E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Vrikshayurveda

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2022 Volume 7 Number 1 Jan-Feb
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

The relevance of Vrukshayurveda for organic cultivation of medicinal plants

Jeerankalagi A.1*, T Biradar S.2, P Naik S.3, N Dhari D.4, S Pujari V.5
DOI:

1* Ashwini Jeerankalagi, Assistant Professor, Department of PG studies in Dravyaguna, BLDEA’s AVS Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

2 Shivanand T Biradar, Associate Professor, Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Sai Ayurveda College, Vairag, Solapur, Maharashtra, India.

3 Shashidhar P Naik, Professor and Head, Department of PG studies in Dravyaguna, BLDEA’s AVS Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

4 D N Dhari, Professor, Department of PG studies in Dravyaguna, BLDEA’s AVS Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

5 Vidyalaxmi S Pujari, Associate Professor, Department of PG studies in Dravyaguna, BLDEA’s AVS Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

Ayurveda was theorized few thousand years back and is practised upto this day. So as like the medical science for humans (Ayurveda) similar science Vrikshayurveda was also developed for plants. Vrikshayurveda mainly deals with various aspects of trees regarding procuring, preserving, treatment of seeds and planting materials, method of irrigation, selection of soil, bio fertilizers and techniques for healthy growth and productivity of plant and plant disease etc. Today, we are facing lot of health hazards due to chemical fertilizers and pesticides in human beings like Digestive ailments, Cancer, Physical and Mental ailments, Reproductive abnormalities, Immune suppression, Hormone disruption etc. It does because of our traditional practices of farming have been more or less replaced by modern techniques, which are mainly dependent on chemicals for disease free and vigorous plants. Not only human health, these are causing destructive effects on environment like contamination of air, soil, ground water and declining of beneficial soil micro-organisms. It is necessary to validate effectivity of several ancient practices in the organic production and managing medicinal plant diseases. An effort is made here to review Vrikshayurveda literature related to agro techniques which can be used in the development of effective medicinal plants. It also highlights the current status of research and recent trends in the field of Vrikshayurveda related to organic production

Keywords: Traditional Agriculture, Agro techniques, Vrikshayurveda, Research trends

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Ashwini Jeerankalagi, Assistant Professor, Department of PG studies in Dravyaguna, BLDEA’s AVS Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Ashwini Jeerankalagi, Shivanand T Biradar, Shashidhar P Naik, D N Dhari, Vidyalaxmi S Pujari, The relevance of Vrukshayurveda for organic cultivation of medicinal plants. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(1):329-333.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/1703

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-01-29 2022-01-31 2022-02-07 2022-02-14 2022-02-21
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 19%

© 2022by Ashwini Jeerankalagi, Shivanand T Biradar, Shashidhar P Naik, D N Dhari, Vidyalaxmi S Pujariand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Jeerankalagi A. et al: Relevance Vrukshayurveda organic cultivation of medicinal plants

Introduction

Since long back Indians have wakefulness about health and longevity. For the interest of good health they have affinity towards the healthy diet and their resources. Our ancestors have curiosity in the jungle to get such sources of plant origin. Our sages made immense efforts in getting the knowledge of plants and assessed their medicinal value. It includes their identification, variety, properties, procurement and use. They have strong relationship with plant and animal resources. Ayurveda is practised up to this day, even though it was theorized few thousand years back. So as like the medical science for humans (Ayurveda) similar science Vrikshayurveda was also developed for plants.[1] Ancient India recognised the importance of cultivation, conservation, collection methods of plant bio-resources and their rational use for therapeutic purpose and health promotion.[2]

Vrikshayurveda is a Sanskrit term which means the science of Plant life (Vriksha = tree). It is an ancient Indian science of plants.  It is explained in various ancient texts. Vedas like Rigveda and Atharveda has lots of references regarding plants and environment. Ayurveda is the knowledge of life, diseases, their prevention and treatment. In Vrikshayurveda these concepts are applicable to plants. It has been completed in the form of Sanskrit Shlokas (325 in no) in a text Vrikshayurveda by Surapala (around 1000 years ago). He explained the importance of plants in human life. It explains procuring, preserving, treatment of seed and planting techniques. This text, deals with various topic like planting a garden, importance of various plants, selection of land, characteristic of soil, planting pits, different methods of irrigation, nutrition for plants, fertilizers, diseases of trees and their treatment.[3]

Today, we are facing lot of health hazards due to chemical fertilizers and pesticides in human beings like Digestive ailments, Cancer, Physical and Mental ailments, Reproductive abnormalities, Immune suppression, Hormone disruption etc. It does because of our traditional practices of farming have been more or less replaced by modern techniques, which are dependent on chemicals (fertilizers) for disease free and vigorous plants.  Not only human health, these are causing destructive effects on environment like contamination of

air, soil, ground water and declining of beneficial soil micro-organisms. It is the need of the hour to validate effectively of several ancient practices in the organic production and managing medicinal plant diseases.[4]An effort is made here to review Vrikshayurveda literature related to agro techniques which can be used in the development of effective medicinal plants. It also highlights the current status of research and recent trends in the field of Vrikshayurveda related to organic production.

Vrikshayurveda in Ancient Literature: The literature of Vrikshayurveda found from various texts like Agni Purana, Brihatsamhita, Sharangdhara Paddhati of Sharangdhara. The term ‘Vrikshayurveda’ was first mentioned in Koutilya Arthashastra but details are explained in Brihatsamhita and Agni Purana. Text such as Vishvavallabha, Krishi Parashara, Manasollas, Shivatatvaratnakara and Lokopkara also contain the information related to the art of plantation. Vrikshayurveda is a text written by Surpala (1000AD) highlighting the importance of agriculture practices. It is an Independent Ancient Sanskrit Text (325 Shlokas) on Plants. Mr Y. L. Nene (Chairman Asian Agri-History Foundation) procured a manuscript of Vrikshayurveda of Surapala from Bodlein Library, Oxford, UK. Dr Nalini Sadhale did the English translation of the manuscript.[5]Variety of information regarding nursery and agro techniques such as selection of soil, method of irrigation, pre sowing treatment of seeds and planting materials, bio fertilizers, techniques for healthy growth and management of pest control etc. [6-10]

  1. Soil selection: An ancient text related to Vrikshayurveda has given comprehensive information on selection of soil for varieties of plants.
Bhumi (Type of Land) Plants to be grown
Anupa Bhumi (Marshy land) Panasa, Narikela, Jambu, Tala, Vamsha, Jambeera, Vata, Kadamba, Kadali, Ketaki, etc.
Jangala Bhumi (Arid land) Ashoka, Shami, Bilwa, Shigru, Saptaparna, Shaka, Nimba, Karira etc.
Sadharana Bhumi (Ordinary land) Amra, Dadima, Champaka, Bijapuraka, Priyangu etc.
  1. Method of irrigation: Irrigation according to season is mentioned in Vrikshayurveda. In Vasanta (spring) irrigation should

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  1. be done daily, in Hemant (pre winter) and Shishira (winter) every alternate day and in Grishma (summer) it should be done thrice in a day.
  2. Pre sowing treatment of seeds (Bijopti Vidhi):Certain pre sowing treatment of seeds are mentioned which are beneficial for seed sowing purpose.
    1. Seeds are extracted from dried fruit, is then sprinkled with milk and dried for five days. It is then smoked with mustard seeds mixed with Vidanga (Emblia ribes Burm. f).
    2. Seeds sprinkled with milk rubbed with cow dung, dried and profusely smeared with Vidanga Choorna and Madhu will definitely sprout.
    3. Seeds soaked in milk, dried well in shade and rolled in the powder of Brihati (Solanum indicum L.), Tila (Sesamum indicum L.) and mixed with mustard are excellent for sowing.
  3. Specific planting months
Plants Specific planting month
Dadima (Punica granatum L.), Bakula (Mimusops elengi L.) Shravana (Rainy)
Amra (Mangifera indica L.), Lakucha (Artocarpus lakoocha ROXB.) Bhadrapada (when rains are receding)
Saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris L.) Kartika (Start of dry season)
Patola (Trichosanthes cucumerina L.) Phalguna (beginning of spring)
Kadali (Musa paradisiaca L.) Vaishakha (beginning of summer)

  1. Bio fertilizers in the name of Kunapa Jala which is special liquid manure is mentioned in Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda which enhances growth and development of plants.
  2. Preparation of Kunapa Jala (Surapala): The excreta, flesh, brain, bone marrow, head of boar, mixed with water and stored underground called as Kunapa. It is then boiled after mixing with water and mixture should be stored in oiled pot after adding sufficient quantity of husk, after roasting it in an Iron pot. Sesame oil cake, honey and soaked black gram also added. A little ghee should be poured.
  3. Various cultivation techniques: to increase yield is mentioned in Vrikshayurveda like
  1. sprinkling of ghee with cold milk.
    1. Panasa (jack fruit) when watered with Triphala decoction and covered immediately with husk, bears big sized fruits.
    2. Orange tree bears good quality of fruit when treated with water mixed with flesh, jaggery and milk.
    3. Trees that don’t bear flowers and fruit should be treated with cold mixture of sesame, barley, Kulattha (Dolichos biflorus L.), green gram and black gram.
    4. In Vrikshayurveda Panchmoola is combination of five plants mainly Bilva (Aegle marmalos L), Agnimanth (Clerodendrum phlomides L.), Shonak (Oroxylum indicum Benth.), Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens Roxb.), Gambhari (Gmelina arboria Roxb.) are used in various forms to treat different diseases in plants. It is also used for pest control and as a bio fertilizer to enhance plant yield.
  2. Pest control in trees was followed in those days like fumigation with Sarshapa, Hingu, Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Vacha (Achorus calamus) and water and mixed with powder of Bhallataka (Semicarpus anacardium).
  3. Paste prepared by pounding the barks of Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), Aragwadha (Cassia fistula), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) with cows urine is applied to the roots of infected plant.

Research / Publications related to Vrikshayurveda

  1. Mohan B. Evaluation of Organic growth promoters on yield of dry land vegetable crops in India. J Org Sys. 2008; 3: 23-26

This study recommends the use of Panchagavya as an organic growth promoter for small and marginally profitable vegetable crop farms.

  1. Brageshwar, Joshi AK, Dey S. Effect of Kunapa Jala and fertilizers on Senna (Cassia angustifolia) Indian forester. 2007; 133:1235-1240

This study highlights the importance of Kunapajala with special emphasis on cultivation of medicinal plants like senna (Cassia angustifolia)

  1. Ankad GM, Hiremath J, Patil RT, Pramod HJ, Hegade HV. Nutrient analysis

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  1. of Kunapa Jala and Panchgavya and their evaluation on germination of Ashwagandha and Kalamegha seeds; a comparative study. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2017;9(1):13-19

This study emphasis on preparation of Kunapa Jala, Panchagavya and also its effect on germination of Aswagandha and Kalamegha seeds.

  1. Shubhasree 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

This paper emphasizes on the conservation of plants as per Vrikshayurveda. It mentions the concept of Nakshatra Vana and Rashi Vana and also the advantages of organic farming.

  1. Vidyanath Ratnakaram. Antique cultivation and conservative techniques of Vegetation w.s.r. to Vrikshayurveda. ISSN 0976-0075 Ayurveda e-Journal Rasamritam, 5:36 Nov 2013

This paper focuses on the Vrikshayurveda techniques and hazards caused by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It also tells about the treatment of diseased condition of plants mentioned in Vrikshayurveda.

  1. Ramachandran CK. Vrikshayurveda (Arboreal medicine in Ancient India) Anc Sci Life.1984;4(2):110-1

This paper discusses the special branch of ancient Indian Sciences on plant life as mentioned by Vrikshayurveda.

  1. Anjan Kumar Sinha, P. K. Mishra. Effect of liquid Biofertilizer(Vrikshayurveda) prepared from Brassica alba on the cultivation of Rice. Journal of Applied and Natural Science 5 (2): 427-429(2013).

This study clearly indicated that in comparison to urea, Brassica Alba treated paddy plant performed higher plant height, higher yield production, higher husk production, larger number of grain per panicle, panicle length and higher grain weight.

  1. A Gangadhar, Effects of Vrikhsayurveda and modern techniques on germination of Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia Linn.). A comparative study, KLEU’s Shri BMK Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Belagavi, 2014

This study on the basis of germination parameters proves the method mentioned in Vrikshayurveda is beneficial alternative in terms of better and safe germination.

  1. Shahane Prachi, Khobragade Pramod. Evaluation on the seed germination rate of Ashoka (Saraca asoka (Roxb.) De Wilde) w.s.r. to Vrikhsayurveda. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research. 2016;4 (10): 29-32

This paper emphasizes on the seed germination rate, which is increased by Vrikshayurveda method.

  1. Ankita Patil, Meenal Lad. Comparative study of quantitative evaluation of alambu fruit (Cucurbita maxima duch. Ex lamk.) Grown by Vrikshayurveda cultivation method and conventional cultivation practice. IAMJ: Vol 7, issue 10, Oct-2019

This study on quantitative evaluation of Alambu fruit through Vrikshayurveda cultivation method showed good results than conventional cultivation practice.

Conclusion

By adoption of various Vrikshayurveda based agro techniques, we can have drugs free from harmful chemical, availability of potent drugs and more active principles, which can be easily accessed through modern parameters. It would certainly promote the sustainable management of medicinal plants with value addition which ultimately enhance the quality as well as production of raw material for the production of medicines. It is the need of the hour to procure healthy growth and productivity of plants and build ecofriendly environment. So, the developments of Vrikshayurveda based techniques are beneficial to improve the viability of the seeds of endangered plant species for better germination and it also gives scope to integrate traditional medicine.

Reference

  1. Janardhan Pandey, Vrikshayurvda, published by National Health Portal, 1999- https://www.nhp.gov.in/vrikshayrveda_mtl
  2. Devesh et al: The Science of Plant Life (Vriksha Ayurveda) in Archiac Literature: An Insight on Botanical, Agricultural and Horticultural aspects of Ancient India, WJPPS, Vol-4, Issue 6, 2015, page no-388 to 404.
  3. assamicaagro.in/blogs/posts/15662624-vrikshayurveda-organic-farming-an-overview

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  1. Prakash C. Phondani, Indra D. Bhatt, Vikram S. Negi, Bhagwati P. Kothyari, Arvind Bhatt, Rakesh K. Maikhuri, ‘Promoting medicinal plants cultivation as a tool for biodiversity conservation and livelihood enhancement in Indian Himalaya’, Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, Volume 9, Issue 1, 2016, Pages 39-46,
  2. S. A. Meshram, & Dr. A. A. Meshram. (2019). Vrikshayurveda - A Boon. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences, 4(06), 186-189. Retrieved from https://www.jaims.in/jaims/article/view/784
  3. Surapala Vrikshayurveda: Ancient treatise on plant life. Editor Dr SriKrishna Juganus, Chaukhamba Sanskrit series office, Varanasi.2004.
  4. Sadhale N, Nene Y Lancient Indian traditional and scientific thought on plant: Sir J C Bose and Vrikshayurveda, Ancient Agri history, 2009, 13 (2); 101-111
  5. Ramachandran CK. Vrikshayurveda (Arbirial medicine in Ancient India). Ancient Science of Life, 1984; 4 (2); 10-11
  6. Upavana Vinodha with English translation by G.P. Mazumdar, The Indian Research centre, Calcutta, 1935
  7. Guidelines on good agriculture and collection practices (GACP) for medicinal plants, WHO Geneva, 2003, Guidelines on Good field collection practices for Indian medicinal plants, national medicinal plants board Dept of Ayush, Ministry of Family welfare Govt. of India 2009

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