Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 8(3), July 2009, pp. 310-318
Use of Kñéravidäré as a substitute for Vidäré as per Ayurvedic descriptions
Padma Venkatasubramanian*, Subrahmanya Kumar K & SN Venugopal Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, No 74/2, Jarakabande Kaval, Post Attur, via Yelahanka, Bangalore 560 064, Karnataka E-mail: [email protected] Received 6 November 2007 revised 22 October 2008
The classical texts of Ayurveda incorporate multiple names for most of the plant drugs described for their medicinal use. As a result, the correct identification of related botanical source, many a times, becomes ambiguous. Extensive background work on nomenclature correlation can be assumed in the scholarly works of several authors of twentieth century including those of the official formularies and pharmacopoeias of Ayurveda of India. However, the works do not describe the research methodology and findings that led to the correlations. There is an urgent need to revisit this issue systematically and to publish the same through books and articles in peer-reviewed journals. Owing to several reasons, including availability of the required plant raw drugs, there are controversies relating to use of more than one botanical entity by the Ayurvedic manufacturing units. Vidäré ( ivdarI ) is one such example where at least four different botanical entities have been recorded in use by the industry. Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. is the only accepted candidate for Vidäré as per official pharmacopoeias. Kñéravidäré (]IrivdarI ), a well documented type of Vidäré as per the classical Ayurveda texts, finds no mention as Vidäré in these pharmacopoeias. The study, through etymological analysis of Sanskrit synonyms, formulations and verses, indicates that two distinct botanical entities were used as Vidäré , even during the period of Caraka . Both these entities have been described as having similar properties and actions, thus making them eligible to be used as substitutes of one another. The two botanical entities that merit acceptance as sources of the classical Ayurvedic plant drug Vidäré are Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. and Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq., though the later is better known as Kñéravidäré .
Keywords : Ayurveda , Medicinal plant, Synonyms, Vidäré, Kñéravidäré IPC Int. Cl. 8: A61K36/00, A61P25/00
Vidäré is one of the popular plant drugs of Ayurveda is more of recent nature due to problematic market and other traditional Indian Systems of Medicine. It is linkage. There is controversy at the usage level as inferred from the variety of raw drug materials traded also an ingredient of Chyavanapräça , one of the top selling products of Ayurvedic industry 1. Commonly as Vidäré in the market. These include Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. (Fabaceae), known by names like Vidäré and Vidärikanda , the Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. (Convolvulaceae), drug is used almost all over the Indian subcontinent. Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W. J. De Wilde Tubers of Vidäré are used in more than 45 (Passifloraceae) and Cycas circinalis L. formulations of Ayurveda , and in many instances, (Cycadaceae) 5. Demand, supply and regional used directly as single drug 2. It is one of the Balyä availability are some of the reasons for substitution (strength giving) drugs mentioned by Caraka and and adulteration with other species that may or may Susruta 1,3 . Unlike Päçäëabedha, Çankhapuçpé and the not resemble Vidäré in terms of morphology, Açtavarga group, Vidäré is not found in the list of properties or actions. controversial drugs generally accepted by Ayurvedic scholars 4. This is because the obscure identity of these The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as well as drugs has been discussed historically even in classical The Ayurvedic Formulary of India correlate Vidäré to Ayurveda texts, whereas, the controversy with Vidäré Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. and
______Kñéravidäré to Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. , but details of * Corresponding author the methodology and exercise of correlation are not VENKATASUBRAMANIAN et al .: SUBSTITUTE AYURVEDIC DRUGS 311
available 6,7 . Secondly, they do not mention Kñéravidäré All the synonyms and descriptions pertaining to as a type or substitute of Vidäré . In practice, Vidäré and Kñéravidäré were drawn from Caraka Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. is used more Samhitä, Suçruta Samhitä, Açtänga Sangraha and by the physicians of North India as Vidäré , while Açtänga Hrdaya as well as from 12 Nighantus . The Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. is commonly used in the period of these classical works spanned 1500 BC to South. To complicate things further , twentieth Century AD. The modern texts giving Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W. J. De Wilde and Cycas verses and botanical correlations to the basionyms circinalis L. has crept into the raw drug markets and is Vidäré and Kñéravidäré were also referred 2,6-14 . Four 5 also used as Vidäré by several industries . Some botanical candidates of Vidäré , which are in current scholarly works also reflect extensive and rigorous use, were selected for study based on consultation work on nomenclature correlation between Sanskrit with Ayurvedic scholars and industries of North and 8-11 basionyms and distinct botanical entities . However, South India. They were Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex the details of methodologies and research findings are Willd.) DC., Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq., not evident in their publications. There is an urgent Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W. J. De Wilde and Cycas need to publish the research methodologies and circinalis L. Supportive books for translations and findings that led to the name correlations in scientific explanations of words and verses were referred 15-18 . journals, so that it can be understood and accessed by Other than these, the essential floras were referred and researchers and users alike. Possibly there is also a field botanists were consulted in order to obtain need to revisit the exercise to determine if there could authentic botanical descriptions of the selected be other botanical candidates that match the candidates 19,21 . The available synonyms and descriptions, taking on board the regional practices descriptions of Vidäré and Kñéravidäré from the across the country. Therefore, the objectives of the study were twofold namely; identify the similarities Ayurvedic Samhithäs and Nighantus were listed out by trained Ayurveda research scholars. The etymology and differences between Vidäré and Kñéravidäré in of the synonyms was noted as told by Sanskrit terms of Ayurveda and to establish a transparent dictionaries 16,17,22 . The verses were translated into method for botanical name correlation for the two English and the results were tabulated. Each of the Ayurvedic drugs. descriptions compiled was scored against each of the
short listed species to look for presence or absence of Methodology the feature. This was done after practically observing In the study, botanical name correlation was the habit, habitat, morphology and organoleptic undertaken through etymological analysis of its synonyms from the classical Ayurveda texts to obtain characters of the botanical candidates used as Vidäré morphological and other descriptions pertaining to and Kñéravidäré . The presence of a feature was Vidäré and Kñéravidäré . This was combined with a assigned 1 point and absence was marked 0. Expert practical exercise of comparing the descriptions with field botanists and Ayurvedic scholars were consulted the botanical candidates that are in use today as before correlating the habit, habitat and morphological descriptions of the species. The Vidäré . The chronology of plant descriptions was analysed to throw light on the controversy. Additional organoleptic and morphological descriptions of Vidäré information was also searched from verses pertaining and Kñéravidäré such as appearance, colour, shape, to Vidäré from classical texts. Discussions were held taste and smell were compared with authentic with expert Ayurveda practitioners, field botanists, botanical field collections of the four candidates. The raw drug trade specialists and industry to understand total points for each candidate were added to obtain the final scores, on which the conclusions were the status of nomenclature pertaining to Vidäré and drawn. Kñéravidäré and current problems faced in the market. A consensus was arrived at in consultation with the Results and discussion experts as to the methodology that is to be adopted, Sixteen classical Ayurveda texts from 1500 BC to including the classical and modern texts that need to twentieth century AD were studied to draw Sanskrit be referred for this exercise. synonyms pertaining to Vidäré and Kñéravidäré 2. 312 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 8, No. 3, JULY 2009
Table 1 ―Specific synonyms corresponding to Vidäré
Synonyms Root/Derivation Meaning Botanical sources A B C D 28 The leaves of climber resemble those of 1 0 0 0 Vallépaläçika plaz sd&z> ikNtu v‘I êp> Paläça [ Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.] (trifoliate/trilobate) 28 1 0 0 0 Paläçikä plazSyev pÇa{ySy Leaves resemble that of Paläça [Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.] (Trifoliate/trilobate) 28, 33 Trilobate/Trifoliate leaves 1 0 1 0 Triparné - 30 Tubers resemble ash gourd 1 0 0 0 Kooshmandé - 30 1 0 0 0 Vallékandapaläçikä plazsd&z> ikNtu v‘I êp> Plant resembles Paläça [Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.], but it skNdí is a creeper bearing tubers Hastipädaka Alpakñéra 1 Resembling the foot of elephant and with 1 0 0 0 - scanty exudation 10, 33 Large tubers, resembling ash gourd 1 0 0 0 Bhookoosmandé ÉUMyNtgRt> kª:ma{fsd&z kNdae=Sya Total Score 7 0 1 0
Table 2 ―Specific synonyms corresponding to Kñéravidäré
Synonyms Root/Derivation Meaning Botanical sources A B C D
Kñéravidäré 1,3,24,28,32,33 - The Vidäré with milky sap 0 1 0 0 Kñéravidärikä23,24 - Vidäré, with milky latex 0 1 0 0 Kñérakandä1,23 - Tubers ooze milky latex 0 1 0 0 23,24,25,31 Plant is sweet like sugarcane 0 1 0 0 Ikñuvallé #]uirv suSvadv‘I v‘rI ya lta
]IrivdayaRm! 23,25,31 Plant with milky white exudation 0 1 0 0 Kñéravallé ]Ira i]rvtI v‘I 30 It surrounds/creeps with help of nearby tree 0 1 0 0 Vrukñädané V&a]mavtIit ivdarIkNda Plant with lengthy aerial part and with 0 1 0 0 Dheerghakanda & - 1 abundant white exudation Bahukñéra 10 Whole plant is sweet 0 1 0 0 Svädulathä SvaÊlta ivdarI Ikñuvallaré 10 Creepers which are sweet in taste like 0 1 0 0 #]uirv suSvadv‘I v‘rI ya lta sugarcane ]IrivdayaRm! 10 Climber with abundant sap/milky latex 0 1 0 0 Payolathä - 10 0 1 0 0 Payovidärikä - The Vidäré, with sap/milky latex Värivallabhä10 Desires water (Grows near water bodies)/ 0 1 0 0 vairv‘ÉmSya> SvjnkTvat! Contains water Total Score 0 12 0 0
These texts included the Brhattrayés as well as the (clear, but not with specific descriptions), unclear Nighantus . The synonyms obtained from the above (whose meanings were not well understood) and not exercise were analysed and classified as specific verified (not practically verified) (Tables 1-5). That (clear, with verifiable descriptions), non-specific Vidäré is a tuber (Kandä ) and a creeper/climber VENKATASUBRAMANIAN et al .: SUBSTITUTE AYURVEDIC DRUGS 313
(Vallé ) was evident through many specific and non- Vallépaläçikä (leaves of climber resemble those of specific descriptions (Tables 1-3). The following were Paläça [ Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.] , the results of further analysis of the descriptions and Kooshmandé (tubers resemble ash gourd) , verses. The specific descriptions seem to point to two mutually exclusive and distinct botanical entities. Vallékandapaläçikä (a creeper bearing tubers , leaves While the descriptions such as Paläçikä (leaves resembling Paläça [Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.], resemble that of Paläça [ Butea monosperma (Lam.) Hastipädaka & Alpakñéra (resembling the foot of Taub.] , Triparni (trilobate/trifoliate leaves) (Fig. 1) , elephant and with scanty exudation) refer to one entity,
Table 3 ―Non-specific synonyms pertaining to Vidäri and Kshiravidari
Synonyms Root/derivation Meaning Botanical sources A B C D
1,3,8,10,23,25,26,27,28,30,31,32,33, The tuber breaks earth surface 1 1 1 0 Vidäré ivdarytIit ÉUimimit 3,23,30,31 The huge tuber breaks earth surface 1 1 1 0 Vidärikä b«hTvTvat! kNdkaySy ÉUimm!
xarytIv 3 Red/purple coloured flowers 1 1 0 0 Lohitakusumä - Payasyä1,3,26 Contains abundant water/moisture/Milky 1 1 0 0 pyae ivxait ASya latex 28 A flower bearing climber 1 1 1 0 Puçpavallé - 28,24 Bears white tubers 1 1 0 0 Çuklakandä zu¬> ñetv[R> kNdae=Sy Ikñugandikä28,24 Aroma of tubers resembles that of 1 1 0 0 #]ugNx #v gNxae=Sy sugarcane Athiguhä23,28 Creates space (in the earth) and grows 1 1 1 0 Ait³aNtae guha< mXyavkazen (tubers) Payasviné23,24,25,28,31, Contains abundant water/moisture/Milky 1 1 0 0 pyae ivxait ASya latex 23,25,28,15 Tubers resembles colour of milk 1 1 0 1 Kñérashuklä ]Irimv zu¬v[R kNda 10,23,25,30,31,33 Tubers are sweet in taste 1 1 0 0 Svadukandä SvaxumRxur> kNdae=Sya Ikñugandhä10,23,25,31,33 Aroma of tubers resembles that of 1 1 0 0 #]aeirv gNxae=Sya sugarcane 10,23,31,33 White coloured 1 1 0 1 Çuklä zu¬> ñetv[R> zuæ> 24,25 Tubers are white coloured 1 1 0 0 Çuklakandä - 24 Large in size (Tubers) and White coloured 1 1 0 1 Mahashwetä mhtI c AsaE ñeta c #it ivdarI 10,25,33 Sweet in taste/White coloured 1 1 0 1 Sithä zkRr> 25 The tuber breaks earth surface 1 1 1 0 Vidälé ivdarI 24 The Vidari with sweet taste 1 1 0 0 Ikñuvidäré - Pätalakoñtaka 8 - Having underground receptacle/store 1 1 1 0 room (tubers) Total Score 19 19 6 4 Note: A. Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. B. Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. C. Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W. J. De Wilde D. Cycas circinalis L. 314 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 8, No. 3, JULY 2009
Fig. 1 ―Trifoliate leaves of P. tuberosa & Fig. 2 ―Tuber of Ipomoea mauritiana Fig. 3 ―Tuber of Pueraria tuberosa B monosperma terms pertaining to milk, latex or sap ( Kñéravidäré, Table 4 ―Synonyms whose meanings were unclear Kñérakandä) (Fig. 2) and sugarcane ( Ikñuvallé Synonyms Root/ Meaning Ikñuvallaré , etc.) refer to a totally different entity Derivation (Tables 1&2). Among the candidates, the plant which, matches unequivocally with the former set of Dhruvä28 - Fixed/firm descriptions (scoring 7 points) was Çreçtakandaka28 - Superior among tubers (size/quality) Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. (Table 1), Saumyä28 - Cool/Moist/Mild / Çhéta Vérya while Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. matches with the Puçpakandä30 - Bears flowers on trunk/tuber second set of descriptions (12 points) referring to Kñéravidäré (Table 2). Since the descriptions seem to (white tubers) (Figs. 2 & 3), Lohitakusumä refer to two species, the overall points were not (red/purple flowers) and Swädukandä (sweet tubers) clubbed together and were kept separate as two distinct etc. helped to distinguish Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex entities. Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W. J. De Wilde and Willd.) DC. and Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. from Cycas circinalis L. did not merit as Vidäré or Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W. J. De Wilde , and the Kñéravidäré . However, Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W. J. terms like Puçpavallé, Çuklakandä and Lohitakusumä, De Wilde, possessing trilobate leaf could fit the etc. from Cycas circinalis L. (Table 3). description of Triparëé (three lobed or tripinnate leaf). The meanings of certain terms like Saumyä , There were general descriptions such as Vidäré Puçpakandä, Çreçtakandä and Dhruvä were not clear (tuber that breaks the earth surface), Vidärika (large and could not be marked (Table 4). There were synonyms such as (smell itself is tuber that breaks the earth surface) and Puçpavallé (a Vruçyagandhä flower bearing climber), which are clear but are not aphrodisiac), Vruçyakandä (tubers are aphrodisiac), specific to one botanical entity. These descriptions Açvavallabhä (liked by horses), Kroçté (liked by match not only with Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex jackals) and Gajeçtä (liked by elephants) could not be Willd.) DC. and Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. but also verified by us for practical reasons (Table 5), hence, with Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) W. J. De Wilde (Table have not been marked against the candidates. 3) . Both, Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) The occurrence of two types of and DC. and Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. scored equally (19 Vidäré , Vidäré points) while marking the presence or absence of the Kñéravidäré , is evident through the unique and non-specific descriptions. Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) mutually exclusive descriptions (Tables 1, 2). This is W. J. De Wilde (6 points) and Cycas circinalis L. (4 further supported by references from the Samhithä points) were not strong candidates (Table 3). period 1,3. Table 6 summarises the evidence to indicate However, terms like Çuklakandä (white tubers), Sithä the presence of two types of Vidäré . Appearance of VENKATASUBRAMANIAN et al .: SUBSTITUTE AYURVEDIC DRUGS 315
Table 5 ―Synonyms that could not be verified Synonyms Root/Derivation Meaning
28 Plant is liked and eaten by the elephants and horses Gajaväjéçtä gjanam! vajInam! c #ò> 23 The climber bears tubers, which are tonic/nourishing Vriçyavallé V&a:ym! blkarkm! kNdm! ySya> 23 Its smell itself is aphrodisiac Vruçagandä V&a:yae gNxae ySya> 28 Tubers are liked and eaten by wild cats Vidälikä/ Bidälikä ibfalanam! iàya 23,24,31,33 Tubers are aphrodisiac Vrçyakandä V&a:y> kNdae=Sya 30 Liked by the horses Açvavallabhä 25 Jackals like this tubers Kroçté ï«galjaitiSvyam! tiTàyTvat! ñetÉUimkª:ma{fe 33 Plant is liked and eaten by the elephants and horses Gajaväjépriyä gjana< vjInam! c iàya 10,33 Elephants like to eat this plant Gajeshtä gjanam! #òa ivdayaRm!
Table 6 ―Textual reference to support the existence of two types of Vidär é
Names mentioned Reference Context Comments i. Vidäré Charaka Samhithä Madhuraskandha of Mentioning Vidäré and Kñéravidäré under the same ii. Kñéravidäré Vimanasthana 8/139 Caraka Skanda (group) suggests Samhitä they are distinct entities. i. Vidäré Charaka Samhithä Amruthapräça Ghrita - A Use of Vidäré and Payasyä (Kñéravidäré ) as two formulation in the ii. Payasyä Chikitsastana 11/35-43 ingredients in the same formulation suggests two treatment of Kñatakñina distinct entities. (Emaciation) i. Dérghakandä & Cakrapani Téka on Caraka Commentory on Caraka There is no direct mention of the terms Vidäré and Samhitha Bahukñérä Samhithä Kñéravidäré in this context. But Cakrapani says, ii. Hastipadakä & one variety of Vidäré is Dérghakandä & Bahukñérä Alpakñéirä (which resembles Kñéravidäré ) and The other variety is Hastipadakä & Alpakñéirä (resembling Vidäré ). i. Vidärikä Dhanvantari Nighantu , Nighantu After narrating about Vidäré , the next line starts as Guduchyadi Varga, 143- ii. Kñéravidäré Anyä Kñéravidäré the term Anyä indicates 146 Kñéravidäré as a type of Vidäré . ( Anyä works here i. Vidäré Kaiyadeva Nighantu Nighantu Oshadhi Varga as a bridge between the first and second Shloka ) ii. Kñéravidäré i. Vidäré Räja Nighantu Nighantu ii. Kñéravidäré Moolakadi Varga, 99,100
i. Vidäré Indian Medicinal Plants by Vidäré and Kñéravidäré are identified as two distinct Warrier et al., Vol-3 & 4 species ii. Kñéravidäré
i. Vidäré The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, ii .Kñéravidäré Part-I, Vol II
i. Vidäré The Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Vol-I ii. Kñéravidäré the terms Vidäré and Kñéravidäré together under contain both Vidäré and Kñéravidäré as ingredients 1. Madhuraskandha of Caraka Samhitha indicates that The existence of two candidates for Vidäré is also they are two entities 1 (Table 6). Further evidence is evident from Cakrapani’s interpretation of Caraka seen where formulations like Amruthapräça Ghrita Samhithä, as follows: 316 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 8, No. 3, JULY 2009
evidence to suggest that even though the two types of “ivdarI ivdarIkNd> s iÖivx> @k> dI"Rka{fae b÷]Ir> ]IrivdarI Vidäré have distinct morphological features, they 8 Vyviÿyte, ANyae hiStpadkae ALp]Ir> . ” (crkqIkaya< c³pai[> ) possess similar actions. The differences between Vidäré is otherwise called as Vidärikandä. It is of Vidäré and Kñéravidäré are evident from Tables 1, 2 two types, one with elongated tuber and abundant and 6 and the similarities of the two species have been milky white sap and the other resembling foot of an compiled in Table 7 to give a better understanding. elephant and with scanty sap. In Nighantus , mention The following verses in Dhanvantari Nighantu of Kñéravidäré was almost always found in association (eleventh century AD) indicate that Vidäré and with Vidäré , suggesting Kñéravidäré as a type of Kñéravidäré are distinct entities but their properties 23 Vidäré rather than an altogether separate drug. Phrases and actions are similar (Table 7) . Therefore, they can be used as substitutes for one another. like “ ANya ]IrivdarI ”…. (The other is Kñéravidäré ) also support this 23-25 . Modern authors, The Ayurvedic Vidäré: Pharmacopoeia of India, and The Ayurvedic ivdarI izizra SvaÊguRé> iõGxa smIrijt!, Formulary of India identify Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ipÄaöijÄwa bLya v&:ya cEv àkIitRta. (x, in, gufªCyaid ex Willd.) DC. as Vidäré and Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. as Kñéravidäré 6,7,9,11,15 . There is sufficient vgR 154 ) Table 7 ―Similarities in the properties and actions of Vidäré and Kñéravidäré Vidäré Kñéravidäré Remarks Sloka Meaning Sloka Meaning
mxurae b« x, in, gufªCyaidvgR Vidäré is having Madhura Kñéravidäré is Madhura, Both have ivdarI mxura zIta gué> }eya ]IrivdarI c Madhurarasa and help rasa, Çéta Vérya, Guru , and Amla, Kaçäya and Tikta to cure Pittarogas. iõGxaöipÄijt!, }eya Snigdha Guëas. Known to mxuraMla k;ayka, in Rasa. Cures , c k)k¯Tpuiò< bLya increase Kapha , and body it´a c ipÄ zUl¹I Pittadoça, Shoola built. Cures Raktapitta and Mutrarogas and 25 StNy ivvixRnI. promotes strength and mUÇàmehamyapha. ra, Prameha . lactation 25 . ra, in, mUlkaidvgR in, mUlkaidvgR Note: Similar properties and actions have been indicated in bold VENKATASUBRAMANIAN et al .: SUBSTITUTE AYURVEDIC DRUGS 317 1,26 Vidäré possesses Madhura Rasa, Çéta Vérya , Guru and Sarpi containing Vidäré have been used . Similarly Snigdha Guëa . It is Vätahara and cures Raktapitta , acts for the same indications, Çatävaré Payasyä Cürëa as enhancer of body strength and is an aphrodisiac. containing Kñéravidäré has been used 26 . Similarly, Kñéravidäré : both herbs have been indicated in Stanyadoça, Svarasäda and Raktapitta (Table 8). bLya vatipÄhra c sa , mxura b¯ Indication Formulations containing Vidär é Kñéravidär é Indication 1 Ämalaka Ghrita (Cha. C. 1/2-4) 1 Çatävaré Payasyä Cürëa (As. U. 49/254) 26 Äyuçya (gives longevity) Gokñura Vidäré Ghrita (As. U. 50/36) 26 Vriçya (aphrodisiac) Mäçätmagupta Sarpi (As. U. 50/65) 26 Pathyakara Ghrita (Cha. C. 2/27) 1 Indication 2 Bilva Vidäré Kalka (Cha. C. 30/278) 1 Dräkçä Madhuka Kalka (Cha. C. 30/263) 1 Stanyadoça (diseases of breast milk) Indication 3 Dräkçädi Swarasa (Cha. C. 26/282) 1 Balä Payasyä Cürëa (Cha. C. 7/61) 1 Svarasäda (hoarseness of voice) 26 Indication 4 Madhuka Kñérapäka (As. Sha. 4/20) Madhuka Payasyä Kñérapäka (As. Sha. 4/7) 26 Garbha Vyäpat (Problems during Säriva Ananta Kñéra (As. Sha. 2/59) 26 pregnancy) 26 Vayastha Çatävaré Taila (As. U. 6/28) Indication 5 Vidäré Swarasa (As. C. 3/78) 26 Manjiñtha Säriva Kñérapäka (Cha. Si. 10/43) 1 Raktapitta (Bleeding disorders) 318 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 8, No. 3, JULY 2009 Ayurvedic plant drugs whose botanical identity is 9 Sharma PV, Dravyaguna Vijnana , Vol II, (Chowkhambha ambiguous. Due to contemporary problems associated Bharati Academy, Varanasi), 2006, 738. 10 Bhavaprakasa Nighantu of Bhavamisra, with Commentary of with regional practices as well as market linkage, KC Chunekar, (Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi), similar detailed study and publishing on several plant 2004, 387-389. drugs including Asoka, Päçäëabedha, Çankhapuçpé 11 Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK & Ramankutty C, Indian Medicinal Plants , Vol III & IV, (Orient Longman Private Limited, and jévanté will help in resolving issues relating to Chennai), 2007, 222; 2003, 391. their accepted sources. It will help to improve quality 12 Sivarajan VV & Balachandran I, Ayurvedic Drugs and their Plant Sources , (Oxford & IBH Publishing Co Pvt Ltd, New standards of Ayurvedic formulations being Delhi), 2004, 510. manufactured by the industries. It will also encourage 13 Sarin YK, Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in systematic and transparent way of documenting Ayurveda , (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research & Indian research methodologies and findings that can be Council of Medical Research, New Delhi), 1996, 162. 14 Singh TB & Chunekar KC, Glossary of Vegetable Drugs in referred to by posterity. Brhattrayi , (The Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi), 1972, 125 & 370. Acknowledgement 15 Sharma PV, Namarupajnanam , (Chaukhambha Bharati The funding for the research work was through Academy, Varanasi), 2000, 173. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of 16 Taranatha Tarkavachaspati, Vachaspathyam , (Choukhambha India and Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which is gratefully Sanskrit Series, Varanasi), 1990. acknowledged. Authors wish to express sincere 17 Radhakanth Deva, Shabdakalpadruma , (Nag Publishers, Delhi), 1988. gratitude to all the expert Ayurveda physicians, who 18 Monier-Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary , (Motilal participated in the discussions. Thanks are particularly Banarasidass Publishers Pvt Ltd, Delhi), 1999. due to Vd Vilas Nanal, Mr D K Ved, Vd GG 19 Gamble JS, Flora of the Presidency of Madras , Vol I, (Adlard & Gangadharan, and Dr P M Unnikrishnan for their Son Limited, London), 1935, 360. 20 Bhat GK, Flora of Udupi , (Indian Naturalists, Udupi), 2003, critical reading of the manuscript. Authors are 232, 407. grateful to Dr Ravi Kumar, Dr Jawahar, Mr Ganesh 21 Parrotta JA, Healing Plants of Peninsular India , (CABI Babu and other botanists for collection of authentic Publishing, UK), 2001. samples and for botanical inputs, to Dr UG Geetha 22 Amarakosha , edited by AA Ramanath, (The Adyar Library & Research Centre, Chennai), 1978. and Dr Madhura for their inputs in compilation of 23 Dhanvantari Nighantuh , edited by PV Sharma & Hindi synonyms. Special thanks are due to Mr Darshan Translation by GP Sharma, (Choukhambha Orientalia, Shankar for encouraging cross-cultural research Varanasi), 1982, 42-43. between traditional and modern science. 24 Kaiyadeva Nighantu of Kaiyadeva, edited & translated in Hindi by PV Sharma & GP Sharma, (Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi), 1979, 638. 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