A LITERARY SURVEY OF AUSHADHA AND AHARA DRAVYA VARGAS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BRIHATTRAYI

Abstract

Ayurveda gives immense importance in prevention of diseases along with maintainance of health. This life science recommends’ Dravya (Medicinal Substance/Drug) as the most important tool in treatment and considers it as one among the Chikitsa Chatushpaada (4 limbs for treatment). The Dravyas present in the universe can be considered as Ahara (Food) and Aushadha (Medicine). Ahara is the most essential component of life both in healthy as well as diseased state. Improper intake of Ahara can cause illness and the management of diseases can be done with the help of Aushadhis. To understand the wide distribution of Dravyas, all the Acharyas (Scholars) including Brihattrayis (The Greater Trio) has explained and classified both the Ahara and Aushadha Dravyas in an easy and understandable manner. Dravyaguna Vijnana (Ayurvedic Pharmacology) is a section of Ayurveda which mainly deals with Guna (properties), Karma (action) and Prayoga (Therapeutic effects) of various Dravyas and the general principles of Ayurvedic pharmacognosy and pharmacology is included in it for the better management of disease. One cannot treat a disease simply by knowing the Nama (Name) and Rupa (Morphology) of Aushadhas alone. A wise physician should take into account about the properties of Aushadha and Ahara Dravyas along with Roga-Rogi Pariksha Vidhi (Methods of Examination of Disease as well as the Patient) while giving medicine. So an Ajna Vaidya (Ignorant physician) who is not having proper knowledge of Dravyas can’t treat a patient successfully. In this review article, an approach is made to understand the grouping of drugs under different Vargas by the Brihattrayis based on various aspects.