75 ISSN:2581-7884 Eastern Scientist© Swadeshi Vigyan Santhanam-Vijnana Bharati bZLVuZlkbafVLV Issue 14/15- Vol.1/2 -Jan-Mar/Apr.-Jun. 2021 pp.75-95 www.easternscientist.in Doctrine of Signatures Shree Nitu1 1M.D.(Dravyaguna), Lecturer (Dravyaguna Dept.), Major S.D.Singh P.G. Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Fatehgarh , Farrukhabad, U.P. Abstract- The Doctrine of Signatures is an old tradition or a part of many traditions, that plants (as well as animals and minerals and perhaps even phenomena) have clues or “signatures” in their shapes, forms, actions and things that tell what their purposes are. It proposes the idea that God has given everything in nature its unique healing power and left a clue for us to discover it in the appearance of each plant or substance. The Doctrine of Signatures is a part of that theory which posits that all things in the universe are resonating in a relatively small number of frequencies and that resonate at similar frequencies have deep impact on one another. The basic idea is that every living thing has been blown in same life force or spirit, while its physical form is influenced by a certain form of this universal energy. There are many examples of Doctrine of Signatures based on morphology, astrology, behavioural similarity, smell etc. Which give a sort of general overview to this theory (for example a sliced carrot looks like human eye and it greatly enhances blood flow to and function of eyes; a walnut looks like a little brain and act as brain food etc.). Different streams of treatment (like Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Chineses therapy etc.) have different views or openion regarding it. The present work is an effort to collect all possible information regarding the concept of Doctrine of Signatures. We can say that this concept helps to study materia medica in a literal style and thereby making the subject Eastern Scientist- Combined Issue-14/15-Vol.1/2 - Jan.-Mar & Apr.-Jun 2021 76 ISSN:2581-7884 more interesting. It may help for the study of materia medica and not for practical application of materia medica. (Key words- Doctrine, signatures, clue) Introduction While humans suffered in olden times from innumerable maladies and diseases, they experimented with plant cures. But how would they know what plant to use? Out of frustration probably developed the concept of the plant "Signature". Religious people taught that God provided visual clues, because plants were placed on earth for the good of mankind. The key to human use of plants was hidden in the form (Signature) of the plant itself, so look closely for the label from God that permits us to recognize and utilize these plants for the benefit of life. Human beings began to believe that nature alone could provide the means to remove pain and disease and thus they sought remedies in nature, i.e., in plants, minerals and animals. A variety of medicinal agent were collected on the basis of their symbolic qualities as well as their astrological signs. The resemblance may be physical or subtly symbolic, obvious or hidden, but it is there. The basic idea is that every living thing has been blown in the same life force or spirit, while its physical form is influenced by a certain form of this universal energy. The word ‘doctrine’ means belief and the word ‘signature’ is said to be a duplet, which has been derived from two words sign and nature, meaning signs of nature. In simple terms 'doctrine of signature' is a belief on various signs of nature or clues given by nature. Synonyms used for Doctrine of signatures are Doctrine of correspondence or metaphorical naturalism or a fingerprint of the devine. Pioneers of Doctrine of Signatures- Paracelsus, Gambatista Porta,Jacob Bohme,William Coles, Hahnemann, C.M.Borger, H. A. Robert, J .C.Burnett are some popular names in the field of Doctrine of signatures. Eastern Scientist- Combined Issue-14/15-Vol.1/2 - Jan.-Mar & Apr.-Jun 2021 77 ISSN:2581-7884 Basics used in Doctrine of signatures Here are the basics used in the Doctrine of Signatures: A. Morphology of plant (1). The roots of the plant have their influence on the brains of a human being; plants with impressive roots are good to ground airy people. (2). The stems and leaves represent the middle part in a human being; think of the breast, heart and lungs. Further the stem is analogous to our skeleton. (3). The flowers mostly work on the lower belly and the genitals. (4). Upward growing plants fully open up to the force of the sun, and therefore bring optimism and enthusiasm. (5).Downward pointing plants with hanging flowers harmonize people who feel down or depressed; so here Like-cures-like. (6).Horizontally growing plants symbolize contact and exchange and therewith promote the circulation of blood and lungs. (7). A round stem is associated with femininity, harmony and softness. (8).A square stems points at the masculine qualities of immunity and strength. (9).A hollow stem reveals that the plant may relief complaints with the hollow organs in a human being, like the lungs or the gullet. (10).A hairy stem and ditto leaves show action on the skin, hair and mucous membranes. (11).Thorns and stings show that the plant promotes regeneration and immunity. (12). Small and divided leaves show a contracting force in the plant but have a relaxing effect on a human being. (13). Large leaves on the other hand have contracting power in a human being and may help to stop profuse bleedings or increase muscle contractions. (14). Dark-green leaves work calming and vitalizing. (15). Yellow-green leaves promote the metabolism. (16).Dark yellow flowers stimulate the life force and the liver (17).Light yellow flowers are good for internal cleansing of the body. Eastern Scientist- Combined Issue-14/15-Vol.1/2 - Jan.-Mar & Apr.-Jun 2021 78 ISSN:2581-7884 (18).Red flowers work on the heart, blood circulation, energy and vitality. (19).Orange flowers work on the solar plexus and bring enthusiasm. (20).Pink flowers work softening and harmonizing. (21).Blue flowers cool down heat complaints like fever, inflammations or an irritable character. (22).Purple flowers relax the nervous system and make a person more introvert. (23).White flowers work soothing in inflammations and have their special working area on the female organs. (24).The color brown brings inner calm and strength, especially in case of Exhaustion. B. Some “wort” plants and their signature Some examples are: • liverwort = relieve liver trouble • lungwort (Pulmonaria officeinalisBoraginaceae) =resembled a diseased lung & so indicate the use of the plant for pulmonary complaint • adder’s tongue = cure for wounds and inflammation from snakebite • bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis;papaveraceae) = cure blood disorders; induce • vomiting;laxative • toothwort = relieve toothache • gravelwort = dissolve stones in the urinary tract • wormwood = expel intestinal parasites • pilewort = cure hemorrhoids • ginseng = "man essense," used as a general human panacea • mandrake plant (similar to a child) = promote sexual passion in females hence useful for sterility. • maidenhair fern(Adiantum pedatum;Pteridaceae) = cure baldness. • Spleen wort, Asplenium (similar to spleen): Hence useful for disorders of spleen. • Louse wort (similar to lice): Hence useful in repelling lice. C. Resemblance to different body organs Eastern Scientist- Combined Issue-14/15-Vol.1/2 - Jan.-Mar & Apr.-Jun 2021 79 ISSN:2581-7884 It now contends that every whole food has a pattern that resembles a Body organ or physiological function and that this pattern acts as a Signal or sign as to the benefit the food provides the eat It can be understood by following examples: A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and science now shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes. A tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food. It has been proved that it prevent atherosclerosis by inhibiting platelet aggregation. Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food. The chemical constituent polyphenols (resveratrol) present in it which reduces platelet aggregation, vasodilation and decreases the activity of angiotensin. The cardioprotective activity on heart is supposed to be mediated through antioxidant property of resveratrol. Resveratrol significantly protects LDL from oxidation. Resveratrol inhibits cyclooxygenase pathway and thus it influences platelet aggregation. A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuro-transmitters for brain function. It having high omega-3 oil content which act as brain food. Eastern Scientist- Combined Issue-14/15-Vol.1/2 - Jan.-Mar & Apr.-Jun 2021 80 ISSN:2581-7884 Kidney beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and they look exactly like the human kidneys. It inhibits the action of alpha-amylase (an enzyme used by human body to convert starch to glucose) and also assist kidney by removing excess phosphorus from it. Eggplant, Avocadoes and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. It strengthens the capability of female system, balance female hormones, shed unwanted birth weight and prevent cervical cancers.Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers.