E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Shaka Varga

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 7 July
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Review on Shaka Varga w.s.r. to Bruhatrayee

Bhagyalaxmi C.1*, H. Huddar S.2, Anup Kumar E.3
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.7.26

1* CV Bhagyalaxmi, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Dravyaguna, Shri Shivayogeeshwara Rural Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Inchala, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.

2 Shreedevi H. Huddar, Professor and HOD, Department of Dravyaguna, Shri Shivayogeeshwara Rural Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Inchala, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.

3 Elleri Anup Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Dravyaguna, Shri Shivayogeeshwara Rural Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Inchala, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.

The vegetables are grouped under Shaka Varga in Ayurvedic classics. The Bruhatrayees are the most important books of Ayurveda classics. They are Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Astanga Hridaya/Astanga Sangraha. Most of the plants under Shaka Varga are of controversial botanical identity and some are unidentified. The Bruhatrayees included Shaka Varga under Ahara(food). The Shaka Varga includes Patra Shaka (leafy vegetables), Kanda Shaka (stem vegetables), Phala Shaka (vegetable fruits), Pushpa Shaka (flower vegetables) etc. Consumption of these vegetables helps to maintain the health in the healthy individual and helps in curing the diseases. Certain vegetables are Pathya (suitable) and Apathya (not suitable) for consumption. The vegetables are consumed for the nutrition and as the best calorie diet. The medicinal herbs are used in the small quantities and have huge medicinal properties. The present study is to review on the number of plants with their botanical identification and the Karma of Shaka Varga Dravyas (plants belonging to vegetable category) in Bruhatrayees.

Keywords: Shaka Varga, Vegetables, Bruhatrayees, Ahara

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
CV Bhagyalaxmi, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Dravyaguna, Shri Shivayogeeshwara Rural Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Inchala, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		CV Bhagyalaxmi, Shreedevi H. Huddar, Elleri Anup Kumar, Review on Shaka Varga w.s.r. to Bruhatrayee. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(7):139-147.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2613

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2023-06-03 2023-06-05 2023-06-12 2023-06-19 2023-06-25
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 18%

© 2023by CV Bhagyalaxmi, Shreedevi H. Huddar, Elleri Anup Kumarand 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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Introduction

Shaka Varga in Sanskrit is group of vegetables. Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Astanga Hridaya/Astanga Sangraha are called the Bruhatrayees as per Ayurveda classics. The Charaka Samhita mentioned Shaka Varga in Sutrasthana, twenty seventh chapter Annapanavidhi Adhyaya and classified Vegetables mainly based on Rasa (Taste) and Dosha Prabhava (effects on Doshas).[1] But Acharya Chakrapanidatta elaborated the vegetables into three types: Patra Shaka, Phala Shaka, and Kanda Shaka. Apart from these Acharya Charaka mentioned Harita Varga and Aharopayogi (vegetables that can be used daily for consumption as food).[2] The Sushrutha Samhita included it under Annadravya and classified Shaka Varga into four based on Ashraya(origin) viz: Pushpa (flowers), Patra (leaves), Phalam (fruits), Kandam (tubers) in Annapana Vidham Adhyayam, forty sixth chapter of Sutrasthana.[3] The Astanga Hridaya divided Shakas as Patra Shaka, Kanda Shaka, Phala Shaka and Salana Shaka (seasoning plants). There are total 118 and 133 Shaka Varga Dravyas mentioned in Charaka Samhita and Sushrutha Samhita respectively. The Astanga Hridayam and Astanga Sangraha mentioned 144 and 150 Shaka Varga Dravyas respectively.[4] The Shaka Varga are the vegetables which we use on our day to day living as Ahara (food). They are the great source of nutrition with huge amount of proteins etc. They are used as Ahara (food) and as well as Aushadha (medicine). Thus the important Karma (properties) of the individual vegetables with Aushadha Guna (medicinal property) along with the botanical identification is reviewed in this article. The Shaka Varga Dravyas of Bruhatrayees are identified. (Table 1)

Materials and Methods

The review is done by collecting data from various sources described under Shaka Varga in Bruhatrayees, Nighantus, Indian Materia Medica, Botanical Survey of India, various published journals and articles and Plant database.

Observation

The observation mentioned here are done on the group of Dravyas of Bruhatrayees with their botanical identity and having the specific

pharmacodynamic properties and their specific Karma on Tridoshas. Vegetables such as Patha, Sathi, Srusa, Sunisanna, Satinaja, Rajaksava, Shusha and Vatsuka pacify Tridosha and Constipative (bowel binding) except Vatsuka.

The drug Srusha is Nilavaka, the vernacular name according to Hridayabhotika commentary of Sridasa pandita. It is spelt as Shusha by Arunnadatta who identified the drug as Kasamardha (Cassia occidentalis). Sunisanna (Marsilea quadrifolia) increases the digestive power and is aphrodisiac. Rajaksava (Cleome viscose) is the best among those which pacify functional bowel diseases and haemorrhoids. Vatsuka (Chenopodium album) is a laxative. Kakamaci (Solanum nigrum) pacifies Tridoshas, cures the skin diseases and is aphrodisiac, hot and Rejuvenative. It is laxative and clears voice. Cangeri (Oxalis corniculata) is sour to taste, promotes digestion, cures functional bowel diseases and Haemorrhoids, pacify Vata and Kapha, hot, light and constipative. Patola, Saptala, Arista, Srngesta, Avalguja, Amrta, Vetragra, Brhati, Vasa, Kuntali, Tilaparnika, Mandukaparni, Karkota, Karavella, Parpata, Nadikalayam, Gojihva, Vartaka, Vanatiktaka, Karira, Kulaka, Nandi, Kucaila, Sukuladani, Katilla, Kembuka, Kostaka and Karkasa are bitter to taste, Katu Vipaka (metabolic end effect) and Constipative. They increase Vata, pacify Kapha and Pitta. Patola (Trichosanthes anguina) is Stomachic, destroys intestinal worms, is of Madhura Vipaka (metabolic end effect) and tasty.

The two varieties of Brhati (Solanum species) vitiate Pitta, pacify Vata, Carminative and Purgative. Vasa (Adathoda vasica) cures vomiting and cough.

It is best remedy in bleeding disorders. Karavella (Momordica charantia) is pungent taste, carminative and pacifies Kapha. Vartaka (Solanum melongena) is pungent- bitter taste, hot and sweet, pacifies Kapha and Vata, and has alkaline property. It promotes digestion, stomachic and doesn’t increase Pitta. Karira (Capparis deciduas) causes distension of abdomen, astringent, sweet and bitter in taste. Kostaka (Luffa acutangula) and Avalguja (Psoralea corylifolia) are penetrating and increase the digestive power. Tanduliya (Amaranthus spinosus) is cool, dry, light and sweet to taste. It relieves intoxication, disorders of blood. Manjuta (Orchis latifolia) pacifies Vata and Pitta, is unctuous, cool, is nutritive and increases the virility.



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Palakya is a variety of spinach mentioned in Astanga Hrdaya along with Upodaka (Basella rubra). Upodaka is spelt as Upodika in Charaka Samhitha. Palakya is unidentified. Palankya is identified as Spinacia oleraceae. Sushruta Samhitha explains the properties of Palankya similar to Tanduliya (Amaranthus Spinosus). Cuncu (Corchorus acutangularis) is constipative. Vidari (Ipomoea paniculata) pacifies Vata and Pitta, diuretic, sweet and cool. It is enlivening, nutritive, soothing to throat, aphrodisiac and rejuvenative. Jivanti (Holostemma adakodien) pacifies all the Tridosha, good for eyes, sweet to taste.[5]

Phala Shaka Varga : fruit vegetable

Kushmanda, Tumba, Kalinga, Karkaru, Ervaru, Tindisa, Trapusa, Cinaka and Cirbhata increases Kapha and Vata, purgative, causes constipation, increases secretion and sweet to taste. Kushmanda (Benincasa hispida) the commentary on Charaka Samhitha by Chakrapani Datta Ayurveda Dipika says tender or unripe Kushmanda is Pitta Shamaka (pacifies Pitta), half ripened increase Kapha, fully ripened Kushmanda is sweet to taste, alkaline in nature, hot and carminative, pacifies Tridosha and good for heart. Alabu (Lagenaria siceraria) is purgative, unctuous, cold in potency and heavy. Chirbata (Cucumis Pubescens) and Eruvaka (Cucumis pseudocolocynthis) is useful in Diarrhoea.

Kanda Shaka Varga : Aquatic stem vegetable

Mrnala, Visa, Shaluka, Kumudakanda, Utpalakanda, Nandimasaka, Keluta, Srngataka, Kaseruka, Krauncadana and Kalodya is dry, constipative, cool and heavy.

Patra Shaka Varga: leafy vegetable

Kalamba, Nalika , Marsha , Kutinjara, Kutumbaka, Cilli, Latvaka, Lonika, Kurutaka, Gavethuka, Jivata, Junju, Edagaja, Yavasaka, Sauvarchala, leaves of pulses and Lakshmana are sweet, slightly salty, dehydrating. They increase Vata and Kapha, heavy and expel the urine and faeces.

Pallava : tender leaves

Pallavas (tender leaves) are mentioned under Shaka Varga by Acharya Charaka. The usage of tender leaves as vegetables mentioned here are of mainly coming from Aushada Varga i.e., all are medicinal herbs.


The tender leaves included here are the plants with Aushadhi Guna (medicinal properties). Tender leaves of Nyagrodha (Ficus bengalensis), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa), Ashwatha (Ficus religiosa), Plaksha (Ficus lacor), Padma (Nelumbo nucifera) are astringent taste, causes constipation, stops bleeding, useful in Diarrhoea. Vatsadani (Tinospora cordifolia) and Bilwa Patra (Aegel marmellos) alleviates Vata, Gandira (Euphorbia antiquoram) and Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) alleviate Kapha, Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Jivanti (Leptadenia reticulate), Parvani and Parva Pushpa alleviate Vata and Pitta. Langalika (Gloriosa superb) and Urubhaka (Ricinus communis) are light, bitter to taste and laxative. Cilli (Chenopodium album) with small leaves is quantitatively similar to Vatsuka. Tarkari (Premna serratofolia) and Varana (Crataeva magna) are sweet, slightly bitter and pacify Vata and Kapha. Tila (Sesamum indicum), Vetasa (Salix caprea) and small variety of Chaitra Eranda aggravate Vata, pungent, bitter and sour to taste. Kalaya Saka is constipative, sweet, dry. Varieties of Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa and Trianthema portulacastrum) and Kalasaka (Murraya koenigii).

Sprouts of Cirivilva (Holoptelia integrifolia) are carminative, laxative and pacify Kapha and Vata. Sprouts of Satavari (Asparagus racemosus) are bitter to taste, aphrodisiac and pacify Tridoshas. Bamboo Buds (Bambusa arundinacea) are dry, leads to internal burning sensation during digestion and vitiate Vata and Pitta. Patura (Alteranthera sessilis) is carminative, bitter and relieves spleen disorders and Haemorrhoids. Puti Karanja Patra (Caesalpinia bonducella) is pungent taste, light, hot in potency. Tambula Patra (Piper betle) is pungent and bitter to taste, hot and penetrating, good for voice, pacifies Vata and Kapha. Puga (Areca catechu) removes bad smell, clears the bowel movements.

Pushpa Shaka Varga : flower vegetables

Kovidara, Sana, Salmali Pushpas are sweet to taste, helpful in bleeding disorders. Vasa (Adathoda vasica) and Agastya Pushpa (Sesbania grandifolia) are astringent taste, pungent after digestion, reduces cough. Karira (Capparis deciduas) is pungent to taste, pacifies Vata.

The flowers of Rakta Viksha, Nimbi, Mushkaka, Arka, Asana and Kutaja pacifies Kapha and Pitta, useful in skin diseases. Padma,


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Kuvalaya, Utpala are bitter to taste, cold potency and pacifies Pitta and Kapha. Malati and Mallika are bitter to taste and destroys Pitta. Bakula and Patala are scented flowers and stomachic. Kimsuka and Kurantaka pacify Pitta and Kapha. Ksavaka, Kulevara and Vamsa Karira flowers are useful in urinary disorders and pacify Kapha.

Kasamarda (Cassia occidentalis) relieves intestinal worms, cough, secretion of Kapha and laxative. Kusumbha Shaka (Carthamus tinctorius) is dry, causes dehydration, hot potency, increases Pitta and sour to taste. Sarsapa (Brassica juncea) is hot in potency, obstructs urine, constipating and vitiates all Doshas.

Salana Shaka Varga: Seasoning Vegetables

Kuthera, Sigru, Surasa, Sumukha, Asuri, Bhustrna, Phanijja, Arjaka, Jambira comprises of Salana Varga causes burning sensation during digestion, pungent, dry and hot potency. They are Hrdya (stomachic), carminative, appetizing, is light, destroy virility and intestinal worms. Lasuna is extremely hot potency, stomachic, hair tonic, aphrodisiac, carminative, helpful in fracture union, haemorrhoids, cough, asthma and provides strength.

Moola Shaka Varga: Surana (Amorphophallus paeoniifollius) is carminative, Appetizer, lucid, light and pacifies Kapha. Moolaka (Raphanus sativus) is without clear manifestation of taste. It has slight alkaline.

Results and Discussion

The plants like Palakya and Upodaka are of similar properties.[5] Upodaka is spelt as Upodika in Charaka Samhita. Palakya is unidentified. Vatsuka identified as Chenopodium album (white goosefoot) may contain toxic amount of oxalate or nitrate compounds. The species Chenopodium berlandieri is a wonderful little plant which is edible, known as Pitseed goosefoot. The plant Vastuka may be taken as Chenopodium berlandieri. The plant Srusa is Nilavaka, the vernacular name according to Hrdayabhotika commentary on Astanga Hrdaya. The Nilavaka in the Malayalam language is the name of the plant identified with Senna alexandrina from the family Fabaceae, having the synonyms Cassia augustifolia, Cassia acutifolia, Cassia senna.[6] It is spelt as Shusha by Arunadatta who identified the drug as Kasamardha (Cassia occidentalis).

Palandu (Allium cepa) is considered slightly inferior to Lasuna (Allium sativum). Bhandi is a word referring to Albizia lebbeck, a plant species in the family Fabaceae, eaten as a vegetable according to Charaka Samhita. Bhandi in the Hindi language is another name for Tanduliya, which is identified as Amaranthua spinosus from family Amarantheceae according to Raja Nighantu. Bhandi is also identified as Clerodendrum infortunatum with synonym Clerodendrum buchananii.[7] Parvapushpa is one of the synonyms of Nagadanti, identified as Croton oblongifolius. Kulaka is another name for Patola, a medicinal plant identified as Trichosanthes dioca and Kupilu (Strychnos nux-vomica).[8,9] The Piluparṇi is another name for Murva, a medicinal plant identified with Marsdenia tenacissima from the Asclepiadoideae or milkweed[10]

Karkaru is also identified with Benincasa hispida. Tindisa in India is the name of a plant defined with Abelmoschus ficulneus in various botanical sources.[11] Nalika is another name for Indivara, an unidentified medicinal, according to Raj Nighantu verse: 3/94-95. Indivara has been variously identified with Satavari (Asparagus racemosus), Indravaruṇi (Citrullus colocynthis), Ajasṛngi, Indracirbhaṭi, Kadali, Kuraṇṭika (Celosia argentea). The chapter Guḍucyadi Varga of the book Raja Nighantu contains climbers and creepers. Together with the names Nalika and Indivara, there are a total of six Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant. Salana Shaka comprises drugs which are used as spices in food preparation. These corresponds the substances like coriander, garlic, pepper, curry leaf, onion, chilies, cinnamon, asafetida, fenugreek, mustard etc. in modern cooking. Hrdayabodhika commentary of Astanga Hrdaya says Nandimasaka is Kulirchembu in vernacular Malayalam language. It is one of the Aquatic stem vegetables or Kanda Shaka Varga. Charaka Samhita included Pallava, the tender leaves of the trees like Nyagrodha (Ficus bengalensis), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa), Plaksha (Ficus lacor), Ashwatha (Ficus religiosa) etc. under Shaka Varga. The plant Gojihwa identified as Onosma bracteatum. The different species of Gojihwa with reference to leaf are Launaea pinnatifida, Elephanto scaber, Anchusa strigosa, Caccinia macranthera, Macrotomia benthami.[12] Various preparation of dried Shaka (vegetables) is seen in Sushruta Samhita whereas Charaka Samhita considers dried up Shaka as unwholesome.



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Table 1: Plants of Shaka Varga from Brihatrayee with Identification

SN Common name Botanical name Family English names
1. Agastya Sesbania grandifolia Fabaceae Hummingbird
2. Amalika Tamarindus indica Fabaceae Tamarind
3. Amrita Tinospora cordifolia Menispermaceae Heart-leaved moonseed
4. Ardrika Coriandrum sativum Umbelliferae Coriander
5. Arista Azadirachta indica Meliaceae Neem
6. Arjaka Ocimum basilicum Laminaceae Sweet basil
7. Asana Pterocarpus marsupium Fabaceae Malabar kino
8. Ashwatha pallava Ficus religiosa Moraceae Sacred Fig
9. Asuri Brassica campestris Brassicaceae Field mustard
10. Avalguja Psoralea corylifolia Fabeceae Purple fleabane
11. Bakula Mimosops elengi Sapotaceae Cherry
12. Bhandi/Svanamakhyata Albizia lebbeck Fabaceae Shiris/Baage
13. Bhukanda Agaricus campestris Agaricaceae Field mushroom
14. Bhustrna Andropogon citratus Poaceae Lemon grass
15. Bilwa parni Aegle marmelos Rutaceae Woodapple
16. Brhati Solanum anguivi Solaneceae Poison berry
17. Campaka Magnolia champaca Magnoliaceae Champak
18. Cangeri Oxalis corniculata  Oxalidaceae Creeping wood sorrel
19. Chatra /fungi Psalliota campestris Agaricaceae Agaricus
20. Cilli Chenopodium album Chenopodiaceae Whitegoose foot
21. Cinaka Cucumis sativus Cucurbitaceae Cucumber
22. Cirbhata Cucumis pubescens Cucurbitaceae Wild cucumber
23. Cirivilva Holoptelia integrifolia Ulmaceae Indian elm/Kanju
24. Cuncu Corchorus acutangularis Tiliaceae Nalta Jute
25. Duduraka Datura innoxia Solanaceae Downy thorn apple
26. Edagaja Cassia tora Caesalpiniaceae Pot Cassia
27. Ervaru Cucumis psuedocolocyntis Cucurbitaceae Snake cucumber
28. Gavethuka Coix lachyrma Poaceae Pearl barley, corn bead
29. Gojihva Onosma bracteatum Boraginaceae Sedge
30. Grnjanaka Allium ascalonicum Amaryllidaceae Shallot
31. Hamsapadika Adiantum lunulatum Pteridaceae Walking maiden fern
32. Harimantha Cicer arietinum Fabaceae Chickpea
33. Jambira Citrus lemon Rutaceae Lemon
34. Jhunjhu Argyreia speciosa Convolvulaceae Elephant creeper
35. Jivanta Amaranthus paniculatus Amaranthaceae Red shank/ Red amaranth
36. Jivanti Holostemma adakodien Asclepiadaceae Holostemma
37. Kakamaci Solanum Nigrum Solanaceae Black nightshade
38. Kalamba Basella alba Basellaceae Indian spinach
39. Kalasaka Murraya koenigii/ Corchus capsularis Rutaceae Curry leaf
40. Kalaya Lythyrus sativus Fabaceae Grasspea
41. Kalinga Cucumis melo Cucurbitaceae Muskmelon
42. Kantakari Solanum xanthocarpum Solanaceae Wild egg plant
43. Karavellaka Momordica charantia Cucurbitaceae Bitter melon/ Bittergourd
44. Karira Capparis deciduas Capparaceae Bare caper
45. Karira Venu Capparis decidua Capparaceae Leafless caper bush
46. Karkaru Cucurbita pepo Cucurbitaceae Pumkin
47. Karkasa Luffa cylindrica Cucurbitaceae Sponge gourd
48. Karkota Momordica dioca Cucurbitaceae Spiny gourd
49. Kasamarda Cassia occidentalis Caesalpiniceae Negro coffee/ Coffee senna
50. Kaseruka Cyperus esculentus Cyperaceae Tiger nut
51. Katilla/Punarnava Boerhaavia diffusa Nyctaginaceae Hogweed
52. Kausumbha Carthamus tinctorius Asteraceae False saffron/ Saf flower
53. Keluta Brassica oleracea  Brassicaceae Cabbage
54. Kembuka Unidentified  - -
55. Khajura Phoenix sylvestris Arecaceae Indian Date
56. Kimsuka Butea monosperma Fabaceae Parrot tree/ bastard teak
57. Kostaka Luffa acutangula Cucurbitaceae Ridged gourd
58. Kovidara Bauhinia variegata Fabaceae Orchid tree
59. Krauncadana Nymphaea stellata Nymphaeaceae Indian blue lily
60. Kucaila Cissampelos pareria Menispermaceae Velvet leaf
61. Kulaka Trichosanthus dioica Cucurbitaceae Pointed Gourd
62. Kumuda Nymphaea pubescens Nymphaeaceae Hairy water lily
63. Kumudakanda Nymphea nouchali Nymphaeaceae Blue lotus
64. Kuntali Physalis indica Solanceae Cape gooseberry
65. Kurutaka Marsilea minuta Marsileaceae Pepperwort
66. Kushmanda Benincasa hispida Cucurbitaceae Ash Gourd
67. Kutaja Holorrhena pubescens Apocynaceae Kurchi
68. Kuthera/variety of basil Unidentified Lamiaceae -
69. Kutinjara Amaranthus graecizans Amaranthaceae Wild amaranth
70. Kutumbaka Leucas aspera Lamiaceae Common leucas Thumba
71. Lakshmana Ipomoea sepiaria Convolvulaceae Morning Glory
72. Langalika Gloriosa superb Chochicaceae Flame lily
73. Lasuna Allium sativum Amaryllidaceae Garlic
74. Latvaka Commiphora mukul  Burseraceae Indian bdellium tree/ guggul
75. Lonika Portulaca oleracea Portulacaceae Pursley
76. Madhu Sigru Moringa concanensis Moringaceae Konkan moringa/ wild drum stick
78. Malati Aganosma heynei Apocynaceae Clove scented echites(Jasmine variety)
79. Mallika Jasminum sambac Oleaceae Arabian jasmine
80. Mandukaparni Centella asiatica Apiaceae Indian pennywort
81. Marsa Amaranthus oleraceus Amaranthaceae Wild spinach
82. Masaka Unidentified  - -
83. Mashaparni Teramnus labialis Fabaceae Blue wiss
84. Munjata Orchis latifolia Orchidaceae Salep
85. Nadikalayam Unidentified  - -
86. Nagakesara Mesua ferrea Calophyllaceae Indian rose chestnut
87. Nalikka Ipomoea reptans Convolvulaceae Water spinach
88. Nandi Unidentified  - -
89. Nandi (in Charaka Samhita) Coccinia grandis Cucurbitaceae Ivy gourd
90. Nyagrodha Pallava Ficus bengalensis Moraceae Banyan
91. Padma/sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera Nymphaeaceae Sacred lotus
92. Palakya Unidentified  - -
93. Palandu Allium cepa Amaryllidaceae Onion
94. Parpata Fumaria indica Fumariaceae Fine leaf fumitory
95. Parvani Polygonum Polygonaceae Knotweed
96. Parvapushpa Croton oblongifolia Euphorbiaceae Not available
97. Patala Stereospermum suaveolens Bignonaceae Trumpet
98. Patha Cyclea peltata Menispermaceae Indian moonseed
99. Patola Trichosanthes anguina Cucurbitaceae Snake gourd
100. Pattura Alternanthera sessilis Amaranthaceae Brazilian spinach
101. Phanjikka Ocimum kilimandscharium Lamiaceae Camphor basil
102. Piluparni Marsdenia tenacissima Asclepiadoideae Rajmahal hemp
103. Pindalu Dioscorea alata Dioscoreaceae  Purple yam
104. Plaksha Pallava Ficus lacor Moraceae Java fig
105. Pushkara/Mrnala (stalk of lotus) Nelumbo nucifera Nymphaeaceae Sacred lotus
106. Puti Karanja Patra Caesalpinia crista Caesalpiniaceae Fever nut
107. Rajaksava Pisum sativum/Cleome viscose Fabaceae Pea
108. Raktanala Hibiscus sabdariffa Malvaceae Roselle
109. Sangesta Unidentified Unidentified -
110. Saptala Euphorbia pilosa Euphorbiaceae Not available
111. Sarsapa Brassica juncea Brassicaceae Mustard
112. Satavari Asparagus racemosus Liliaceae Indian asparagus
113. Sathi Kaempferia galanga Zingiberaceae Aromatic ginger
114. Sauvarcala Helianthus annus Asteraceae Common sunflower
115. Shalmali Salmalia malabarica Malvaceae Silk cotton tree
116. Shaluka Nymphaea stellata Nymphaeaceae Indian water lily
117. Sigru Moringa oliefera Moringaceae Drumstick tree
118. Sinduvara Vitex negundo Lamiaceae Chinese chaste tree
119. Srngataka Trapa bispinosa Trapaceae Water chestnut
120. Srusa Senna alexandrina Fabaceae East Indian senna
121. Sukaladani Lippia nodiflora Verbenaceae Frog fruit/ Turkey tangle fogfruit
122. Sumukha Ocimum americanum Laminaceae Lime basil
123 Sunisanna Marsilea quadrifolia Marsileaceae Water clover
124. Surana Amorphophallus paeoniifolius Araceae Elephant foot Yam
125. Surasa Ocimum tenuflorum Laminaceae Holy basil
126. Tala Borassus flabellifer Arecaceae Toddy palm
127. Tambula Patra Piper betel Piperaceae Betel
128. Tanduliya Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthaceae Spiny pigweed

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129. Tarkari Premna integrifolia Verbenaceae Wild killer
130. Tila Sesamum indicum Pedaliaceae Sesame
131. Tilaparnika Diplocylos palmatus Cucurbitaceae Lollipop climber
132. Tindisa Abelmoschus ficulneus Malvaceae White wild musk mallow
133. Trapusa Cucumis sativus Cucurbitaceae Cucumber
134. Triparnika Naregamia alata Meliaceae Goanese ipecacuanh
135. Tumba Cucurbita lagenaria Cucurbitaceae Bottle gourd
136 Udumbara Pallava Ficus racemosa Moraceae Cluster fig
137. Upodaka Basella rubra Basellaceae Malabar spinach
138. Urubuka Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae Castor
139. Utpalakanda Kaemfera rotunda Zingiberaceae Indian crocus
140. Vamsa Bambusa arundinacea Bambusaceae Bamboo
141. Vamsha Karira Bambusa arundinacea Bambusaceae Bamboo
142. Vanathiktaka Solanum xanthocarpam Solanceae Febrifuge plant
143. Varana Crataeva magna Capparaceae Large garlic pear
144. Vartaka Solanum melongena Solanceae Brinjal
145. Vasa/Vrsa Adathoda vasica Acanthaceae Malabar nut
146. Vatsuka Chenopodium album Chenopodiaceae Wild spinach/ goosefoot
147. Vetragra Calamus rotang Arecaceae Common rattan
148. Vidari Ipomea paniculata Convolvulaceae Gaint potato
149. Visa (tender white tuber of lotus) Nelumbo nucifera Nymphaeaceae Scared lotus
150. Yavasaka Amaranthus gangeticus Amaranthaceae Elephant head amaranth

Conclusion

The Shaka Varga in terms of leaf, flower, fruit, stem and tuber are successively heavy with extensive nutritive value. Vegetables which are infested with worms, exposed to Vayu, exposed to sunlight, dried up, old and unseasonal are considered to be unwholesome. When vegetables are cooked without adding fat and when the residual water is not filtered after boiling, vegetables become unwholesome for consumption. Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Astanga Hridya emphasized on the utility and quality of Shaka to be taken. Jivanti (Holostemma adokodien) is considered as qualitatively superior and Sarsapa (Brassica nigra) is qualitatively inferior among all the Shaka Varga. The Shaka Varga is nothing but the part of Ahara (food) which provide proper nutrition to the individual and helps to prevent different diseases.

Reference

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Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2023;8(7)144