing body strength1. Aindra Lagenaria siceraria
2. Rishabha Mucuna prurita
3. Athirasa Asperagus racemosa
4. Rishyaprokta Phaseolus trilobus
5. Atibala Abutilon indicum
6. Payasya Ipomoea palmata
7. Aswagandha Withania somnifera
8. Bala Sida retusa
9. Rohini Terminalia chebula
10. Sthira Desmodium gangeticum
Group 8: Varnya gana : Drugs useful in improving complexion1. Chandan Santalum album
2. Tunga Calophyllum inophyllum
3. Padmakashta Prunus puddam
4. Ushira Vetiveria zizanoides
5. Madhuka Glycyrrhiza glabra
6. Manjishta Rubia cordifolia
7. Sariba Hemidesmus indicus
8. Sitham Imperata cylindrica
9. Latha Cynadon dactylon
10. paysya Ipomoea palmata
Group 9: Kandtysgana : Drugs for improving voice1. Sariba Hemidesmus indicus
2. Ikshumoola Saccharum officinarum
3. Madhuka Glycyrrhiza glabra
4. Pippali Piper longum
5. Draksh Vitis vinifera
6. Vidarika Pueraria tuberose
7. Kaidarya Murraya koenigii
8. Hamsapadi Adiantum lanulatum
9. Bruhati Solanum indicum
10. Kandakari Solanum surattens

Group 10 : Drugs that induce mental pleasure ( some people interprets as cardiac tonics )
1. Amra Mangifera indica
2. Amramathaka Spondias mangifera
3. Nikucha Artocarpus lakoocha
4. Karamarda Carissa carandas
5. Vrikshamblam Garciniagummigutta
6. Amlavetasa Garcinia indica
7. Bilwa Aegle marmelos
8. Badara Zizyphus jujube
9. Dadima Punica granatum
10. Mathulunga Citrus reticulate

Group 21 Snehopaga gana : Drugs that give skin softness (Snigdhatha ) and agility to the body.
1. Mrudeeka Vitis vinifera
2. Madhuka Glycyrrhiza glabra
3. Madhuparni Gmelina arborea
4. Meda Polygonatum verticillatum
5. Vidari Ipomoea palmata
6. Kakoli Rosea procera
7. Kshera kakoli Rosea sp.
8. Jeevaka Microstylis wallichi
9. Jeevanthika Leptadenia reticulate /
Holostemma adakodian
10. Salaparni Desmodium gangeticum
Group 40 Sramahara gana ; Drugs for alleviating fatigue1. Draksha Vitis vinifera
2. Kharjura Phoenix dactylifera
3. Priyala Buchanania latifolia
4. Badara Zizyphus jujube
5. Dadima Punica granatum
6. Phalgu Ficus carica
7. Parushakam Grewia asiatica
8. Ikshu Saccharum officinarum
9. Yava Hordeum vulgare
10. Yashtika Red rice.

Group 48 Samjasthapana gana : Plants for maintaining and improving cognitive capacity
1. Himla Ferula foetida
2. Kaidarya Gmelina asiatica
3, Arimeda Acacia Arabica
4. Vacha Acorus calamus
5. Choraka Angelica glauca
6. Vayastha Terminalia chebula
7. Golomi Cyanadon dactylon
8. Jatila Nardostachys jatamansi
9. Palankasha Coccus lacca
10. Sokarohini Picrorrhiza kurroa


Group 50 Vayasthapana gana : Drugs useful in maintaining youthfulness. 1. Amrita Tinospora cordifolia
2. Abhaya Terminalia chebula
3. Dhatri Emblica officinalis
4. Mukta Pearl
5. Swetha Santalum album
6. Jeevanthi Holostemma adakodian/ Leptadenia reticulata
7. Athirasa Asperagus racemosus
8. Madookaparni Centella asiatica
9. Sthira Desmodium gangeticum
10. Punarnava Boerhavia diffusa

Western Ghats -MP Diversity

 Flowering plants – 4000 spp.
 Endemic to Western ghats – 1930 spp.
 Med. Fl. plants in Kerala region – 540 spp.
 Rare & Endangered – 56 spp.
 Threatened – 35 spp.
 MPCAs – 7
 Red listed plants in MPCAs – 45
 Sacred groves in Kerala – 1500

Threats to Biodiversity of MPs

Primary factors:
1. Habitat loss
2. Over exploitation.
3. Introduced Species
4. Population pressure

*Raw drugs – main source (72%) : Natural forests- often collected destructively – Decline in MP population.
*Exploding population-Urbanization-Shrinking forests-Environmental catastrophe (Tsunami/Earthquake etc)
*Over harvesting- Bioprospection etc
ALL THE ABOVE FACTORS HAVE DRIVEN MEDICINAL PLANTS TO THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION.

Conservation of biodiversity of MPs

What has been done:

 FRLHT under the DANIDA Project: Listed 439 prioritized MPs of South India
 Eco-distribution mapping of various MPs (#150+)
Propagation methods of about 250 spp.
Database of mp trade of about 600 spp.
MPCA-Data compiled and computerized.
Threat status assessment of MPs.
 112 taxa in Red list category
 18 taxa critically endangered
 GOI initiated the Vanaspati vana Project

Genetic Resources conservation

Managing and using resources sustainability
Safeguarding pl. gene. diversity from loss and degradation
 IUCN advocates conservation at 3 levels:
 Genetic diversity
 Species diversity
 Ecosystem diversity

 What are to be conserved ?
 Why are they to be conserved ?
 Where are they to be conserved ?
 How are they to be conserved
SEE NEXT ISSUE.

Ayurveda and the Thridoshas

BEGINNINGS OF AYURVEDA
Vedic literature- earliest document …Plants began to flourish on the earth three yugas ago, before the time of the Devas. Plants were considered to be of divine origin and they were worshipped as Mother Goddess, by chanting Oushadhi sukthas in praise of them:

Oh divine plants
You are so fertile in nature
You are blessed with all kindness and happiness..

Oh divine plants
Always be kind to us
Pour happiness over us

You have the power of the horse
You are the destroyer of fatal diseases
You are the guardian of mankind
Save and protect us from all kinds of illnesses …
The Rig Veda



Paramatma jeevatma + 5 elements (earth, fire, water, air and space)


Human body 7 dhatus (Tissue sysytems )
(sukradhatu-reproductive tissue; majjadhatu- bone marrow and nervous tissue; asthidhatu-skeleton; medadhatu –fatty tissue; mamsadhatu –musceles tissue; rakthadhatu –blood; rasadhatu –plasma)



Medicinal plants- the beginning
Medicinal Plants – first mention in Rig Veda
The Atharva Veda contained authentic descriptive records of 289 plants used as medicines.
The Samhitha period
Charaka samhitha
Susrutha Samhitha
Astanga hridaya samhitha
The three together known as Brihathrayee – they mention
of about 1900 medicinal plants- 670 are common to all texts

About 17 lexicons exclusively describing Medicinal Plants
- Major ones are those of : Dhanwanthari, Sodala, Madanpala, Naraharipanditha, Bhavamisra etc.


Ayurveda:some basic concepts:


5 elements- Akash (Space);Vayu (Air); Tejas (Fire); Apa (Water); prithvi (Earth).

These are expressions of the creative force ( The Ultimate).
Human body is constituted by these elements.

The human body has 3 basic properties (Tridosha) – the relative proportion of which decides the body type.

The body is further made of seven tissue systems: Saptadhatu: ( Sukradhatu (reproductive tissues); majja dhatu ( bone marrow& nervous tissues); Asthi dhatu (skeleton-bones); meda tissue ( fatty tissue); mamsa dhatu ( muscle tissues )); rakta dhatu (blood ); rasa dhatu ( plasma ).

Disease is the state of disequilibrium of the doshas, dhatus, agnis, and malas; the individual is out of harmony both internally and with relation to environment and experiences unpleasant sensations and misery in some form.

Every living being has an inherent tendency to move in the direction of healing and balance. The balance toward which we naturally move is our “prakriti” (or Janma prakriti ), or our unique and natural proportion of vata, pittaand kapha, inherited by us at the time of birth.
The diseased state is the “vikriti” – a deviation from natural proportion of the doshas.

There is an inherent tendency for the body to move from ‘vikriti” to “ prakriti” and medicines are strategies to assist this movement, which the healing process.


Ayurvedic treatment aims at the maintenance of the balance between the three basic body qualities – vata, kapha and pitta.What are they?



The 3 doshas :Vata, Pitta, Kapha
Vata: It is composed of the elements space and air- considered the most basic of the three doshas, because it is the moving force behind the other two doshas. Vata is responsible for all somatic activities and sensations. It is the intelligence which channels perceptions (temperature, pressure, sweetness, lightning, music etc.) through the appropriate sensory organs, converts them internal psychological events, and then orchestrates the appropriate response via the organs of action. It is responsible for all the movements in the mind and body; the movement of air in and out of the lungs, the flow of blood, movement of nutrients, and thoughts through the mind. Vata promotes a healthy balance between the thought and emotion and gives rise to creativity, activity and clear comprehension.


Balanced vata
Proper coordination of all body functions
Normal movements associated with eating, digestion, elimination
Mental activity controlled and precise
Control of organs of perception and organs of action
Stimulation of digestive juices
Desire to lead an active life, vitality, curiosity, natural interest


Normal drying of occasional mucous discharges

Normal respiratory function

Normal; sleep pattern


Excellent energy level


Unbalanced vata
Body functions impaired or disorganised
Movements for eating, digestion, elimination disturbed (bloating, constipation, gas )
Mental agitation, confusion; imapired memory
Peeception and action inappropriate; senses dulled, response untimely
Deficiency of digestive juices
Loss of energy and joy for life.

Persistent bodily discharges
Shortness of breath, dry cough, disturbance in respiratory movements.
Insomnia, light or interrupted sleep
Non-specific fatigue, anxiety, worry, cold- intolerance, depletion of life force.

Kapha is constituted of prithvi (earth) and jal (water).
It is the force which provides structure to everything , gives strength, stability, and endurance- both physical and mental and promotes human emotions and capacities such as love, compassion, empathy, understanding, forgiveness, loyalty and patience.
Kapha dosha governs immunity and resistance against disease; its energy promotes self-healing, and the on-going processes of self repairs. Kapha is the anabolic force in the body which governs the formation of neuropeptides, stomach linings, provides lubrication at various joints in the body,

Balanced kapha
Excellent nutritional status; firm musculature, strong bones.
Adequate moisture and lubrication through out the body
Well-knit joints
Stable, compact and strong physique
Sexual potency, strong immunity
Calm, forgiving, understanding, patient
Strong digestion, regular appetite
Physiological amounts of respiratory moisture


Unbalanced kapha
Poor nutritional status, flabby, fatigued
Dry; decreased mucous and saliva
Loose joints, prone to sprains
Soft and weakened physique; obese
Sexual impotency, sedentary, diminished immunity
Intolerant, insecure, jealous, rude
Slow digestion, appetite unregulated
Excess mucous production


Pitta dosha is composed of agni (fire) and jal (water ).

Pitta dosha governs all digestive function and all chemical and metabolic transformations in the body as well as the process that promoted heat (energy) production
. Pitta stimulates intellect and creates enthusisam and determination.
Regarded as the fire within the body, and thus controls energy production and all the associated metabolic processes. Pitta also controls vision and body complexion.
Balance pitta

Strong and complete digestion

Normal heat and thirst mechanisms
Excellent vision

Good complexion, healthy facial tone & coloration

Hair lustrous, usually slightly wavy


Courageous, cheerful, focused, stimulated, open, intelligent.

Unbalanced pitta
Incomplete digestion
Irregular body temperature, disturbed perspiration, unregulated fluid intake
Impaired vision
Variable, blotchy skin color, inflamed unhealthy appearance
Irritable, anxious, obsessed
Loss of energy and joy for life
Dullness of reasoning faculty
Spiritually impoverished

Heartburn, peptic ulcer, irritable bowels, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, alcoholism.

Prakrithi (Constitution

The relative proportion of the vata/ kapha/ pitta qualities determines the prakrithi or the constitution of a person.
A person can be a single dosha type (vata/ pitta/kapha type ) or a bi-doshic type ( vata-pitta/ pitta-vata/ pitta-kapha/ kapha-pitta/ kapha-vata/ vata-kapha).Bi-doshic types are the most prevalent. Tri-doshic types also occur, though less commonly.
The treatment schedule depends on the unique composition of the person as found out through the examination of the roga and the rogi (Roga-rogi pareeksha ).

Check your PRAKRITI


VATA
Skin and hair texture dry
Skin cold
Physique normal
Short build
Talk a lot, cannot sit idle, walk fast
Less stamina
Regular bowels
Can digest heavy meals
Fluctuating mood
Get easily bored
Hurry in doing any work


PITTA
Skin and hair oily
Skin cant tolerate hot weather
Physique slim
Proportionate build
Think a lot and always pre planned
Average stamina
Regular bowels
Can digest heavy meals
Vigorous, impatient
Set goals & do not sit till the job is finished
Work in a normal speed


KAPHA
Skin smooth, sool, moist, hair normal thick
Skin likes warm weather
Physique heavy
Disproportionate build
Speak low, walk slow, talk slow
Good stamina
Easily constipated
Cant digest heavy meals easily
Calm, patient
Decisive, stick to the decision
Work slowly, take time tp finish work.

Dr PN Ravindran

Ancient Classification of Indian Medicinal Plants:

Charaka's System of medicinal plant classification:
The ancient Rishi Charaka, the Father of Ayurvedic System of medicine, classified medicinal plants based on their curative properties. He recognized 50 such groups.
Some of these groups are for the treatment or amelioration or for enhancing human faculties and appearance.
Some important groups:
lGroup 1 : Jeevaneeya gana ( drugs that helps in improving vitality and in giving long life )
Jeevaka ( Microstylis wallichi * l
Rishabha ( Microstylis muscifera )*
Meda (Polygonatum verticillatum )*
Mahameda (same as the above)*
Kakoli (Rosea procera ) *
Ksheera kakoli ( same as above ) *
Mudgaparni Phaseolus trilobus
Masha parni Teramnus labialis
Jeevanthi Holostemma adakodian / Leptadenia reticulata *
Madhuka Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)

Group 2: Byahaneeya gana : Drugs that are helpful in physical growth
. Ksheerani Mimusops hexandra
. Rajakhsvaka Euphorbia thymifolia
Vadasayani Sida alba, S. spinosa
Bhadrodini = Sida cordifolia
Bharadwaji Thespesia lampas
Payasya Ipomeapalmata/
Peuraria tuberosa
. Aswagandha Withania somnifera


Group 3: Lekhaneeya gana : Drugs that reduces obesity
. Mustha Cyperus rotundus
. Kustha Saussurea lappa
Haridra Curcuma longa
Daruharidra Berberis aristata
Vacha Acorus calamus
Ativisha Aconitum heterophyllum
Sakuladini Picorrhiza kurroa
Chitra Plumbago rosea/ P. zeylanica
Chiribila Holoptelia integrifolia
Haimavathi Terminalia chebula
PN Ravindran
To be continued..

MEDIPLANTS-NATURE'S GIFT TO MANKIND

Monday, April 27, 2009

RAVI'S MEDIPLANTS CORNER

MEDICINAL PLANTS- NATURE'S GIFT TO MANKIND

Medicinal Plants- History starts ~ 60 million years BP (Before the present ): Flowering plants emerge – evolve phytochemical defenses against phytovores

~ 6 million BP: primates evolve into primitive man-

~ 50,000 BP: Man learns the art of cooking (meat).

~18000 BP: Man crosses the Bering Bridge , opening up the New World, comes into contact with the new world spp. Such as Capsicum, Osmorrhiza, Sassafras etc.

~8000 BP: Indus-valley Civilization, cultivation of many crops including sesamum. ~6000 BP: Sumerians used licorice and opium; Fenugreek identified in Iraq.

In India the Ayurvedic system of medicine started evolving

~5000 BP: Charak codifies the Ayurvedic system – Charak samhitha
INDIAN SCENARIO
Medicinal Plants : in ancient India
Medicinal Plants Classification by Charaka
50 Groups (Vargas)
1. Jeevaneeyam – Promoting life – 10 plants
2. Brimhaneeyam – Promoting growth – 10 plants
3. Lekhaniyam – Reducing growth – 10 plants
…………………………..
50. Vayasthaapana – Imparting youthfulness – 10 plants

Classification by Susrutha- 38 ganas
1. Vidaarandhyadigana – counteracts vata and pitta (19 Nos.)
2. Aaragwadhaadigana – checks kapha and poison (20 Nos.)
3. Varunadigana – checks kapha and medas (22 Nos.)
35. Dasamoola - 5 Kaneeyapanchamoola + 5 Mahapanchamoola -
checks kapha, pitta and vayu, curative of all ‘jwaras’
38. Trinapanchamoola – cures disorders of urine & raktapitta

Classification of Vagbhata 33 Groups (Ganas)
1. Vamanoushadhagana – Emetics (21 Nos.)
……….
……….
Syaamaadigana – checks gulma, visha, aruchi, kapha, hridroga and mootrakrichra (16 Nos.)

Ayurvedic MPs- scenario in India
•No. of plants used in Ayurveda – 1769
•Plants having direct Med. use – 7500
•New claims and leads – 950
•Used as pesticides and allied uses – 350
•Used as biopesticides – 175
•App. 4635 Ethnic communities of India use about 9500 plants for healthcare
India has the richest, oldest and most diverse cultural traditions in the use of MPs.

BIODIVERSITY IN RELATION TO MEDI.PLANTS
India – One of the 12 mega diversity regionsF
8% of the global Bd.
45000 plant spp.
16 Agroclimatic zones
10 Vegetation zones
426 unique habitats
# 30 m. (guesstimate) microorganismsF
15 biotic provinces

India- 2 hot spots;
Hot spot concept IS based on endemism- hotspots have high concentration of endemic species facing imminent habitat destruction.
India has more endemic species than other regions except Australia.
315 flowering plant families occur in India out of the 400- and a total of 15300 flowering plant species.

Wait for next issue...more on medi-plants of India.

Posted by ravi nair at 7:14 AM 0 comments