A Text Book of Dravyaguna Vijnana (Volume - 2)

The book "A Textbook of Dravyaguna Vigyana" Volume II covers the Second paper of Dravyaguna Syllabus. The Book is written as per the latest syllabus of CCIM. The Drug details are presented as per the points mentioned in the CCIM syllabus for undergraduate students. The language is kept simple for easy understanding for students all over India. Pictures depicting the plant morphology have been given for tall the detailed drugs which make it easy to understand. a quick glance table has been given for each detailed drug at the beginning. The drug synonyms have been clearly explained and classified. The mode of action of drugs has been explained wherever possible. We hope that the book is useful for the students of Dravyaguna.

Dr. Supriya Kallianpur is post graduate in Dravyaguna from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. She has 5 years of Teaching and Research experience. She has 12 publications in national and International indexed journals. She has published a reference book on Dietary substances entitled "Mahabhaishajya Aahara" (Chaukambha Orientalia, Varanasi). She has presented research papers at different National and of the Deparment of Dravyaguna in Shree Swaminarayan Ayurveda College and PSM Hospital, Kalol, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Dr. Rohit A. Gokarn is a Post graduate in Rasahastra from Rajiv Gandhi Unviersity of Health Sciences and has obtained Ph.D. from IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurveda University. He has 7yrs of teaching experience. He has worked as Investigator in various research projects. He has guided Post graduate students and has 37 papers published in National and International Indexed Journals. He has published a reference book on Dietary substances entitled "Mahabhaishjya Aahara"

After completion of the first Volume on the fundamental principles of Dravyaguna, the Second Volume discusses about the Pharmacology of Ayurveda drugs. The Drugs mentioned in the UG syllabus prescribed by CCIM has been taken up in the Book.

Professor P.V. Sharma describes Dravyaguna Shastra as the branch of Science that deals with Namarupa, Guna karma and Prayoga of Dravya. After understanding of the Basic principles of Drug action, it is important to the study the Drug in detail with regards to its Nama, Rupa, Guna, Karma and Prayoga. One who has the thorough knowledge of Dravyas can be confident to treat with these medicines.

Ayurveda considers the Human Body to be made of Panchamahabhutas and The Dravyas are also Panchbhoutik in Nature, so the treatment is based on the correction of panchamabhutas in the body by using Dravyas. Drug action in Ayurveda is attributed to the Rasa Panchaka i.e. Rasa, Guna, Virya and Vipaka. Again the Dravyadoes not act only by the gunaprabhava but the dravya may act through dravyaprabhava, gunaprabhava or dravyagunaprabhava. Charaka has explained the terms related to drug action in detail. That which performs the drug action is Karma, that which is the means of performing the action is Virya, the site of action is Adhikarana, the time taken for the drug action is Kala, the way in which it acts is the Upaya, the result obtained is the Phala.

The Rasa of a dravya can be determined by its contact (Nipata) with the tongue, Virya is ascertained by External contact (Nipata) or Adhivasa (internal contact with the site of action). Vipaka is inferred by the final effect on Digestion and metabolism. Acharya Charaka. When the drug action cannot be ascertained by the Rasa Panchaka, it is said to be due to Prabhava.

The use of herbs in treatment can be traced back to Oushadi Sukta of Rigveda and also Atharvaveda. According to Proff. P.V. Sharma, the number of drugs mentioned in Rigveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda are about 67, 81 and 289 respectively. According to Thakur Balwant Singh, the number of drugs in the Bruhattrayi is approximately between six and seven hundred. With Foreign Invasion and rule, more drug were added during the Nighantu Kala. Further the naming of drugs, coining of synonyms to study the drugs came into existence. Again use of synonyms and problems in identification, led to the problems of Drug controversy. Presently Drug controversy, Adulteration, over exploitation, lack of conservation measures is some of the major problems.

The present Book "Text Book of Dravyaguna Vijnana Volume II" is compiled as per the latest syllabus of Dravyaguna for BAMS students by CCIM, New Delhi. The Dravyaparichaya has been given as per the points given in the syllabus. The Synonyms have been classified as per the nomenclature basis and explained. The Drug illustrations have been provided for all the detailed drugs. A quick glance table has been provided at the beginning of each dravya which helps students to get a quick recall of the drug during exams. The mode of action of drug has been explained wherever possible. The language has been kept simple for easy understanding of students. The aim of this Book is to give students of Dravyaguna, a ready reference guide as per the CCIM syllabus.

We are thankful to our parents for their love and support. We are thankful to all our Teachers, Colleagues and friends who have directly or indirectly helped us in the present work. We are thankful to all our students for showing their love and support.

This Book is dedicated to all our students. We sincerely hope that this book would help students in understanding the pharmacology of dravyas.

**Contents and Sample Pages**