strology and Ayurvedic Plants
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This is a research paper on astrological factors and the efficacy of Ayurvedic plants based on a study undertaken by the authors who are from Indira Gandhi Academy of Environmental Education, Research and Eco planning, Jiwaji University , Gwalior . - ©Editor astrological magazine February 2202
Introduction
EVER SINCE the birth of human beings on planet earth, man has been completely dependent on natural resources around him for his survival and basic needs. The story of evolution of civilization is the story of acquisition of knowledge regarding these natural resources and their utilisation for human welfare. Since the very beginning, men have used plants for' their basic requirements of food, fodder, fuel, fiber, spices, condiments, oil, timber and medicine. If plants can express themselves, they will have the same opinion for men as man has for the parasite like the flea and germ living on him.
The stars and planets seen in the sky must have bewildered man since the very beginning. The changing
Supplier pattern of stars and planets in the sky and the happenings on the surface of the earth must have prompted Books him to correlate the happenings of the sky with the events occurring on the surface of the earth. The relation between lunar cycle and tides was established, perhaps, since beginning of the civilization. The recurring changes resulting in .seasons must have fascinated man and he would have attempted to draw its relation with the combinations of heavenly bodies which is termed as astrological phenomena.
The stars and planets act merely as pointers to the auspicious and inauspicious periods for a particular happening in the life of human beings. For the success, therefore, human effort and auspicious moments are both essential. Man's efforts yield maximum benefits only when they are made at an auspicious period. Man plunges into action with full vigour but often meets with failure during inauspicious moments, but when he acts at the auspicious moment, his achievements are phenomenal. The planets also effect plants and animals. The falling and formation of leaves, flowering and fruiting occur during a particular season. The sunflower capitultim moves with the movement of the Sun, opening and closing its flowers in a diurnal cycle. These are examples of the relation between planetary movements and biological activities
The pl planet anetss exe exert rt thei theirr effec effectt on pla plants nts and thei theirr medi medici cinal nal propertie propertiess too. Desp Despit itee the use usess of al alll pathological pathological and sonographical tests, tests, often it becomes difficult difficult for the medical practitioner practitioner to diag diagnose nose disease dise ase correctly and such patie patients nts are used as experi experimental mental,, tools tools.. Disea Disease se diag diagnosis nosis is infalliabl infalliablee in astrology astrol ogy.. Diseas Diseasee diag diagnosis nosis requires remedial measures for early recovery or eradic eradication ation of ail ailment. ment. Shushruta and Charaka have given various good Muhurthas for treatment and administration of medicines in Ayurvedic treatises such a Charaka Samhita. Shushruta Samhita, Nighantu, Rajnighantu etc. It has clearly been mentioned in these treatises mat the medicinal efficacy of plants is best exhibited when they are collected during die period of a particular Nakshatra. Preparation of medicine should also be done during the period of that Nakshatra. The medicine so prepared, if used by the patient on the day of the Nakshatra, will lead to early recovery. It therefore warrants an investigation to find out if there is any change in the chemical composition of the ingredients when plants are collected and processed for medicine in particular Nakshatras.
Ancient Indian scriptures have reference to medicinal plants being used as drugs. Such descriptions are found in all the four Vedas. The earliest reference is found in the Rig-Veda. It has a description of 67 medici medi cinal nal plants. plants. There is a sepa separate rate chapter as Ousha Oushadha dha Sookt Sookta. a. Rig Rig-Veda -Veda 10:96/1-23 sonne sonnets ts and Yajurveda sonnets 12/77, 89, 18/12 give a list of 81 medicinal plants, whereas Atharva Veda sonnets 8/7/14 and 11/6/ 11/6/16-17 16-17 des descri cribes bes 291 medi medicin cinal al plants. plants. Ay Ayurv urveda eda is a bran branch ch of the At Atharv harvaa Veda. El Elabora aborate te descriptions are available in Agni purana, Padma purana, Varaha Purana etc. which are of a later date. Padma Purana Srishti Srishti Khanda 28-32, Utta Uttara ra Khanda 28/13-18 and Sri Srimad mad Bhag Bhagwat watam, am, Chapt Chapter er X
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22/34-35 carry references to the significance of plants. Agni purana gives a clear description of medicinal importance for anatomical and physiological diseases in the human body. Rig-Veda, Chapter VI-22 says "Oh Almighty God. They Grace protects water and drugs that are beneficial to mankind like a best friend." Ayurveda is closely connected with the Rigveda and Atharvaveda. In the ancient Vedic period, various therapies were adopted to combat ailments and various practices have been evolved as an aid to Ayurveda. Many formulae have been prescribed in Ayurveda, though the most frequently and popularly used formulations are thousands in number. The basic classification of plants with reference to stars and planets has been described in Narada Purana, Narada Samhita, Sharda Tilak, Vidyarnava Tantra, Trishkandha Purana and Brihat Sushruta. But nowhere has, a detailed study of chemical ingredients of plants been given for such classification.
An English astronomer, herbalist, doctor and astrologer, Nicholas Culpepper, in the 17th century, correlated stars, planets and herbs according to ruler ship e.g., chamomile having volatile oil, yellow in colour containing anthemic acid, tannic acid and glucosides as governed by the Moon. It is used for diseases caused by the Moon as an antispasmodic in treating cough and cold tod is tonic. Mars rules Capsicum annum (cayenne pepper) whose chief chemical is cayennin and is associated with heat like fever and swelling.
Medication for the cure of diseases is based on the chemicals derived from chemicals directly or the synthesis of the chemicals in laboratory. Thus, classification is based on either the plant or chemical derived from the herbs e.g. the Sun governs the helianthus annus (sunflower) plant. Whose main chemical are ergosterol and calciferol which are also, therefore, governed by the Sun and either directly from the sunflower plant or produced through chemical synthesis. Jupiter mainly governs the chemical pyridoxine which is predominantly found in musa sapientum (plantain). This plant is also governed by Jupiter.
The present work has been undertaken with a view to study in depth the characteristics of plants said to be associated with planets and Nakshatras. The work entails scientific analysis of the claims made in oriental treatises and by doctors (Vaidyas) and astrologers thus providing a scientific basis to the knowledge embodied m oriental treatises. This medicinal system throughout the world uses certain herbs predominantly for the cure of human diseases. The treatises of Ayurveda contain much information about tat curative properties of various plants when collected at a particular time. Present paper deals with scientific evaluation of efficacy of plants when collected underthe constalation to which the plants have been attributed.
Plants coming under various Nakshatras growing in die Upper Gangetic Plain have been identified and were collected during the relevant Nakshatras. These plants were also analysed for their active principle contents, the analysts being done as per standard method of analysis
Chemical and physiological changes in plants: Star day vis a vis general Day.
The physio-chemical characteristics of nine commonly used plants in Ayurveda and assigned to the nine planets Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu with their respective Nakshatras were collected and classified into General Day and Nakshatra Day sample. These were dried and pulverised to powder to study their various physio-chemical properties of active chemicals and their values. 1.
Moisture Contents: By infrared moisture balance.
2.
Solubility: Soluble in water or alcohol.
3.
pH of Solution : pH was measured on Elico Digital pH meter.
4. Ash Contents: The pulverised powder was dried and burnt. The weight of ash was taken and percentage calculated. The ash was dissolved in hydrochloric acid and heated for further dissolution. It was filtered by filter paper. The weight of insoluble was taken and percentage was calculated. This was tested for alkaloids, flavinoids, quinones, and steriods as specific chemicals.
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The affinity of a plant by a governing planet is analysed on the basis of duration and period of flowering and fruiting of a plant and period of the star. The plant of the star used to cure the diseases and those diseases governed by a planet or combination of planets are noted. Plants are used as remedies for diseases. The rulership of planet over plants can be shown by some illustrations. The fruits of juglanas regia (walnut) appear as circumvolutions of the brain.
Astrologically, Mercury governs the brain and its activity is governed by the Sun. Both these planets govern the walnut The two lobes of the' seeds of coffea arabica (coffee) are apparently identical to the two cerebral lobes of the brain which are governed by Neptune . The seeds of dolichus labab (kidney bean) and anthyllis vulneraria (kidney vetch) resemble the kidneys. Venus governs kidneys and these plants are also governed by Venus. Sabal serrlata governs the diseases of kidney, prostate and ovaries which are again ruled by Venus. The Sun governs cardiospermum viola which is used for relief m cardiac troubles. The Moon governs lunuraria annua (moonwort) and pennisetvm sagina (pearl). Mercury governs mercurialis anuua (Mercury weed). Tylophora asthmatica is governed by by Moon and acts as a medicine for the cure of asthma which is also governed by the Moon. Jupiter governs liver and Jupiter governs marchantia potymorpha (liverwort) is used as a medicine for the cure of liver attaints. Saturn governs gout and also aeogopodbm padagraric (goutwort), a medicine for gout Mercury governs memory and bacopa moniera (Brahmi) governed by Mercury acts as a medicine for memory. This clearly indicates that the plants, which are governed by a particular planet, have the property to cure the diseases caused by the respective planet Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) and Ocimum album chiefly govern skin diseases,, worms, leprosy and chronic disorders. Mercury and Venus govern all these diseases as well as both the plants at the time of flowering. Strobilathus kuchenchinevsis flowers after 18 years and astrologically, the 18-year period is assigned to Rahu.
Planets, Herbs and Stones Another type of analogy between planets and herbs is that some parts of herbs used as a substitute for a particular gem are assigned to a planet as has been shown in Table I.
To reduce the ill-effects of planets, meditation, contemplation, havan and precious stones were often resorted to, but precious stones being costly, were, at times, not within the reach of the common man. Therefore, roots of the plants have been used as a substitute for precious stones as shown in Table 1. Table 1 Plants, Planets and Gems
Botanical name of plant
Vernacular Name
Planet
Stone or Gem
Aegle marmelos
Bael
Sun
Ruby
Mimusops hexandra
Khimi
Moon
Pearl
Hemidesmus indicus
Indian sarsaparilla
Mars
Coral
Opuntia dillenii
Nagfani
Mars
Coral
Clerodendron serratum
Bharangi
Jupiter
Topaz
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Curcuma longa
Haldi
Jupiter
Yellow sappier
Musa saplmtum
Keta
Jupiter
Yellow agate
Tephrosia purpuma
Purple
Venus
Diamond
Punfca granatum
Anar
Venus
Diamond
Rubia cordifolia
Indian maddar
Venus
Diamond
Ricinus commnuis
Eranda
Venus
Zircon
Rumex vesicarkis
Sorrel
Venus
Zircon
Lettsomia nervosa
Argyreta
Mercury
Emerald
Pterocarpus santalanus
Latchandan
Saturn
Blue sapphire
Santalum album
Chandan
Rahu
Gomed
Rauwolphia seipentina
Sarpagandha
Rahu
Alexandria
Withania somnifera
Ashwagandha
Keta
Cats eye
Indeed, havan is a scientific method to cure disease though inhalation of the vapour and smoke emanating through the havan. Plants were classified into 9 groups to match the 9 planets for offering into the havan as samidha. Table 2 shows the classification as given in Garuda Purana.
Table 2 Samidha for Planets
Planet
Vernacular Name
Latin Name
sun
ArK (Niaoar)
Calotropis procera
Moon
Palash (Dhak)
Butea monosperma
Mars
Khadir (Khair)
Acacia catechu
Mercury
Apamarg (LaQira)
Achyranthus aspera
Jupiter
Pipal
Ficus religiosa
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In Ayurvedic treatises each Nakshatra period has been assigned certain plants. These Nakshatras are said to be responsible for certain diseases. Some of the common plants growing in the Upper Gangetic Plain, assigned to various Nakshatras, are listed in Table 3 with details of their vernacular name, botanical name, and family, the part of the plant used as medicine, active chemicals and therapeutic use.
According to Ayurvedic literature, the curative properties of plants differ from Nakshatra to Nakshatra, their collection in a particular period and the processing of drugs as affected by the Nakshatra. The Nakshatra-wise list of plants growing in the Upper Gangetic Plain has been drawn and their active principles identified. Nine plants each assigned to a planet and a Nakshatra have been selected for the study. The active principles of these plants were identified. They were collected during the Nakshatra to which they are assigned and also on a general day. The analysis with respect to moisture content, solubility, pH of solution, total ash contents and acid ash test has been carried out. The results are given in Table 4. Table 4 indicates that ash content and acid ash test indicative of curative characteristics are quantitatively higher in samples collected during the Nakshatra to which the plant is assigned, as compared to the same estimated for the sample of the plant collected on a general day without reference to the Nakshatra.
Table 3 Nakshatras, Plants and Diseases Ruled by Nakshatras Proof not corrected
Table 4
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Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Plants Assigned to Planets and Nakshatras
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It has been observed in many patients that the same drug administered at different times manifests differently and exhibits variations in its curative properties. In this case also, it has been observed that the maximum efficacy is achieved when the drug is administered during the period of the Nakshatra to which that herb is assigned. These facts clearly indicate that the postulates laid down in astrological, Ayurvedic and ancient treatises have great bearing both on the commencing of the disease and its treatment by specific herbs or the chemicals contained in those herbs assigned to a planet and / or Nakshatra. The science of astrology perceives a holistic approach based on the twelve houses and the placement of the 9 planets in them, their ' relationship and aspects. All these together : constitute a complicated system in which perception and prediction of the overall effect becomes extremely difficult. Coming to conclusions without in depth and analytical study of the horoscope can make a mockery of medical astrology and astrological predictions. But a careful analysis and scientific holistic approach towards the reading of a horoscope can easily translate into a scientific and statistically analyzable reality. The use of medical astrological principles can be quite helpful in correct diagnosis of certain problematic diseases and their cure by carefully selecting appropriate herbs or chemicals contained in them. Conclusion
Ancient Indian society utilised all the axioms of knowledge gathered till then for all activities of life. The cure of disease has also not remained in isolation from this belief of the society. Thus a very intimate and practical relation was drawn between astrological principles and the herbs attributed to a particular Nakshatra and / or planet for the, cure of disease caused due to the effect of those Nakshatras and planets. This worked very well in the cure as well as abatement of diseases. The “scientific revolution” has smothered astrological knowledge and pushed it back branding it mystical knowledge. This has led to the neglect of astrology in the treatment of disease The present research, therefore, has been undertaken to reestablish the relationship between the astrological diagnosis of a disease and its cure through herbs of me active chemicals obtained from herbs mat can cure the disease. The analysis and the results obtained clearly prove astrology is a valid science. Thus, there is a great need to reform the disease management, strategy through the use of astrological principles and herbs associated with specific Nakshatra planets to achieve the required goal of heath and happiness in society. This article / paper published in 2002 February astrological magazine.
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