MEDICINAL PLANTS IN VRIKHAYURVEDA..By D.R P.G.LATHA

1. MEDICINAL PLANTS DESCRIBED IN VRIKSHAYURVEDA
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ANTIMICROBIAL,
ANTIFUNGAL, WOUND HEALING, DISINFECTANT,
ANTHELMINTIC, PESTICIDE AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION
POTENTIAL PLANT SPECIES
Dr. P. G. Latha
Director
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI)
Palode, Thiruvananthapuram - 695562, Kerala.

2. VRIKSHAYURVEDA
• Vrikshayurveda was mentioned for the first time in Kautilya's Arthaśāstra
• Vrikshayurveda” means ‘vrikshasya ayurveda’ ie, taruchikitsadi shasthra or the
science of plants
• Details regarding use of plants or plant parts as medicine, their properties, their
morphological descriptions, etc., have been mentioned in ancient texts such as
the Ṛigveda, Atharvaveda, Charaka Samhita, Suśruta Samhita, Mahābhārata etc.
• Vrikshayurveda deals an ancient science of plant life. It means Ayurveda of plants and
dealing with every aspect related to the life of plants.

3. ANTI-MICROBIAL: Any substance of natural or synthetic origin that kills
or inhibits the growth of microorganisms
ANTIFUNGAL: Substance that kills fungi or inhibits their growth or
reproduction.
WOUND HEALING: Tissue reconstitution process by which the body
replenishes cells that are being lost.
DISINFECTANT: That kills all microorganisms but not necessarily
their spores.
FEW SELECTED PROPERTIES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
DESCRIBED IN VRIKSHAYURVEDA

4. • ANTHELMINTIC: An agent destructive to worms
• PESTICIDES: Chemical or biological substance to kill or retard the
growth of pests that causes damage
• CARBON SEQUESTRATION: Using plants to capture CO2 from the
atmosphere and then storing it as carbon in the stems
and roots of the plants as well as in the soil.

5. • WHO listed out 30,000 plant species used in different traditional systems of
medicine.
• Medicinal plants used in Indian systems of medicine
• Local Health Tradition (including folk/tribal medicine)- 8000
• Modern Medicine at Global level – 90 (S.Rajasekharan, 2002)
MEDICINAL PLANTS
Sl.
N
o
.
Name of the system Total number of plants mentioned
1 *Ayurveda 900
2 *Siddha 800
3 *Unani 700
4 *Amchi 300
5 Folk medicine / Tribal medicine 8000
6 Modern medicine 90

6. Medicinal Plants used in Ayurveda
* Roughly about 50% of medicinal plants mentioned in this system of medicine are common to all four systems.
Atharva Veda More than 289 plants
Samhithas (Charaka, Susrutha &
Astangahridaya)
1900- out of which 670 are common
Arthasasthra/Kautilya 330
Nighandus (based on 17 lexicographic works) 150-400 new additions
Hortus Malabaricus 784
Regional text books 100-150 new additions
Dravyaguna vignana (P.V.Sharma) 35

7. Medicinal plants are one of the important
components of biodiversity

8. • Bhoomi niroopanam (identification and classification of soil conservation
technique)
• Beejopti vidhi (sowing techniques)
• Padapa vipaksha (method of propagation)
• Ropana vidhanam (plantation technique)
• Nishechana vidhi (irrigation technique)
• Poshana vidhi (special nutritional care and management of plants
with various biotechnological means)
• Druma reksha (conservation practices )
• Taru chikitsa (treatment with biomedicine)
• Nivasa sanna tharu subha- asubha lakshanam (selection of plants for planting
near the residence based on their good/bad qualities.)
• Tarumahima (glory of trees – awareness programme)
• Upavanakriya (landscaping and gardening )
• Chithreekaranam (research on plant biotechnology)
Major subjects brought under Vrikshayurveda include

9. •Several attempts have been made by Vrikshayurvedic experts in the field of
plant biotechnology and they have developed number of new techniques related
to :-
1. Aroma inducing techniques – in which they demonstrated how to
introduce scent in unscented flowers
2. Colour inducing techniques – in which they demonstrated how to change
the colour in cotton plants
3. Floral techniques – in which they demonstrated the methods of inducing
flowering of a plant throughout the year/out of season
4. Production techniques – seedless fruit production technology
5. Fruits preservation techniques
6. Fast propagation techniques
7. Biotechnological application for the conservation of the plant species
8. Plant altering/hybridization techniques
9. Improved fruit production techniques
10.Taste altering techniques of fruits
VRIKSHAYURVEDAAND ENVIRONMENT

10. Anti fungal
 Embelia ribes Burm.f.
 Azadirachta indica A.Juss.
 Terminalia chebula Retz.
 Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa
 Gmelia arborea Roxb.
 Acorus calamus L.
 Alstonia scholaris (L.)R.Br
 Cassia fistula L.
 Mimusops elengi L.
 Vitex negundo L.
 Alpinia calcarata (Haw.)
Roscoe
 Santalum album L.
 Pongamia pinnata(L.)Pierre
SOME SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS DESCRIBED IN
VRIKSHAYURVEDA

11. Anti microbial
 Calotropis gigantea R.Br.
 Cyperus rotundus L.
 Embelia ribes Burm.f
 Asparagus racemosus Willd.
 Terminalia chebula Retz.
 Phyllanthus emblica L.
 Terminalia bellerica
(Gaertn) Roxb
 Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa
 Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f.
 Mesua ferrea L.
 Piper logum L.
 Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent.
 Sterospermum chalanoides
(L.f.) Dc.
 Sessamum indicum L.
 Acorus calamus L.
 Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br
 Cassia fistula L.
 Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels
 Mimusopes elengi L.
 Santalum album L.
 Alangium salviifolium (L.f).
Wang.

12. Disinfectant
 Asparagus racemosus Willd.
 Magnolia champaka (L.) n Baill.ex Pierre
Wound healing
 Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br
 Hordeum vulgare L.
 Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wang
 Magnolia champaka (L.) Baill. ex Pierre
 Commiphora mukul (Hook. ex Stocks)
engl
 Cyperus rotundus L.
 Ficus benghalensis L.

13. Anthelmintic
 Embelia ribes Burm.f.
 Terminalia chebula Retz.
 Clerodendrum phlomoides L.f.
Pesticides
 Acorus calamus L.
 Azadirachta indica A.Juss.
 Nerium indicum Mill.

14. Carbon Sequestration Potential
 Terminalia chebula Retz.
 Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn) Roxb
 Azadirachta indica A.Juss
 Embelia ribes Burm.f.
 Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa
 Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent.

15. Sanskrit name -Vidanga
Local name - Vizhal
Botanical name - Embelia ribes
Important Phytochemicals-
Embelin 3, embelinol, embeliaribyl ester, embeliol4 , Vilangin
Pharmacological Properties
Embelia ribes Burm. F.
Analgesic Antitumor Anticancer
Antiproliferative Antidiabetic Antifungal
Antimicrobial Anthelmintic Antidepressant
Cardioprotective Neuroprotective Antifertility

16. Sanskrit name - Nimbi
Local name - Veppu
Botanical name - Azadirachta indica
Important Phytochemicals
Nimbidin, Nimbin, Nimbolide, Gedunin, Azadirachtin,
Gallic acid (–) epicatechin, and catechin etc
Pharmacological activities
Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
Anti-inflammatory Bio-pesticide Anticancer
Antiarthritic Antimicrobial Hepatoprotective
Antipyretic Antiviral activity Analgesic
Antigastric ulcer Antimalarial Antioxidant

17. Sanskrit name - Sathavari
Local name - Sathavari
Botanical name - Asparagus racemosus
Important Phytochemicals
Saponins (Shatavarins I-IV), Isoflavones,
Racemosol, Polysaccharides, mucilage, kaempferol,
quercetin, and rutin etc.
Pharmacological activities
Asparagus racemosus Willd.
Aphrodisiac Bronchitis Stomachic
Antiinflammatory Antimicrobial Hepatoprotective
Neuropathy Hyperacidity Antiseptic
Rejuvenating Dyspepsia Infectious diseases

18. Sanskrit name - Hareetaki
Local name - Kadukka
Botanical name - Terminalia chebula
Important phytochemicals
Chebulic acid, Chebulinic acid, Chebulagic
acid, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, anthraquinones,
Terpinenols etc.
Pharmacological activies
Terminalia chebula Retz.
Antibacterial Anthelmintic Anti-ulcerogenic
Antifungal Antimicrobial Hepatoprotective
immunomodulatory Antiviral Cardioprotective
Anticarcinogenic Antidiabetic Carbon
Sequestration

19. Sanskrit name - Amalaki
Local name - Nellika
Botanical name - Phyllanthus emblica
Important Phytochemicals
Quercetin, zeatin, zeatin nucleotide,
chebulic acid, gallic acid, gluco-gallin, ethyl
gallate, ellagic acid, Giberellin,
leucodelphinidin, rutin, b-sitosterol etc.
Pharmacologial activity
Phyllanthus emblica L.
Anti-inflammatory Immunomodulatory Antipyretic
Analgesic Antimicrobial Antioxidative
Antiviral Carbon Sequestration Cardioprotective
Antibacterial Antiplasmodic Antispermatogenic

20. Sanskrit name - Vibhitaki
Local name - Thanni
Botanical name - Terminalia bellirica
Properties
Chemical
ß- sitosterol, Gallic acid, ellagic acid,
ethyl gallate, galloyl glucose and
chebulaginic acid.
Pharmacological Acivities
Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.
Antimicrobial Antibacterial Anticancer
Carbon Sequestration Analgesic Antioxidative
Antidiabetic Hepatoprotective Antihypertensive
Antioxidant Antidiarrheal

21. Sanskrit name - Vilvam
Local name - Koovalam
Botanical name -Aegle marmelos
Important Phytochemical
Alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Terpenoids, Saponins,
Tannins, Flavonoids and Steroids Phenolic etc.
Pharmacological Activities
Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa
Cardioprotective Antidiabetic Antidiarrhoeal
Antifungal Anti dysenteric Antiproliferative
Hepatoprotective Anticancer Antimicrobial
Analgesic Antiarthritis Radioprotective

22. Sanskrit name - Shyonaka
Local name -Palakappayani
Botanical name - Oroxylum indicum
Important Phytochemicals
Chrysin-7-O-glucuronide, Chrysin-7-O-
Glucuronide, Chrysin-diglucoside,
Baicalein, Anthraquinone, Aloe-emodine.
Tannic acid, Sitosterol etc.
Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent.
Pharmacological activities
Antioxidant Antibacterial Antiproliferative
Antiinflammatory Antiarthritic Antioxidative
Antiulcer Anti-microbial Antimutagenic
Antimicrobial Anticancer Immunostimulant

23. Sanskrit name - Ghambhari
Local name - Kumbil
Botanical name - Gmelina arborea
Important Phytochemicals
1,8-cineole , Butyl butyrate , Ethyl hexanoate,(E)-b-ocimene, 2-methylbutyl
Butyrate, hexyl butyrate, (E)-2-octenal,ethyl octanoate tricosane , 1-tricosene ,
octadecanal , tetracosane ,tetracosene , 9-tetracosene , nonadecanal and
heptadecano.
Pharmacological Activities
Gmelina arborea Roxb.
Anti-inflammatory Antinociceptive Antioxidant
Anti-hyperlipidemic Antifungal Antipyretic
analgesic Cardio protective Diuretic

24. Sanskrit name - Sarshapa
Local name - Kduku
Botanical name - Brassica juncea
Important Phytochemicals
β-Sitosterol, glucosinolates, flavonoids,
vitamins, β-carotene, α-tocopherol,
indoles, glucosinolates, ascorbate, etc.
Pharmacological activities
Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.
Hepatoprotectivity Antimicrobial Activity Aperitif
Diuretic Emetic Rubefacient
Stimulant Arthritic Wound Healing
Rheumatism Antisyphilitic Stomach Disorders

25. Sanskrit name - Tila
Local name - Ellu
Botanical name - Sessamum indicum
Important Phytochemicals
Cystine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine,
phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan,tyrosine, valine, a- and
J.3-globulins, p-aminobenzoic acid, ascorbic acid,
biotin,choline etc
Sesamum indicum L.
Radical Scavenging
Activity
Antioxidant activity Antimicrobial
Antibacterial Antimicrobial Wound Healing
Pharmacological Activities

26. Sanskrit name - Vacha
Local name -Vayambu
Botanical name - Acorus calamus
Important Phytochemicals
Calamenone, α-pinene, Calamine and Calamol,
Azulene, Isoeugenol and camphor, Palmitic and,
Eugenol, Calamenol, a-Ursolic acid, Asarone,
Acorgaermacrone, Elemene, Caryophyllene,
Cadalene , Calamenene, Acolamone and
Isoacolamone.
Pharmacological Activities
Acorus calamus L.
Antibacterial Antifungal Antispasmodic
Antimicrobial Pesticide anti-inflammatory
Nematicide activities Insecticide Hepatoprotective
Antiarthiritic Sedative Anticonvulsant

27. Sanskrit name - Saptaparna
Local name - Ezhilampala
Botanical name - Alstonia scholaris
Important Phytochemicals
Echitamine, Echitamine chloride, Rhazine, Nareline, Pseudo
Akuammigine, Scholarine, Scholaricine, Picrinine,
Alschomine and Isoalschomine
Pharmacological Activities
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br
Anticancerous Anti-asthmatic Anti-ulcerogenic
hepatoprotective hypoglycaemic Antidiarrhoeal
Wound healing Antiarthritic Antifungal
Antimycobacterial Antiplasmodial Antiparasitic
Antibacterial Neuropharmacological Piscicidal
Antimicrobial Antihyperlipidemic Antinociceptive

28. Sanskrit name - Swarnabhooshana
Local name - kanikkonna
Botanical name - Cassia fistula
Important Phytochemicals
Fistulic Acids, Sennosides A B, Anthraquinones,
Kaempferol, Fistulin, linoleic, oleic, Stearic and Palmitic
acids Lupeol, ß-sitosterol etc.
Pharmacological Activities
Cassia fistula L.
Wound healing Antifungal Antibacteria
Anthelmintic Antimicrobial Antipyretic
Larvicidal Anti-leishmaniatic, Antitumor
Antiparasitic Antifeedant Anti-anxiety
Sedative Antifertility

29. Sanskrit name - Brihati
Local name - Chunda
Botanical name - Solanum indicum
Properties
Important Phytochemicals
Flavonoids, Steroid, Saponins, Anthraquinones,
Reducing sugars, Tannins, Glycosides
Pharmacological Activity
Solanum indicum L.
Analgesic Anti-inflammatory CNS depressant
antipyretic Antimicrobial Antifungal

30. Sanskrit name - Jambu
Local name - Njaval
Botanical name -Syzygium cumini
Important Phytochemicals
Vitamins, Choline, Folic acid, Malic acid, Gallic
acid, Jamboline, Oleanolic acid, Ellagic acid
Betulinic acid, Tannins, Myricetine etc.
Pharmacological Activities
Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels.
Gastroprotective Anti- ulcerogenic Anti-bacterial
Anti-infective Anti malarial Anti anaemic
Antibacterial Hypolipidaemic Antioxidant
Anti-diabetic Anti-asthmatic Anti-inflammatory
Hypoglycaemic Radio-protective

31. Sanskrit name - Ankolam
Local name - Ankolam
Botanical name - Alangium salviifolium
Important Phytochemical
Alkaloids, Tannins, Triterpene, and Steroids, Phenolic
compounds and Flavinoids, Terpenoids, Saponin,
Phenolic glycosides, Kaempferol, Glycosides etc
Pharmacological Activities
Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wang.
Analgesic anti-inflammatory Anti Epileptic
Antioxidant anti microbial Hypoglycemic
Antidiabetic Wound healing Anti arthritic
Antifertility Antibacterial Cardiac activity
Anthelmintic Antifungal Diuretic, activity

32. Sanskrit name - Bakul
Local name - Elanji
Botanical name - Mimusops elenji
Important Phytochemicals
Quercitol, β-sitosterol, Quercetin. β-amyrin , taraxerol,
α-Spinasterol, Sodium ursolate and Betulinic acid,
Taraxerol , Ursolic acid
Pharmacological Activities
Antinociceptive Diuretic effects Gastroprotective
Antibacterial Antifungal anticariogenic
free radical scavenging antihyperglycemic Antihemorrhoidal
Gastroprotective &
diuretic effects
Antiviral Cytotoxic activities
Mimusops elenji L.

33. Sanskrit name - Dadima
Local name -Mathalam
Botanical name - Punica granatum
Important Phytochemicals
Cardiac glycosides, Tannins, Anthraquinones, Saponins,,
Cyanogenic glycosides, Sterols, Glucosinolates,
Coumarins, Triterpene, Ellagic acid, Ellagitannins, Punicic
acid, Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, etc
Pharmacological Activities
Punica granatum L.
Anticarcinogenic Antioxidant Anti-cancer
Antiglycemic Anti-inflammatory Neuroprotective
Reproductive Function Hypoglycemic Antiatherogenic effect
Antibacterial Antifungal Antimicrobial

34. Sanskrit name - Chembaka
Local name -Chembaka
Botanical name - Magnolia champaka
Important Phytochemicals
Alkaloids, Saponins, Tannins, Sterols,
Flavonoids, Triterpenoids, Stigmasterol etc.
Pharmacological
Magnolia champaka (L.) Baill. Ex Pierre
anti-inflammatory Anti-hyperglycemic leishmanicidal
Cytotoxic Anti-infective Radical scavenging
Antiulcer Antihelmintic Cardioprotective
antibacterial wound healing antifertility

35. Sanskrit name - Pippali
Local name - Thippali
Botanical name - Piper longum
Important Phytochemicals
Piperine, Piperlongumine, Piplatin, Piperlonguminine
Piperolactum A, Pipercide etc.
Pharmacological Activities
Piper longum L.
Hepatoprotective Hypocholesterolaemic Antiinflammatory
Antiamoebic Anti-bacterial

36. Sanskrit name - Nirgundi
Local name - Karinochi
Botanical name - Vitex nigundo
Important Phytochemicals
β-caryophyllene; Sabinene; gamma-terpinene;
Caryophyllene oxide; β-sitosterol; p-Hydroxybenzoic
acid; Protocatechuic acid; oleanolic acid; casticin;
Vitamin-C; nishindine; Gluco-nonitol; Vitexin; Isovitexin,
Negundin-A; Viridiflorol
Pharmacological Activities
Vitex nigundo L.
Antinociceptive Hepatoprotective Larvicidal
Anti-inflammatory Immunomodultory anti-venomous
CNS depressant Anti-bacterial Anti-viral
Antifungal Anti-filarial Mosquito repellent
Anti-larval Insecticidal Anti-feedant

37. Sanskrit name - Gugul
Local name - Guggulu
Botanical name - Commophora mukul
Important Phytochemicals
Guggulusteron Z and E .
Guggulsterone, Gugulipid, Triterpene, Myrrhanol A
Pharmacological Activities
Commiphora mukul (Hook. Ex Stocks) Engl.
Antioxidant Antidiabetic
Anti-inflammatory Lipid lowering activity
Wound Healing Myocardial Disease

38. Sanskrit name - rasna
Local name - Chittaratha
Botanical name - Alpinia calcarata
Properties
Important Phytochemcals
Galangoflavonoid, resin, galangol, kaempferid,
galangin and alpinin, Galangin
Pharmacology Activities
Alpinia calcarata (Haw.) Roscoe
Antimicrobial Antiinflammatory Antiallergic
Antibacterial Antifungal

39. Sanskrit name - Naga kesaram
Local name - Nagachempakam
Botanical name - Mesua ferrea
Important Phytochemical
Mesuol, Mammeuisin, Mammegin,
bioflavonone called Mesuaferrone A
Pharmacological Activity
Mesua ferrea L.
Urinary tract disorders Gout
Oedema Anti inflammatory
Skin diseases Immunomodulatory
Hepatoprotective Antiacetylcholinesteras
Larvicidal Antiproliferative

40. Sanskrit name - Swetachandan
Local name - Chandanam
Botanical name - Santalum album
Important Phytochemicals
Palmitic acid, oleic acids, Alpha- and Beta-
santalol, cedrol, aldehydes, Phytosterols,
Squalene etc.
Pharmacological Activities
Santalum album L.
Antifungal activities Anti-ulcerogenic
Antibacterial Antipyretic effect
Antimicrobial activity

41. Sanskrit name - Karanjam
Local name -Pongum
Botanical name - Pongamia pinnata
Pharmacological Properties
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre
Antifungal activity Antioxidant
anti-inflammatory Anti-plasmodial Activity
Anti-diarrhoeal Anti-hyperglycaemic
Anti-hyperammonemic Anti-lipidperoxidative

42. Sanskrit name - Arka
Local name - Erukku
Botanical name - Calotropic gigantea
Important Phytochemicals
Gigantin, calcium oxalate, alpha and beta-calotropeol, beta-amyrin., fatty acids (both
saturated andunsaturated), hydrocarbons, triterpene compounds, terols, Cardenolide
calotropin , αamyrin, β-amyrin, taraxasterol, β- sitosterol, α-amyrin methylbutazone, etc.
Pharmacological Activity
Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br.
Anti-diarrheal Hepatoprotective Cytotoxic activity
Anti-diabetic Antiinflammatory anti-fertility
Antipyretic Analgesic Insecticidal activity
Antimicrobial Anti-ulcer
Wound healing larvicidal activity

43. Sanskrit name - Musta
Local name - Muthanga
Botanical name - Cyperus rotundus
Important Phytochemical
cyprotene, cyperene, aselinene, rotundene, valencene, cyperol, gurjunene,
trans-calamenene, cadalene, cyperotundone, mustakone, isocyperol, acyperone
Pharmacological Activities
Cyperus rotundus L.
Astringent Diaphoretic Analgesic
Diuretic Antispasmodic Carminative
Antimicrobial Sedative vermifuge
Wound healing Antibacterial litholytic
stomachic Antispasmodic antitussive

44. Sanskrit name - Vata
Local name - Arayal
Botanical name - Ficus benghalensis
Important Phytochemicals
Quercetin-3-galactoside, rutin, friedelin, taraxosterol,
lupeol, β-amyrin , psoralen, bergapten and β-sisterol ,
meso-inositol βsitosterol-alpha-Dglucose
Pharmacological Activities
Ficus benghalensis L.
Nervous disorders antidiabetic anti-tumor activity
antidiabetic wound healing Antidysentery
Piles Female sterility Leucorrhea
Rheumatism Vomiting or nausea

45. CONCLUSION
• Owing to generation of greater interest and increased
demand towards the “natural and traditional holistic
systems of healing” in recent times
• The traditional methods have no adverse side effects on
the environment. Moreover the raw materials are both
locally available and also economical.
• it is the juncture to develop appropriate methodology of
cultivation and harvesting of medicinal plants by
integrating the knowledge of traditional and
contemporary sciences which consecutively aid in
sustainable deliverance of quality assured plant drugs,
moreover their conservation.

46. THANK YOU