Medico-historical study of "asvattha" (sacred fig tree).

Asvattha (Ficus religiosa Linn.) is a tree which has got mythological, religious and medicinal importance in Indian culture since ancient times. As per Vedic Index Asvattha means horse stand, a place or site or an object where or under which horses stand. Asvattha is also known as Pipal and Bodhidrma. This tree is the oldest depicted tree in India. In Vedic times it was used to make fire by friction and considered sacred. Atharvaveda associates it with the third heaven. It discusses medicinal properties of Asvattha along with Soma and Kustha. Asvattha is associated with the triad of Gods-Brahma, visnu and siva. Reference to Asvattha is found in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavadgita, Buddhistic literature, Arthasastra, Puranas, Upanisads etc. non-medical literature also. According to Ayurveda it has several synonyms. Most of them symbolize its sacredness. Asvattha is useful in various ailments like consumption, vomiting, ulcers in oral cavity, burns, gynaecological problems etc. Thus its medico-historical importance, regional nomenclature, morphological features in brief etc. are being presented in this article with few illustrations.

Biography of Sodhala and his contribution to Ayurveda.

Sodhala was a scholar of Ayurveda as well as sahitya, Jyotisya, Vyakarana and also a good poet who belongs to Gujarat. Sodhala contributed two important works to Ayurveda literature namely 1. Sodhbala nighantu, 2. Gadanigraha. Sodhala nighantu consists of two parts and contains about 2,050 (790+1,260) verses. The section on synonyms, the Namasangraha, and the other one is on properties and actions of drugs, the Gunasangraha. The arrangement of the material constitutes an unprecedented innovation in the literature of Nighantu (Ayurveda drug's lexicons or dictionaries). The Gadanigraha is composed of two distinct parts and contains about 10,054 (2,700+7,354) verses. The first part is a collection of formulae arranged according to the several types of pharmaceutical preparations and the second one is a comprehensive text dealing with both Nidana and cikitsa, arranged as for the Astangas (8 major divisions) of Ayurveda. The work seems to be later than Sodhalanighantu because most of the drugs mentioned in this work are not found in the Sodhalanighantu. The diseases are arranged in systematically, which is a new feature and their order is differ from Madhavanidana. From the available evidences we can assume that Sodhala might be belongs to 1200 A.D. The contributions of Sodhala are noteworthy and they are important landmark works in history of Ayurveda.

Diet, dietetics and flora of the Holy Bible.

The study of history of medical science from non-medical sources needs no apology. At first the discussion of what was thought in the past rather than what is known now appears to be of merely antiquarian value. The knowledge of Diet, Dietetics, medicinal plants dates back to the remote antiquity of mankind. The Hebrews can be proud of having preserved in the Old Testament many old medical practices and traditions, which throw light on ancient medicine. The Bible is genuinely documented book representing the wisdom, medical knowledge and the culture, of a nomadic race. This article contains information of some medicinal plants, which are useful for treating different kinds of ailments and some with nutritious qualities.

Introduction to Garudapurana with reference to Ayurveda.

The Puranas are the encyclopedic works of the ancient and medieval Hindu religion, philosophy, history, politics, ethics, sciences etc. There are 18 (Astadasa) puranas, which are, considered as mahapuranas, among which Garudapurana is popular one. The Garudapurana is divided into two parts viz., Purvakhanda and Uttarakhanda. The first part, which is also called Acarakhanda consists of 240 chapters. The greater part of the Purvakhanda occupies the descriptions of Vratas (religious observances), sacred places dedicated to the Surya (sun), Lord Siva and Lord Visnu. It also contains treatises on various aspects like astrology, palmistry, politics, Sankhya, Yoga, anatomy, precious stones and extensive information on vedic medicine i.e., Ayurveda. The Uttarakhanda consists of two khandas viz. Dharmakhanda and Brahmakhanda, which are divided into 42 and 29 chapters, respectively. The Dharmakhanda is also known as the Pretakalpa which contains directions for the performance of obsequies rites. The Pretakalpa portion of the Garudapurana is generally recited during the period of mourning and so its importance is self-evident. It is almost impossible to narrate within such a small framework, the wide range of splendid truths scattered in the pages of this noble puranam. Little information is available from internal evidence to establish its exact period. However, it is supposed to be quite ancient in its origin.

Palasa (Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub.) and its medico-historical study.

Palasa (Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub.) is considered sacred both by Hindus and Buddhists. It is known to the Hindus under the Sanskrt name Palasa as it possesses valuable medicinal properties. This sacred tree is being called the treasurer of the gods and of sacrifice. It grows throughout India except in very arid parts and is a medium sized deciduous tree. Parts used are bark, leaf, flower, seed and gum. It is mainly useful as antihelmenthic appetizer, aphrodisiac, laxative etc. Thus its medico- historical aspects are being presented in this paper.