International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Mini Review Open Access

Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-

leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda
Abstract Volume 11 Issue 5 - 2018

Traditional knowledge is vital for sustainability of natural resources including

Shubhashree MN, Shiddamallayya Matapathi,
medicinal plants. Biodiversity conservation can be learnt from the context-specific
local knowledge and intergenerational transmission of knowledge, skills and strategies,
Amit Kumar Dixit
Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Metabolic disorders,
concern for well-being of future generations. Vrikshayurveda deals with various tree
India
and plant species and ensure the healthy growth and productivity. The ancient text
consists of about 170 different plant species including herbs, shrubs and trees. The Correspondence: Shubhashree MN, Research Officer (S-2),
different chapters of Vrikshayurveda deal with agri horticulture, home gardening, Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Metabolic disorders
intercropping and storage etc. This paper intends to understand the traditional (RARIMD), Govt .Central Pharmacy Annexe, Near Ashoka Pillar,
knowledge on biodiversity, particularly in the light of contemporary research on Jayanagar, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Tel 9448016968,
traditional and formal knowledge systems and demonstrate the value of traditional Email [email protected]
knowledge for biodiversity conservation with special reference to medicinal plants.
Received: April 20, 2018 | Published: October 10, 2018
Keywords: traditional conservation, medicinal plants, vrikshayurveda, kunapajala

Introduction faunal diversity that have been conserved by local communities

in a sustainable manner. They are present in Himachal Pradesh,
Today, when people throughout the world are disturbed by the Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, and other places and highlight
degradation of the environment and the disastrous consequences of community managed conservation efforts.1 Historically, the protection
this, traditional ethics of nature conservation could be looked upon as of nature and wildlife was an ardent article of faith, reflected in the
a source of inspiration and guidance for the future. daily lives of people, enshrined in myths, folklore, religion, arts,
The traditions can be classified as and culture. Such traditional cultural attitudes, though based on
religious faith, have made significant contribution in the protection
1. Religious traditions: temple forests, monastery forests, and propagation of various species of trees and plants in India. Ex-
sanctified and deified trees Use of bael in summer associated with Ramanavami celebration,
2. Traditional tribal traditions: sacred forests, sacred groves and Durva for Lord Ganesha, Parijatha plant for Lord Krishna, Bilwa
sacred trees for Lord Ishwara and so on. For the people of India, environmental
conservation is not a new concept. Sustainability was ingrained in the
3. Royal traditions: royal hunting preserves, elephant forests, thought processes of early Indians as evident from the teachings of
royal gardens etc. Vedas. Perhaps no other culture can provide such a profound variety
of cultural practices and ecologically sound relationship with nature as
4. Livelihood traditions: forests and groves serving as cultural
the Indian. For eg: a hymn in Atharva Veda (12.1.35) says “Whatever
and social space and source of livelihood products and services
I dig out from you, O Earth! May that have quick regeneration again,
For instance, “Sacred groves’ were dedicated to a deity or a village may we not damage thy vital habitat and heart.2 Implicit here are the
God, protected, and worshipped like Devarakaadu near Shimoga, following principles: In the process of harvest no damage should be
India. The Sacred Groves are important repositories of floral and done to the earth, Humans are forewarned not against the use of nature
for survival, but against the overuse and abuse.
The practice of allocating tree species to individuals based on lunar asterism like nakshatra vana, navagraha vrukshas was also prevalent.
Nakshatravana, Rashivana and Navagraha Vrukshas are other effective ideas to protect trees and environment. There has been a practice of
allocating tree species to individuals based on lunar asterism under which they are born (birth star trees or Nakshatravanam) under this, all
individuals are expected to take care of their birth star trees.3 They are

Nakshatra vanam plants

Sl. No Scientific name family Nakshatram Family

Strychnos nux-vomica Ashwini Loganiaceae

Phyllanthus emblica( Emblica officinalis) Bharani Phyllanthaceae

Ficus racemosa Kruttica Moraceae

Syzygium cumini Rohini Myrtaceae

Acacia chundra Mrugasira Fabaceae

Gmelina arborea Aardra Verbinaceae

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com Int J Complement Alt Med. 2018;11(5):275‒279. 275

© 2018 Shubhashree et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.
 Copyright:
Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda ©2018 Shubhashree et al. 276

Table Continued....

Sl. No Scientific name family Nakshatram Family

Bambusa bambos Punarvasu Poaceae

Ficus religiosa Pushyami Moraceae

Mesua ferrea Ashlesha Calophyllaceae

Ficus benghalensis Makha Moraceae

Butea monosperma Purva Palguni Fabaceae

Ficus virens Uttara Palguni Moraceae

Spondias pinnata Hasta Anacardiaceae

Aegle marmelos Chitta Rutaceae

Terminalia arjuna Swathi Combretaceae

Mimusops elengi Anuradha Sapotaceae

Symplocos cochinchinensis Jyestha Symplocaceae

Canarium strictum Mula Burseraceae

Barringtonia racemosa Purvashada Lecythidaceae

Artocarpus heterophyllus Uttarashada Moraceae

Calotropis gigantea Sravana Apocynaceae

Prosopis cineraria Dhanista Fabaceae

Neolamarckia cadamba Shatabisham Rubiaceae

Flacourtia indica Vishaka Salicaceae

Mangifera indica Purvabhadra Anacardiaceae

Azadirachta indica Uttarabhadra Meliaceae

Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia (Syn.M. indica) Revathi Sapotaceae

Mythology also has been useful in cultivating certain plants that mentions that one who grows Tulsi at home will be residing in Vaikunta
needed extra care. Socio-culturally valued species find place in home (Heaven) for 1000 years. It is also said that one who plants neem and
gardens and courtyards For example, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) a mango trees on roadsides would be attain liberation. Probably, these
highly valued medicinal plant is grown, in every household in centre are counted as motivational factors for plant preservation based on
of the courtyard and ritually watered even today. Vrikshayurveda mythology.4
Navagraha Vruksha3

Arka Plant/Milkweed Plant Calotropis procera (Sun) Surya

Palasha Plant / Flame-of-the-forest Tree Butea monosperma (Moon) Chandra
Khadira Acacia catechu (Mars) Kuja
Apamarga Achyranthes aspera Mercury Budha
Durva Cynodon dactylon North Dode Rahu
Ashwattha Ficus religiosa Jupiter Guru
Kusa (Dharbe) Eragrostis cynosuroides South Dode Ketu
Audumbara Ficus glomerata Venus Shukra
Shami Prosopis cineraria Saturn Shani

Several trees and shrubs were regarded as sacred because of their proximity to a particular deity ex- Doorva for Ganesha, Parijatha for
medicinal/aesthetic/natural qualities as well as some because of their Lord Krishna, Bilwa for Lord Ishwara and so on.
Rashivana3

Sl.No Zodiac sign Botanical name Common name

Aries(Mesha) Pterocarpus santalinus Red Sandalwood

Taurus (Vrishabha) Alstonia scholaris Sapthaparni

Citation: Shubhashree MN, Matapathi S, Dixit AK. Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda. Int J
Complement Alt Med. 2018;11(5):275‒279. DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2018.11.00412
 Copyright:
Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda ©2018 Shubhashree et al. 277

Table Continued....

Sl.No Zodiac sign Botanical name Common name

Gemini (Mithuna) Artocarpus heterophyllus Jack fruit tree

Cancer (Karkataka) Butea monosperma Palasha

Leo (Simha) Stereospermum chelonoides Kaligottu

Virgo(Kanya) Mangifera indica Mango

Libra(Tula) Mimusops elengi Pogada

Scorpio (Vruschika) Acacia catechu Khadira

Sagittarius (Dhanu) Ficus religiosa Peepal

Capricorn (Makara) Dalbergia sissoo Shisham

Aquarius (Kumbha) Prosopis cineraria Shami

Pisces (Meena) Ficus benghalensis Banyan

Preservation principles in ancient texts & Unani (ASU) literatures viz. Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita,
Bhavaprakasha, Sharangadhara Samhita etc5.Science of Ayurveda
Soil suitable for the cultivation and collection of drugs, proper advocates Sharad Ritu (i.e. October and November) as the best season
identification, period of collection, seasons for collection, parts used, for the harvesting of herbs for therapeutic purpose.6
preservation methods etc. have been detailed in Ayurveda Siddha

Part of the plant specified for therapeutic use Harvesting season

Flowers Spring

Fruits Spring

Roots Summer or in the late winter

Leaves and spring (early summer) Rainy season and spring (early summer)

Branches Rainy season

Bark Early winter

Stem Early winter

Latex Early winter

Harvesting in general Early winter

Relevance of Vrikshayurveda broken branch to protect the whole tree from dying. Use of powders
of Solanum indicum, Sesamum indicum, Embelia ribes and Brassica
Recognizing the significance of plant bio- resources of varied juncea, milk, ghee and cow dung has been mentioned in almost all
values in ancient India, emphasis has been laid on conservation the texts for protection during storage.8 In addition to pre treatments
of flora. Ancient texts contain many descriptions of the uses and applicable to all seeds in general, treatments specific to specific plants
management of forests and highlight sustainability as an implicit also have been described. Various seed priming processes have been
theme. Treatise called Vrikshayurveda mentions in depth about carefully designed in Vrikshayurveda to allow early germination, to
the plants, its importance, diseases suffered by them, treatment, obtain good quality of seedlings by following the classical techniques.
protection from external factors, increasing the yield , conservation A study conducted to compare the effects of Vrikshayurveda & Modern
techniques like protection of plants from mist, pests etc. Chemical cultivation techniques on germination of Bakuchi has revalidated
fertilizers show dramatic short-term benefits, but in the longer run they the germination behaviour of dormant seeds of Psoralia corylifolia.9
adversely impact the soil, water and perhaps the nutritional quality of The chapter “Citrikarana” depicts some astounding techniques
the plants.7 Hence there is great scope to integrate traditional practices such as to make a plant bloom throughout the year irrespective of
for better productivity of quality planting materials the seasons, bring forth premature maturity to plants and fruits, and
The second chapter “Bijoptivithi” illustrated about the process change the shape and form of trees. For nourishment of plants, use of
of seed germination and explains about grading and preservation a biofertilizer called ‘Kunapajala’ has been mentioned.
of seeds. The methods described for seed preservation is to mix the
Kunapajala as organic manure
seeds with ashes and it was also suggested that the seeds should be
exposed to the medicated smoke which can serve as an antimicrobial Kunapajala is a natural organic product derived from animal and
agent. Fertilizers are prescribed for undeveloped and underdeveloped plant products containing a significant quantity of one or more of the
trees and plants. Drumaraksa is the chapter deals with several advices primary nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium which
to save plants and trees from the weather and other conditions like are necessary for plant growth. The literary meaning of the Sanskrit
winds and storms. It also tells about the medicinal plants used on the word Kunapa is “smelling like a dead or stinking” and the name is

Citation: Shubhashree MN, Matapathi S, Dixit AK. Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda. Int J
Complement Alt Med. 2018;11(5):275‒279. DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2018.11.00412
 Copyright:
Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda ©2018 Shubhashree et al. 278

apt for the liquid manure which is prepared using excreta, bones agricultural practices.8 As a result of their experiments, as well as that
,body, flesh and marrow of animals, fish, decayed plant products etc. of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, using the modern research
Kunapajala has some plant growth regulatory actions through which procedures, it has been proved that the traditional knowledge is valid
it enhances the overall growth of plants. Being a liquid biofertilizer beyond doubt.
it is a more suitable form of manure and can be beneficial in growth
of medicinal plants with probably minimal toxic effects on human Conclusion
body when compared to chemical fertilizer. Usually the raw organic The use of pañcagavyam, kuṇapajala and other procedures
matter decomposes into humus which will be further digested by soil mentioned in the various texts can be studied further for efficacy and
microbes producing high levels of organic acids like humic, carbonic if found to be suitable can be adopted for the various steps involved
and fulvic acids and increases high cation (+) exchange capacity. This in development of organic nursery protocol for medicinal plants. A
capacity is responsible for the mobilization of calcium, potassium majority of the raw materials used in these procedures are by-products
and other plant nutrients. In order to obtain good results aerobic obtained from other activities and are easily available around us. The
composting is said to be beneficial. procedures are easy and economical too, which is an added advantage.
The nitrogen which is very essential for plant growth is Many of the raw materials listed in the Vrikshayurveda texts, such as
supplemented by blood, cottonseed, fish meal and emulsion etc, flesh and bone of animals, husk, oil cakes, dung and urine of cattle,
whereas compost from bird manures, bone meal etc are rich source etc., are waste products and reutilization and recycling of these
of Phosphorus and Potassium which helps in regulating root, bud, products will also result in their effective waste management. With
flower and fruit formation, cell division, sugar formation in the sap, the help of ancient texts and model methods of agriculture we can
chlorophyll production and photosynthesis, increasing crop resistance not only scientifically prove the sayings of the text but we could also
to diseases etc. The other important micronutrients are Magnesium, establish some novel modified methods for the agricultural systems.
Calcium, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Iron, and Selenium which are The proper interpretation and availability of Vrikshayurveda can also
also supplemented by the organic compost Kunapajala.10 Researchers play an important role in the field of intercropping and put forward
suggest that application of the principles of Vrikshayurveda like for the use of organic fertilizers and can play a crucial role to build
Kunapajala does produce phenomenal and interesting results. Since the eco friendly environment. An attempt has been made to compile
few research works have been carried out, this discipline of science the traditional methods of conservation and preservation of medicinal
needs to be developed through concerted research efforts to ascertain plants. It is hoped that the ancient wisdom coupled with modern
its utility. technology would benefit the mankind.

Advantages of organic farming Acknowledgements

Though, chemical fertilizers increase the yield, they pose certain None.
serious health threats to human beings especially infants, pregnant
and nursing mothers.11 Another concern for health is contamination of Conflict of interest
medicinal plants with toxic heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium,
Author declares there is no conflict of interest towards the
etc., through fertilizers, harmful industrial wastes contaminating the
manuscript.
water sources etc. In contrast, organic manures are considered to
be safe and yielding good produce by improving water penetration, References
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Citation: Shubhashree MN, Matapathi S, Dixit AK. Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda. Int J
Complement Alt Med. 2018;11(5):275‒279. DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2018.11.00412
 Copyright:
Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda ©2018 Shubhashree et al. 279

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Citation: Shubhashree MN, Matapathi S, Dixit AK. Conservation and preservation of medicinal plants-leads from Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda. Int J
Complement Alt Med. 2018;11(5):275‒279. DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2018.11.00412