Author Topic: History of Plant Science , History of Botany , Botanical Researches In India  (Read 18281 times)

Bhishma Kukreti

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Bhel Samhita: An Introduction

History of Botany in India in Kushana period 3
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –100
By: Bhishma Kukreti

Bhel Samhita is one important treatises of Sanskrit Samhita Ayurveda Period (100BC -400 BC) . Bhela Charya one of six disciples (others were Agnivesha, Jatukaran, Parasa, Hariat and Ksarapani) of Punarvasu Atreya .
  Barneli in his catalogue of manuscripts (10773) writes that Bhel Samhita was in palm leaf in Sanskrit but scripted in Telgu and was found in Tanjore palace library. Calcutta University first published in 1921 as volume IV of Journal of Department of Letters. ,
There are following chapters in Bhela Samhita –
Nidana Sthana
Vimana Sthana ,
Sharir Sthana
Indriya Sthana
Chikitsa Sthana
And
Siddhi Sthana
Bhel Samhita is very important work on Ayurveda and  the work was gone in hidden past due to one simple reason that it was not condensed as other works were condensed .
Bhel Samhita is also important for history of Botany in India purpose. In next chapter , the plants mentioned in Bhel Samhita will be discussed ,
The above notes were prepared based on about the book and preface /introductory notes in Book ‘Bhela Samhita’ by Dr. P.Shrinivasa Rao (1)
References
Rao, Dr. P., Shrinivasa, 2010, Bhel Samhita (Text with English Commentary) , Choukhmba Krishandas Academy

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Plants mentioned in Bhela Samhita (Important medicinal plants)

History of Botany in India in Kushana period- 4
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –101

By: Bhishma Kukreti

 Bhela Samhita is an Ayurveda Sanskrit Text as important as Charaka Samhita. As in most of Ayurveda Texts, Bhela Samhita also discusses the medicinal plants for preparing various medicines.  Ratha et all found that Bhela Samhita mentioned 286 plant species (1). Bhela mentioned 419 Sanskrit names for 296 Plant Species (1) in Bhela Samhita.
   Ratha et al offered valuable information of each plant and also numbers of time the plant used in Bhela Samhita.
 Bhela mentioned following plants more than 20 times (1)-
Plants (Bhela name) ------------ Botanical name ---------------------- Nos. cited
Vacha ----------------------------- Acorus calamus ------------------------ 23
Bilwa ------------------------------  Aegle marmelos -------------------------25
Satmuli ------------------------------  Asparagus recemosus ---------------  20
Danti -------------------------------- Baliospermum montanum -------------- 21
Musta -----------------------------  Cyperus  rotundus  -------------------------- 21
Madhuka, Yastimadhu ----------- Glycyrhiza glabra -------------------------  40
Dhanyam ----------------------    Oryza sativa ------------------------------     22
Tikta Rohini -------------------  Picorhiza kurroa --------------------------- 44
Pippali --------------------------  Piper longum ----------------------------    53
Rasna  -------------------------------- Pluchea lanceolata --------------------- 25
Vyala ------------------------------- Plumbago zeylanica -----------  ---------  34
Tila ------------------------------    Sesamum orientale ------------------------  20
Bala --------------------------    Sida cordifolia -----------------------------------  41
Aksa  --------------------------  Terminalia bellinica --------------------    20
Pathya ---------------------------  Terminilia chebula  ----------------------- 35
Amalkam -----------------------   Embilica officinalis --------------------    37
Draksha ---------------------- Vitis venifera --------------------------------  29
Sunthi --------------------------- Zingiber officinalis ------------------- 27
Ratha et al conform that still there are plants mentioned in Bhela Samhita those require botanical identification. .
References-
1-Ratha KK, Meher SK, Rao MM, An Enumeration and Review of Medicinal Plants mentioned in Bhela Samhita. J Drugs Res Ayurvedic Sci 2018;3(1):53-62
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Classification of Medicinal Plants in Bhela Samhita
Plant Science in Bhela Samhita – 3
History of Botany in India in Kushana period- 5
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –102

Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti

  Ayurveda literature in Sanskrit as Charaka, Parashara’s Vrikshveda, Harit Samhita and Nighantus classified plants by many types.
  Bhela Samhita classifies medicinal plants into ten groups  (1) as follows-
1-Dasamulam –Dasamulam means the combination of ten herbs (Bela,  Agnimantha ,Soyonaka, Patala, Gambhari, Brihati, Kantakari. Shalpani, Prishnaparni, Gokshura).
2-Trikatukam /Vyosakam  (mixer of dry Ginger, long pepper and Black pepper )
3-Triphala /Vara (Mixer of Amalaki, Bibhitaki, Haritaki
4-Pipplou
5-Phalini (related to fruits or fruits)
6- Mulani – Related to roots or roots
7-Karnjou
8- Chaturjata )four classes
 
References-
1-Ratha KK, Meher SK, Rao MM, An Enumeration and Review of Medicinal Plants mentioned in Bhela Samhita. J Drugs Res Ayurvedic Sci 2018;3(1):53-62
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Plant Physiology Aspects in Harita Samhita an Ayurveda text

Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 6
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –103

Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti

 Harita was one of disciple of Ayurveda Guru Atreya Punarvasu and contemporary of Charaka or Agnivesha. Ayurveda Acharya had six disciples whom Atreya taught Ayurveda and they were –Agnivesha (Charaka), Bhela/Bheda, Jatukarna, Parashara, Harita and Ksharpani (1).
 All the six disciples established Ayurveda schools or theories and created Ayurveda Samhita. Agnivesha ‘s Charaka Samhita became more popular among all  Samhita created by disciples of Acharya Atreya  Punarvasu .  It is said that age Harita also created a separate school Harita Samhita but the original Samhita is not available. However, there is a Harita Samhita of sixth to 7th Century based on same style as Charaka Samhita of Agnivesha (2). Umakant N Rabb states that Harita Samhita is written on conversion module as Charaka Samhita. The conversion is between Maharshi Atreya and Acharya Harita (2).
 Harita Samhita is divided into six books or parts (2 and 3) –
1-Prathamsthana
2-Dwitiyasthana
3-Chikitsasthana
4-Sutrasthana
5-Kalpasthana    
6-Sharirasthana
In following chapters of Prathamsthana, there are plant physiological aspects in Harita Samhita (Based on description of Dr Umakant N Rabb and Book index in Harita Samhita by Pandeya) –
10th Chapter deals with Sugarcane, its juices and guds jiggery etc.  And its medicinal values (Ikshuk varga)
11th Chapter deals with characteristics of rice water and its medical uses.(kanjika varga)
12th Chapter deals with characteristics of various types of Rice water or Rice gruel /extract at the time of rice cooking (Mand varga)
13th chapter deals with extract of various pulses as Yusha of Kulthi (horse gram) , Yusha of Udad, Yush of chana or grams, Moong Yusha etc.
14th chapter of Harita Samhita is about fat in various oil seeds as Tila, Erandi caster , sesame , mustard oil , coconut oil
15th chapter of Harita Samhita deals about characters of cereals (dhanya)
16th Chapter of Harita Samhita is all about properties of various vegetables (shak varga) –there are mentions of 27 vegetables in each sub chapter
17th Chapter of Harita Samhita deals with properties of different 15 fruits
23rd chapter deals with Annapana   (different cereals, pulses food and  methods of taking food or cereals (bhojan vidhi)
  The above description is clear that the Ayurveda scholars were well versed with plant physiology of Harita period (when Harita Samhita was created).
References-
1-Vidyalankar Atreya, 1960, Ayurveda ka Vrihat Itihas, Hindi Samiti, Banaras page 150
2-Dr. Umakant N Rabb,  THE HARIAT SAMHITA – A LITERAY VIEW OF ANCIENT AYURVEDA TEXT, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2019, Vol.4no 3 (2019) pages 43-50
3- Pandeya vaidya Jaymini , Harita Samhita (Sanskrit Mool va ‘Nirmala’ Hindi teeka) Chaukhmbha Vishwabharati . Varansi  (vishy Soochi (Subject Index )
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Plant Taxonomy (cereals, Pulses, oil seeds) in Harita Samhita (an Ayurveda text)
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 7
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –104
Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti
Taxonomy means the science of defining, naming, grouping the living organism (plants or animals)
 Harita Samhita an Ayurveda text mentioned following plant names (1)
Hindi Name of Pant in HS* -- Botanical name ------------------ Ref HS# (1)
Jiggery or sugar  making plant ---------------------------------------1 .10
  Ikshu ----------(sugarcane) ----------Saccharum officinarum --     1.10
Mand or water of cereal while cooking cereal------------------------- 1.11
Chaval ----------(Rice) --------------Oryza sativa ---------------------1.11
Jau ------------(barley) ----------- Hordeum vulgare ------------------1.11
Jowar --------- sorghum --------------Sorgum vulgare -----------------1.11
Genhu ----------Wheat -----------------Triticum aestivum -------------1.11
Kod varg Millets group Finger millet Eleusine coracana-----------  1.12
Kshudra anna(perhaps millets) -------------------------------------- 1.12
Pulse group in 1.13
Kulthi  (Horse gram)  -----------Macrtyloma uniflorum -----------1.13
Tuar arhar (pigeon pea)  ------ Cajanum cajan -------------------- 1.13
Moong (mung bean) -------------Vigna radiate --------------------- 1.13
Urad (black gram) ----------------Vigna mungo ------------------------ 1.13
Oil seeds or oil producing plants ----------------------------------     1.14
Til (sesame) ----------------------Sesamum indicum ---------------  1.14
Sarson ------ (mustard) ----------Brassica nigra ------------------------ 1.14
Alsi (flax) -------------------------Linum usitaissimum  --------------------  1.14
Erond (castor ) -------------------Ricinus communis ----------------------- 1.14
Kushumbha ----------------------Carthamus tinctorius ---------------  1.14
Kuranta (porcupine ) ---------------- Barleria prionitis ----------------1.14
Tiwas (kala palas) ----------------- Desmodium oojeinese -------------1.14
Achod  ---------------most probably –Achyranthes aspera --------------- 1.14
Narikel (Coconut) -------------------Cocos nucifera ----------------------1.14
Mahuwa -------------------------------Madhuca longifolia --------------- 1.14
Kakri (cucumber ) --------------Cocumis sativus -------------------------- 1.14
Kohra or Kohada (swamp weed) –Trichosanthes -------------------------- 1.14
Lasoda ------------------------------ Cordia dichotoma ----------------------1.14
Pilu (pilu) ---------------------------Salvadora persica ----------------------1.14
Salaparni (Sal) ------------------------Desmodium gangeticum -----          1.14
Tesu (Flame of forest ) ----------------Butea monosperma -------------------- 1.14
The 1.15 of Harita Samhita is devoted to describing Characteristics of – all the above cereals, pulses.
HS=Harita Samhita
# Chapters of HS
Book by Jaymini Pandeya was refereed for names of plants    
In Next chapter we shall discuss vegetables fruits mentioned in Harita Samhita
References:
1- Pandeya vaidya Jaymini , Harita Samhita (Sanskrit Mool va ‘Nirmala’ Hindi teeka) Chaukhmbha Vishwabharati . Varansi  (vishy Soochi (Subject Index )
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Vegetables mentioned in Harita Samhita (Ayurveda Text)

Plant Science in Harita Samhita -3
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 8
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –105

Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti

   The sixteenth chapter of  Prtaham Khand or Book  with characterisation of vegetable plants. Those plants are –
Hindi Name of Pant in HS* -- Botanical name ------------------ Ref HS# (1)-

Jiwanti  -------------------------- Laptadenia reticulata ------------------------------1.16
Chaulayi ------------Might be –Tinosopra cordifolia ------------------------ 1.16
Kasmarda (Kasundi) ---------------Cassia occidentalis
Jayanti --------------------------------- Sesbania sesban -------------------------- 1.16
Makoya (garden night shade ) ------- Solanum nigrum ------------------ 1.16
Vastuk or Bathua ---------------Chenopodium album -------------------------- 1.16
Chilli ?
Ketaki ----------------------Pandanus odoratissimus ----------------------------1.16
Methi(fenugreek) ----------Trigonella foenum graecum ------------------------1.16
Sarson –(Mustard) --------Brassica nigra ------------------------------1.16
Saunf (fennel) -------------Foeniculum vulgare ----------------------1.16
Kateli or Badi kateli ? Poisonos berry ? Splanum indicum -------------1.16
Kusumbhs (safflower) ---Carthemus   tinctorius -------------------------- 1.16
Changeri (---------- Oxalis corniculata ----------------------------------1.16
Kushmand (water melon )  -Benincasa hispida ------------------------- 1.16
Kukadu /kukaru -------------Terminalia fordinandiana -------------------- 1.16
Parval (pointed gourd or snake gourd) -----Trichosanthes dioica ---- 1.16
Tori (Sponge Gourd) ----Luffa cylindrica ---------------------------------1.16
Kakoda (Spiny gourd) ----------Momordica dioica ---------------------1.16
Kaduyi Tori Bitter sponge gourd ---------------------------------------1.16
Karela (bitter Gourd) –Momordica charantia ----------------------------1.16
Baingan (Brinjal) – Solanum melogena ---------------------------------1.16
Jimikand (elephant foot yam) ---Amorphophallus paeonifolius ------1.16
Amlika Kand (Air Potato) --------Dioscorea bulbifera ------------------ 1.16
Pyaj   (onion ) --------Alium Cepa) -----------------------------------------1.16
Alu (Ginger)  Pchyrhizus  erosus ------------------------------------------- 1.16
Ratalu ( purple yam) –Dioscorea alata ----------------------------------------- 1.16
Hastikand
Barahkand  --------------Dioscorea bulbifera ------------------

HS=Harita Samhita
# Chapters of HS
Book by Jaymini Pandeya was refereed for names of plants
References:
1- Pandeya vaidya Jaymini , Harita Samhita (Sanskrit Mool va ‘Nirmala’ Hindi teeka) Chaukhmbha Vishwabharati . Varansi  (vishy Soochi (Subject Index )
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Fruits mentioned in Harita Samhita (Ayurveda Text)
Plant Science in Harita Samhita 4
Plant Science in Ayurveda Samhitas – 9
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –106
Information Compiler: Bhishma Kukreti
The seventeenth chapter of Prathamsthanam of Harita Samhita (Ayurveda text) details about characteristics (especially qualities as medicine) of following fruits –
Hindi Name of Fruits in HS* -- Botanical name ------------------ Ref HS# (1)-
Am --------- (mango) ----------Mangifera indica –
Jamun (java Plum) ------------Syzygium cumini
Ber (Indian Jujube) ----------- Ziziphus mauritiana
Anar (pomegranate ) ----------- Punica granatum
Chiraunji --------------------- Buchanania lanzan
Bijoura (lemon) -------- - Citron Citrus medica
Nimbu (lemon ------------ Citrus limon
Narangi (orange) -------- Citrus reticulata
Imli (Tamarind) ------------  Tamrindus indica
Dakh (Grape) ---------------- Vitis vinifera
Nariyal (coconut) ------------Cocos nucifera
Kela (banana ) ---------  Musa acuminata
Kaitha (Wood Apple) ------- Fironia limonia
Khajur (date) ------------- Phoenix dactylifera
Supari (betle nut) --------Areca  catechu
Kattha (Khair ) ---------- Acacia catechu 
Pan  (betel) ------------------ Piper betel

HS=Harita Samhita
# Chapters of HS
Book by Jaymini Pandeya was refereed for names of plants
Description of plants in Harita Samhita to be continued …. Next chapter
References:
1- Pandeya Vaidya Jaymini , Harita Samhita (Sanskrit Mool va ‘Nirmala’ Hindi teeka) Chaukhmbha Vishwabharati . Varansi  (vishy Soochi (Subject Index )
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Medical Plants  mentioned in  Charaka Samhita

Plant Science in Charaka Samhita – 2
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –99 A 
By: Bhishma Kukreti
-
   Dr. Hreendran Nair told to press  on the occasion of  Indian Biodiversity  Congress that there are more than 500 plant varieties mentioned in Charaka Samhita.
   Karra et al, submitted more than 214 medical plant species .mentioned in Aushdhachatushka of Charaka Samhita.
    The total pants mentioned in Charaka Samhita will be submitted in Index of the subject in the last.  At this juncture,  it is better to offer plant families mentioned in Charaka Samhita –
 Plant families mentioned in Charaka Samhita (identified by Karra et al)-
Acanthaceae
Adiantaceae
Aizoaceae
Anacardiceae
Apiaceae
Apocynaceae
Arecaeceae
Asclepiadaceae
Astraceae
Bassellacy
Batulaceae
Berberideceae
Bignoniaceae
Bombacaceae
Burseraceae
Capparidaceae
Ceasalpinaceae   
Ceacalpiniaceae
Celastraceae 
Combrataceae
Convolvulaceae
Crucifereae
Cucurbitaceae
Cypreraceae
Dipterocarpaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Fabaceae
Gnetianaceae
Guttifereae
Iridaceae   
Labiateae
Lauraceae
Lecythidaceae
Liliaceae
Linaceae
Loganiaceae
Loranthaceae
Lythraceae
Malvaceeae 
Meliaceae
Menispermaceae
Mimosaceae
Moraceae
Moringaceae
Musaceae
Myrtaceae
Oleaceae
Oxalidaceae
Nyctaginaceae
Nymphaeaceae
Palmae
Papaveraceae
Pedaliaceae
Papilionaceae
Piperaceae
Plubaginaceae 
Poaceae
Punicaceae
Ranunculaceae
Rhamnaceae
Roasaceae
Rubiaceae
Rutaceae
Salicaceae
Salavadoraceae
Sapotaceae

Santalaceae 
Scorophulariaceae
Simaroubaceae
Scorphulariaceae
Solanaceae
Sterculaceae
Symplocaceae    
Tilliaceae
Thymelaceae
Typhaceae
Ulmaceae
Verbenaceae
Velerianaceae
Vitaceae
Zingiberacea
Zygophyllaceae
  Kushvaha and Joshi (3) identified  plants described in Mahakshya of Charaka Samhita found in Rajiv Gandhi South Campus , Mirzapur and those additional plant families are as under –
Amaranthacea 
Boraginaceae
Cleomaceae
Combretaceae
Lamiaceae
Scitaminaceae 
 References –
1-Karra Nishteshwar, Sushma Bhuwad, ‘Identification of Herbs of Charakasamhita delineated in Aushdhachatushka (Quadrate on drugs), Annals Ayurvedic Med 2015:4 (1-2) 33-6
2- Display of plants mentioned in Charaka Samhita, The New Indian Express (Thiruvananthapuram edition) 22nd December 2010.
3-Kushvaha Ashwini Kumar, Vinod Kumar Joshi, Identification of Plants described in Mahakshya of Charaka Samhita found in Rajiv Gandhi South Campus , Barkaccha, Mirzapur, Int J Ayu Pharam Chem , 2019 Vol.10 issue 1 .

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Plant Classification (Plant Taxonomy)  in Charaka Samhita

Plant Science in Charaka Samhita – 3
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –99 B 

By: Bhishma Kukreti 

  Charaka Samhita classified plants according to physical appearances and as per their values in herbal medicines.  In Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 1.36.37, there is following types of plant classification (1 and 2)-   
  1-Vanaspatis-Trees those bear fruits without flowers 
2-Vanaspatyas –The trees those bear first flowers and then fruits
 3-Virudhas – The herbs with spreading stem
 Virudhas are further divided into two classes
3A-Lata or creepers
3B- Gulma – with succulent stem and shrubs 
 Charaka Samhita also classifies plants as per withering –
Oushadhis   – Those Wither after maturity , Oushadhis are of two types perennial and annual.
References -
1-Mishra Sampadananda,  Principles of Plant taxonomy in   New Perspectives in Indian Science and Civilization Edited by Mukund Paranjpe) ,  Routledge NY (20120)
2-Bhatacharjee, Sankar; Mrinal Kant Bhattacharya , ‘Knowledge of taxonomy , Anatomy and Physiology of Plants in Some Sanskrit Texts of Ancient India , 2nd World Congress on Vedic Science , 9-11 Feb 2007, pp 333

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Plant Classification in Charaka Samhita to be continued ..

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Plant Classification based on Habitat in Charaka Samhita

Plant Science in Charaka Samhita – 4
BOTANY History of Indian Subcontinent –99C 

By: Bhishma Kukreti

  Bhattacharya   informs that Vrikshayurveda by Parashara (1.2-3-17)   classify plants bases on habitat as follows (1) –
Jangala
Anupa
And
Mishra
  Charaka Samhita (6-9) divided plant as per  habitats in following manner-
Jangala (dry and desert place plants) – The plants of this class were mentioned as-Kaclira, Asana, Dhava , Tinisa, Sllaki etc 
Anupa (marshy or watery region) –plants were mentioned as Hintala, kadli, Tamala and Bamboo etc.
Sadharana (common or mixed vegetation region) – The land is fertile and there were various types of trees, shrubs and plants including creepers and underground plants.

References -
2-Bhatacharjee, Sankar; Mrinal Kant Bhattacharya , ‘Knowledge of taxonomy , Anatomy and Physiology of Plants in Some Sanskrit Texts of Ancient India , 2nd World Congress on Vedic Science , 9-11 Feb 2007, pp 333
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Plant Classification in Charaka Samhita to be continued …



 

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