International Journal of Advanced Science and Research

International Journal of Advanced Science and Research

ISSN: 2455-4227, Impact Factor: RJIF 5.12
www.allsciencejournal.com
Volume 1; Issue 8; August 2016; Page No. 04-07

Role of ayurvedic medicinal plants in ancient India

Sanjay Asthana, Swarn Lata Bansal
Dept. of Chemistry, D-A.V. (PG) College, Kanpur, Dept. of chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract
Ayurvedic herbs played important role in Ayurvedic treatment, from ancient time to this most modern time. Indian medicinal
plants are the essence of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic treatments. When used judicially and clocking with the basic principles they
produce miraculous effects. Their role cannot be confined to mere curative of disease but they are also used on human body.
Hence, Ayurvedic drugs rightly called the elixirs of life. Medicinal herbs show good result on disease cure. Ayurveda is the
medical or health care system in India, which uses this as treatment base with ‘Theoretical Principals’. We need to research many
things to find out the pharmacological action of it.

Keywords: Indian, Ancient, Ayurveda, Medicine, Treatment

,

1. Introduction great encyclopedias of medicine compiled from various

Indian medicinal plants are plants using in Ayurveda mainly sources from the 600-BC to about 500. Charaka samhita has
as medicinal purpose. Ayurvedic medicinal plants are gate mentioned about 341 plants while Shushrut samhita have
way miracles, if way of treatment and basic principles of is listed 760 medicinal plants. They are among the foundational
correct. Vata, pitta & kapha are the three elements which works of Ayurveda.
have definite properties to keep our body, mind and A number of drugs and surgical methods are developed by
everything normal. Ayurvedic medicinal plants have been ayurvedic practitioners for various ailments. Ayurveda
classified according to their properties like Rasa, Guna, stresses on a balance of three elemental energies or humors
Virya, Vipaka. This classification help us how to manage/ vata (air & space - "wind"), pitta (fire & water -"bile") and
work medicinal plants to cure diseases. Ayurveda says kapha (water & earth "phlegm"). According to ayurvedic
vitiation/abnormal increase in Vata, pitta & kapha are main medical theory, these three dosas are important for health,
cause of disease. Vitiation is due to increase or decrease of because when they exist in equal quantities, the body will be
similar properties. All the Dravya/ substance has properties healthy, and when they are not in equal amounts, the body
(guna), Vata, pitta & kapha have also similar properties. will be unhealthy.
Properties similar to Vata, pitta & kapha, do considerably Ayurveda stresses on the use of plant-based medicines and
increase in related Doshas, opposite properties decreases the treatments. Hundreds of plant-based medicines are employed
qualities of related Doshas. So proper identification of by ayurvedic practioners. Some animal products may also be
Ayurvedic medicinal plants is important in the field of used, like milk, bones and minerals including sulphur,
treatment. Medicinal plants used in South India & North arsenic, lead, copper sulphate. Some metals like gold, silver
India are different, even though Sanskrit names are similar, and mercury are also consumed as prescribed. Many
but they show same action. We have classified Ayurvedic ayurvedic herbs used for therapy have shown very promising
medicinal plants according to their synonyms which give results like turmeric and its derivative curcumin are very
exact idea or colourful pictures about medicinal plants. good antioxidants. Tinspora cordifolia has been tested for its
Susrutha has defined Ayurveda as a science in which the hepato- protective nature, Salvia officinalis (Common sage)
knowledge of life exists or which deals with the knowledge may improve Alzheimer’s patients. Many plants used as
or science of longevity. Dalhana, an authoritative rasayana (rejuvenation) medications are found potent
commentator of Susrutha, has clarified this definition, as antioxidants.
Ayus (life) is a combination of Sarira (body / soma), Indriyas
(sense organs), Sattva (manas / psychic) and Atma (soul / 2. Materials
spirit). Ayurveda is therefore a science in which knowledge Aurvedic Medicinal Plants used in Ancient as well as
of Sarira, Indriyas, Sattva (Mind) and Atma exists. Bramha Modern times
taught eternal science of Ayurveda to Daksa. There have no i) Withania somnifera
clear evidence for he created a ‘Prajapathe Samhita’, but in It is commonly known as Ashwagandha is an important
‘Bramha vaivarta Purana’, discussion about these, Samhita family Solanaceace known for rejuvenating properties, it is
have. There have no clear evidence in Ayurvedic Samhitas. also known as Indian Ginseng. It is a very important herb of
The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared ayurvedic indigenous medical system known for more than
during the Vedic period in India. All the Vedas-Rig, Yajur, 3000 years. It is a very small woody shrub native to drier
Sam, and Atharv have contributed to the development of parts of India.
Ayurveda. The Shushrut samhita and the charaka samhita are

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Fig 1
Fig 2
Chemical composition & isolation
The major constituents of Ashwagandha root are steroidal Chemical composition and isolation: From the stem of
alkaloids and steroidal lactones of a class of compounds Tinospora cordifolia alkaloid berberin, tinosporin and
known as withanolides. Near about 12 alkaloids and 35 palmitin are isolated while from roots, tinosporin and
withanolides have been isolated from the plant so far. The palmatine are isolated. From the whole plant, the
diterpenoiddal lactone tinosporide and tinosporon are
whole plant is used for the extraction of compounds. From
obtained. Beside these compounds giloin, gilonin and
leaves 9–steroidal lactones of withanolide series are tinosporic acid are also isolated from the whole plant of
extracted. Stem bark contains some withanolides while root Tinospora cordifolia.
contains few alkaloids, flavonolides and free amino acids.
Medicinal Properties: or giloya is widely used medicine in
Medicinal Properties: W. somnifera inhibits growth in ayurvedic system of medicine for its general tonic,
antiperiodic, anti-spasmodic, antiinflammatory,anti-
central nervous system, lung, and colon and breast cell illnes.
arthritic,anti-allergic and antidiabetic properties. The plant is
Extract of withania somnifera was found helpful in used in ayurvedic, "Rasayanas" to improve the immune
preventing tumour growth in cancer patients. Studies show system and the body resistance against infections. The root of
that ashwagandha possesses antiinflammatory, antistress, this plant is known for its ant-istress, anti-leprotic and anti-
antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hemopoetic, and malarial activities The stem is bitter, stomachic,
rejuvenating properties. It also appears to exert a positive diuretic,stimulates bile secretion, causes constipation, allays
influence on the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central thirst, enriches the blood and cures jaundice. The extract of
its stem is useful in skin problems. The root and stem of T.
nervous systems. Found effective in the treatment of osteo-
cordifolia are prescribed in combination with other drugs as
arthritis inflammation. According to the ayurvedic an anti-dote to snake bite and scorpion. Dry barks of T.
practioners in ashwagandha Rasa is tikta, Guna – snigdha, cordifolia has anti-spasmodic antipyretic, antiallergic, anti-
Veerya- ushna and Vipaka is madhura. It is helpful in kapha inflammatory and anti-leprotic properties.According to
and vata dosas, and very effective in controlling blood sugar ayurvedic practioners Rasa of the plant are –tikta, Virrya is
and cholesterol level. It improves overall health so given as heating and Vipaka is madhura . It is widely used for urinary
rejuvenating drug to the aged persons. complaints and rheumatism.

iii) Calotropis gigantea

ii) Tinospora cordifolia Calotropis gigantica is a plant of family Asclepidaceae
It belongs to the family Menispermaceae and is commonly
commonly called milk-weed or madder. It is found
known as giloiya, guduchi or amruta, the plant is commonly throughout the India in dry waste lands upto a height of
known as Giloya, which is a Hindu mythological term that 900m. Madar is a large hard much branched shrub, 3-4 feet in
refers to the heavenly elixir that have saved celestial beings height. The whole plant is used as medicine; it is covered
from old age and kept them eternally young. It is used in with soft white wool.
ayurvedic medicine from a long time (the traditional
Chemical composition and composition: Latex of the plant
medicine of India). It is a large, glabrous, deciduous climbing contains the cardiac glycosides, a complex mixture of
shrub. It is distributed throughout tropical Indian chemicals, some of which are steroidal heart poisons known
subcontinent, China, Pakistan and Srilanka, ascending to an as "cardiac aglycones. Calotropis contains some glycosides
altitude of 300 m. known as calotropin, calotoxin, calactin. Uscharidin and
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International Journal of Advanced Science and Research

voruscharin are the sugars with nitrogen and sulphur in their antithrombogenic, antiinflammatory, and anti hepato toxic,
structures. Lupeol is isolated from latex. Quercetin-3- antisnake venom, antipyretic and anti-cancer drug. It is used
rutinoside is identified in the roots, stem, leaves, flowers and to regulate high blood pressure but it is restricted for pregnant
latex. women. Andrographis balances pitta and kapha dosas, its rasa
is tikta guna is ruksha, veerya is ushna and vipaka iskatu.
Medicinal Properties: The whole plant is used as medicine;
its latex is used for the skin problems. In Ayurveda the madar v) Burn plant - Aloe vera
plant is used for asthma, bronchitis, dyspepsia, and swelling. Aloe vera (A. barbadensis) the best known member of the
Heated leaves are applied on the painful and swollen joints, it genus but other Aloe species used for medicine. These
relieves the pain due to arthritis. Powdered root bark of the A.barbadensis about 33 species of herbaceous perennials
plant is given to the patient suffering from jaundice, asthama native to India and North America. Its common name is
and bronchitis. It is used as febrifuge, anthelmintic, Aloe-vera. It is a widely used in ayurvedic medicines. It is
expectorant and antidote to snake bite. Its latex is used to widely used for thousands of years as treatments for various
induce abortion by folk people. skin diseases.

iv) Andrographis paniculata

A. paniculata is a shrub of family Acanthaceae. It grows in
most places in India, including the plains and hilly areas up to
500m. Native populations A.paniculata are spread throughout
south India and Sri Lanka which perhaps represent the centre
of origin and diversity of the species.Since the time
Andrographis paniculata or kalmegh is a popular Ayurvedic
remedy for the common cold, digestive issues and many
other illness.\

Fig 4

Chemical composition and isolation: Leaves of the plant

Aloe-vera contains the Chrysophanic acid also present -
possibly the compound with the greatest healing effect on
skin. It contains numerous compounds including several
anthraquinone glycosides collectively referred to as aloin.
Thick mucilaginous sap is isolated from Aloe leaves. They
provide soothing effect on injured skin.

Fig 3 Medicinal Properties: A.barbadensis is used in traditional

ayurvedic medicine as well as in tribal medicine in India for
Chemical compositionand isolation: It is a plant is known multiple clinical applications. Leaves of the herb A.
to possess a variety of pharmacological activities. barbadensis are used for Sap promotes faster healing with
Andrographolide bitter water –soluble bicyclic diterpenoid less scaring by stimulating cell growth. They Inhibits
lactone is the major constituent extracted from the leaves, bacterial and fungal infection.The plant sap inhibit pain,
beside this compound andrographine and many flavanoids are itching, and inflammation, antibiotic, antipyretic and anti-
also extracted from the root of the plant. Neoandrographolide inflammatory drugs. In recent years the cosmetic industry has
and Oxyandrographolide from whole plant have also been capitalized on the moisturizing effects of the sap and it can be
isolated found in a variety of skin creams, shampoos, sun screen
lotions, and bath oils etc.
Medicinal Properties: A. paniculata is used in traditional
ayurvedic and siddh systems of medicine as well as in tribal Some important medicinal plants
medicine in India and some other countries for multiple  Osmium- fever, cough-osmum
clinical applications. Leaves of the herb Andrographis  Foxglove - heart disease – digitalis
paniculata are used for ailments ranging from poor digestion  Willow bark tea - pain, fever – aspirin
to hepatitis. In the Chinese medical tradition, the plant has  Fever Bark Tree - malaria – quinine
been used to treat everything from gastrointestinal complaints  Snakeroot - hypertension - reserpine
to throat infections. The plant extract exhibits anti-typhoid,  Aloe - burns - various glycosides
anti-diabetic and antifungal activities. Kalmegh is also  Vinca - leukemia - vincristine
reported to possess, antibiotic, antimalarial,  Taxus - ovarian & breast cancer – taxol

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International Journal of Advanced Science and Research

 Often a fine line between a medicinal and toxic dose

 Common alkaloids: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine,
morphine, quinine, ephedrine

Physiological action of Aloe vera

 Also widespread in the plant kingdom and second in
importance as medicines.
 Have sugar molecule (glyco-) is attached to the active
component
 Active portion variable, sugar is glucose
 By the active component: cyanogenic glycosides.

4. Conclusion
It is necessary to make an ardent, systematic and organized
effort to preserve, propagate, collect, store and manufacture
these manufacture the chemical content of various ayurvedic
medic plants, according to prescribed methods only.
Fig 5 Therefore it is a very important work to clarify the main
active ingredients which can be extracted from medicinal
3. Results and Discussion plants. Moreover, their role in the treatment of present
The medicinal plants described here play a very useful role at diseases, and how they can be used to produce or synthesize
ancient as well as modern time. It is critical to use these more effective drugs.
plants and cultural knowledge before it is lost. Their inherent
therapeutic properties are fully manifested and utilized during 5. References
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effects upon the patient. Since the specific actions of these Curcumin: the Indian Solid Gold. Advances in
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these herbs to be used at any stage of the Panchakarma 2. Ernst E. A systematic review of systematic reviews of
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specific diseases, body constitution, etc. we suggested 2002; 54(6):577-82.
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 Same is true among native peoples everywhere includes Ghosh AC, Chemistry and medicinal properties of
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 Diverse effects with the most pronounced on the nervous Medicinal Plants (Central Drug Research Institute,
system Lucknow). 1993
 Can also have psychological effects 7. Sharma PV. Dravyaguna Vijnan. Chaukhamba Bharati
 Some medicinally important, some psychoactive, some Academy, Varanasi. 1995
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 Common alkaloids: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, New Delhi), 2000;
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 Both alkaloids also used for other types of cancer.

Physiological action of Tinospora cordifolia

 Can also have psychological effects
 Some medicinally important, some psychoactive, some
poisonous