synonyms, which indicated the salient Ieatures oI plants, INTRODUCTION

however, IulIilled this object.

The knowledge about medicinally useIul plants in the early
The naming oI plants Iorms an extremely interesting topic
age is scientiIically documented, and systematically
with historical and cultural signiIicance. It sheds interesting
organized in Ayurveda Samhitas, Nighantus and other texts.
light upon the brisk intellectual intercourse among diIIerent
CodiIied inIormation regarding plants oI Iolklore origin is
parts oI India, and gives us an indication oI the geography oI
not documented in the classical texts oI Ayurveda. Multiple
India. The nomenclature also highlights that our ancestors
exotic plants are existent in India which are not reIerred to
had a keen sense oI observation. In Ayurveda, methodology
either in classical literature oI Ayurveda i.e. Samhitas or in
oI nomenclature is multinomial. A plant is reIerred to by
Nighantus and are commonly reIerred to as Anukta Dravya
many names. Each name describes a particular Ieature or a
(undocumented) in Ayurveda. A good number oI such
speciIic attribute oI the plant.
medicinal plants have been discretely mentioned at
numerous instances. The complete description oI such
An attempt has been made to name ten Anukta Dravya as per
medicinal plants in terms oI their pharmacodynamic
guidelines given in nighantus.
properties i.e. name, identiIication, morphology, rasa, guna,
virya, vipaka, etc. may not be available in the Ayurvedic
Objective
texts. ThereIore, there is an urgent need to Iirst demarcate,
identiIy, name these plants and then analyse them
scientiIically in terms oI rasa, guna, virya, vipaka etc. The main objective oI this study is
Simultaneously, the plants should be described botanically
i) IdentiIication oI Anukta Dravyaand
and evaluated Ior their chemical composition so that they
ii) To assign Ayurvedic name to the Anukta Dravya as
can be successIully utilised in therapeutics and documented
per theAyurvedic nomenclature.
by incorporating into Ayurvedic Materia Medica (nighantus)
Ior Iuture reIerence. The present study is a preliminary
MATERIALS & METHODS
attempt and 10 Anukta Dravya (undocumented medicinal
plants) were collected and identiIied by reIerring to
Materials:
Medicinal Ilora oI certain districts in Uttar Pradesh & by
seeking expert opinion oI plant taxonomist.
10 (ten) Anukta Dravya have been taken up as the material oI
the present study.
Nomenclature oI a substance is very essential Ior proper
identiIication and to distinguish a particular substance Irom
others. Regarding nomenclature, diIIerent scholars have put
their views in respective period as Iollows:
'Nama' (Name) is deIined by the learned as the word, which
1
Corresponding author. Research OIIicer (Ay.), Dr. A.
on being pronounced suggests some entity, and is used in
Lakshmipathi Research Centre Ior Ayurveda, VHS Campus,
alphabets.
TTTI Post, Chennai-113.
Email:
Sabdenocchaaritenehayena dravyampratiyate /
Tadaksharavidhau yuktamnametyaharmanishinaha //
2
Dean, Faculty oI Ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi-221005 Durga (Nirukta 1.1)
Email: vkjoshivnssiIy.com
There was no system oI morphological description oI plants
as done in ancient and medieval period. Coining names and
kusuma13rediIImail.com
ABSTRACT
Field survey was conducted in rural areas of Jaranasi district of Uttar Pradesh including Ramnagar,
Manduadih and surrounding areas to identify and collect information on undocumented medicinal
plants (Anukta Dravya) by direct interaction with folklore people through field survey and indirect
means by means of comprehensive survey of available literature. Local names of undocumented
medicinal plants along with other relevant information were collected, after recording local names of
medicinal plants, their botanical identification was done by comprehensive survey of literature, and
the plants were identified according to Bentham & Hookers system of classification using local
floristic works. Expert opinion of plant taxonomists was also sought for cross checking and
confirmation on identity. The freshly collected specimens were photographed for visual identification
of the species. After identification, nomenclature of 10 Anukta Dravya was done as per the criteria of
nomenclature mentioned in Nighantus.
Key words:Undocumented medicinal plants, Anukta Dravya, Botanical identification, nomenclature
.vcievt cievce of ife, 1ot. 2, ^o.1 ;2010) Page. 1 2
NOMENCLATURE OF AAUK1ADRAJYA
17
1
Ganji Kusuma
2
1oshi V. K
Methodology: On the basis oI inIormation gathered by Iieldwork
1.Following criteria has been adopted to collect primary
Comprehensive review oI books, journals and previous
data related to Anukta Dravya
research works was carried out.
Computerised search oI published and unpublished
(i) Documentation through Iolklore
works related to the study was conducted.
(ii) Comprehensive survey oI literature
2. Identification
Primary data related to Anukta Dravya were collected by
both direct and indirect means.
AIter recording local name, its botanical identiIication was
1
done. The plant was identiIied according to Bentham &
(i)Documentation through folklore (Direct means)
Hooker's system oI classiIication using local Iloristic works
like Medicinal Ilora oI certain districts in Uttar Pradesh;
InIormation with respect to 10 Anukta Dravya was gathered
8
CCRIMH, NewDelhi (1973) .
by direct means through Iield survey Irom rural areas like
Ramnagar, Manduadih and surrounding areas oI Varanasi
All relevant books available on Indian indigenous medicinal
district oI Uttar Pradesh. On reaching a village, villager's
plants were consulted Ior correct identiIication and
especially traditional healers, elderly people who were well
veriIication. Expert opinion oI plant taxonomists was also
acquainted with medicinal plants, were approached.
sought Ior cross checking and conIirmation on identity.
Rapport was established with the people oI the locality and
interviewed them. Relevant inIormation (
3. Nomenclature
on
10 undocumented medicinal plants and their local names
AIter identiIication, nomenclature oI plants in Sanskrit was
was collected Irom them. The selected plant specimens
done prior to determining the name to every plant as per the
were collected Ior the present study aIter making a critical
criteria oI nomenclature mentioned in nighantus.
observation on habit and habitat, vegetation type, etc. The
Ireshly collected specimens were photographed which
OBSERVATION& RESULTS
exhibit the details oI plant and will be helpIul in visual
identiIication oI the species.
The knowledge on 10 plant specimens during Iield studies and
through comprehensive survey oI relevant publication was
(ii) Comprehensive survey of literature (Indirect
2-12
Iurther studied Ior their correct botanical identiIication.
means)
Vernacular names oI plants corresponding to their botanical
names are presented in Table 1.
InIormation related to 10 Anukta Dravya (b
Family, native origin, habit, useIul part and therapeutic uses oI
was gathered by indirect means through
identiIied 10 anukta dravyas by literary survey have been
comprehensive survey oI literature.
presented in Table 2.
Local name,
UseIul part, Form oI use, Dosage, Vehicle, Indications)
otanical name,
English name, Iamily, morphology and chemical
composition)
NOMENCLATURE OF AAUK1ADRAJYA
18
Table-1
List of vernacular names of Anukta Dravya corresponding to their botanical names
S. No. Local Name
Locality where the
vernacular names used
Botanical Name
1. Raat ki Rani
Ramnagar
(Varanasi)
Cestrum noct urnum Linn.
2. Khogar, Khaarpat, Kai kar
Ramnagar
(Varanasi)
Garuga pinnata Roxb.
3. Aarogyappacha
Kottayam
(Kerala)
Trichopus :eylanicus Gaertn.
4. Poinsetta
Manduadi h,
(Varanasi)
Euphorbia pulcherrima Wild.ex
Klotzsch.

19 ANCIENT SCIENCE OF LIFE
5. Ban tambaku
Ramnagar,
(Varanasi)
Solanumerianthum D.Don.
6. Jonkmari
Nagwa,
(Varanasi)
Anagallis arvensis Linn.
7. Nagphool
Manduadih,
(Varanasi)
Gmelina asiatica Linn.
8. Rangoon ki bel
Nagwa
(Varanasi)
Quisqualis indica Linn.
9. Ghoda tulasi
Manduadih,
(Varanasi)
Scoparia dulcis Linn.
10. Gulabbas
Ramnagar
(Varanasi)
Mirabilis falapa Linn.

Table 2
Family, native origin, habit, useful part and therapeutic uses of the ascertained
botanical species
S.No Botanical Name Family Native origin Habit UseIul
part
Therapeutic use
1
Cestrumnocturnum
Linn.
Solanaceae
Native oI
West Indies
Shrub LeaI
Spasm,
Heart disease
2
Garuga pinnata
Roxb.
Burseraceae
Native oI East
Indies
Tree
Root,
Stem,
LeaI,
Fruit,
Gall,
Bark
Asthma,
Roundworm,
Obesity,
Eye disease,
Snake bite,
Cough,
Cold
3
Trichopus
:eylanicus Gaertn.
Trichopodiaceae
Indigenous to
India
(Endemic to
Kerala)
Herb
Unripe
Iruit,
LeaI
Fatigue,
Aging,
Debility,
Loss oI appetite
4
Euphorbia
pulcherrima
Willd.ex Klotzsch.
Euphorbiaceae
Native oI
Central
America
Shrub Latex Tumors
5
Solanum erianthum
D.Don.
Solanaceae
Native oI
West Indies
Shrub
Root,
Whole
plant
InIlammation,
Pain,
Cough,
Skin disease,
Wound, Sore,
Asthma,
Rheumatism,
Diabetes

20
NOMENCLATURE OF AAUK1ADRAJYA
6
Anagallis
arvensis Linn.
Primulaceae
Native oI
America, Europe
& West Asia
Herb
Whole
plant
Viper poison,
Fish Poison,
Epilepsy,
Mania, Hysteria,
Dropsy,
Leprosy
7
Gmelina
asiatica Linn.
Verbenaceae
Native oI East
Indies
Shrub
Whole
plant
Rheumatism,
Syphilis,
Gonorrhoea,
Burning sensation in
eye,
Fever,
Dysuria,
DandruII
8
Quisqualis
indica Linn.
Combretaceae
Indigenous to
Burma & Malay
Peninsula
Climber
LeaI,
Seed
Diarrhoea,
Fever, Worm,
inIestation,
Boil, Ulcer
Dysuria
9
Scoparia
dulcis Linn.
Scrophulariaceae Native oI America Herb
Whole
plant
Ague, Gravel,
Headache,
Toothache,
Cough, Wound, Heart
disease,
Haemorrhoids,
Dysentery, Diarrhoea
10
Mirabilis
falapa Linn.
Nyctaginaceae
Native oI Tropical
America
Herb
Root,
LeaI,
Stem,
Tuber,
Seed
Boil, Syphilis,
Abscess, Colic
Diabetes, Dropsy,
Gonorrhoea,
Itch, Sore,
Tumor

Photographs of 10 undocumented medicinal plants (Anukta dravyas) are presented
(Plate 1-10) as an evidence of study material
1. CestrumnocturnumLinn
2. Caruga pinnata Roxb
21
ANCIENT SCIENCE OF LIFE
3. 1richopus zeylanicus Gaertn
4. Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.ex Klotzsch
5. SolanumerianthumD.Don
6. Anagallis arvensis Linn
7. Cmelina asiatica Linn
8. Quisqualis indica Linn
NOMENCLATURE OF AAUK1ADRAJYA
22
9. Scoparia dulcis Linn
10. Mirabilis jalapa Linn
DISCUSSION
distinguish objects. In his work on Namarupajnan
(characterisation oI medicinal plants), he has interpreted the
Names oI ten Anukta Dravya were coined on the basis oI
word Namarupajnan in three ways.
varied criteria Irom works including Raja nighantu and
Dhanvantari nighantu, have given an outline oI the same as
1. That by which name and Iorm (oI substance) are
Iollows.
known
(Aamarupe jayate aneneti)
Ekam tu Nama prathitam bahunamekasya namani tatha
2. That which imparts knowledge oI the Iorms oI
bahuni /
substances on the basis oI names
Dravyasyafatyakritivarnaviryarasaprabhavadigunairbha
(Aamabhihi rupam jayate aneneti)
vanti //
3. That which deals with proper correlation oI names
Dhanvantari nighantu
and Iorms so that the entity can be identiIied
13
correctly
In Dhanvantari nighantu , the names oI plants, one or many
(Aamarupayoh samanjasyam jayate aneneti)
are assigned according to their habitat, Iorm,colour,
potency, taste, eIIect etc.
Apart Irom guidelines oI earlier scholars, help oI botanical
names in respect oI their origin was also considered beIore
Namani kvachidiha Rudhitaha prabhavad deshyoktya
Iinalising a Sanskrit name to a particular plant e.g., (i) the
k v a c i d i h a l a n c h a n o p a ma b h y a m v i r y e n a
botanical name oI Garuga pinnata Roxb which has been given
k v ac hi di t ar ahv ay adi de s had dr av y anami ha
a name 'Garugo' (name prevalent in a region), (ii) In case oI
saptadhoditani //
Crossandra infundibuliformis (Linn.) Nees, the genus
'Crossandra' derived Irom Greek word signiIies decorated
Raja nighantu
17
border oI anther, considering it, Sanskrit name 'Alankrita
14
kesara' (morphological character) is coined.
In Raja nighantu , seven basis oI names and synonyms oI
plants are described as Iollows:
Taking into consideration regarding nomenclature oI new
medicinal plants, the views oI earlier scholars have been
1. Rudhi (Traditional usage), e.g., Atarushaka,
honoured and an attempt has been made to coin names oI ten
Guduchi
medicinal plants, which have been presented in Table 3.
2. Prabhava(EIIect), e.g, Krimighna, Nidrari
3. Desha (Habitat), e.g., Vaidehi, Kairata
CONCLUSION
4. Lanchana (Morphological characters), e.g.,
Anukta dravya namely Cestrum nocturnum Linn, Garuga
Citratandula, Rajiphala
pinnata Roxb. Trichopus :eylanicus Gaertn, Euphorbia
5. Upama(Simile), e.g., Ajakarna, Varahikanda
pulcherrima Willd.ex Klot:sch, Solanum erianthum D.Don,
6. Jirya(Potency), e.g., Ushana
Anagallis arvensis Linn, Gmelina asiatica Linn, Quisqualis
7. Itarahvaya (Names prevalent in other regions or
indica Linn, Scoparia dulcis Linn and Mirabilis falapa Linn
have been collected by Iield survey. According to guidelines other Iactors) e.g., Indrayava, Analanama
given in Raja nighantu and Dhanvantari nighantu regarding
nomenclature oI new medicinal plants, ten anuktra dravya
16
According to Sharma, P.V (2000) name and Iorm are
were named accordingly in Sanskrit as Nishi Mahishi,
linked with each other like word and its meaning in order to
Garugo, Shaktida, Kusumapatra, Jana tambaku, Harshani,
23 ANCIENT SCIENCE OF LIFE
3. Bor, N.L. et al., 'Some BeautiIul Indian Climbers a n d Nagaprasuna, Rangunavalli, Mishtapatri and Kautuka
Shr ubs, Bombay Nat ur al Hi st or y Soci et y,
Pushpa based on diIIerent criteria mentioned in
Bombay, (1954).
nighantus like Kala, Rudhi, Karma, Lanchana, Jati,
4. Chopra, R.N. et al., 'Glossary oI Indian Medicinal
Prabhava, Upama, Desha, Rasa and Itarahvaya
Plants, NewDelhi, 1954; Supplement, (1976).
respectively.
5. Chunekar, K.C & Hota, N.P., 'Plants oI Bhavaprakash;
The Director, RAV, New Delhi, (1999).
Further, this study has revealed that there is a need Ior
6. Husain, A. et al., 'Dictionary oI Indian Medicinal
synthesis oI contemporary and Ayurvedic knowledge,
Plants; Director, CSIR, NewDelhi, (1992).
7. Kirtikar, K.R and Basu, B.D., 'Indian Medicinal which will help the Iuture generation to use Anukta
Plants; Lalit Mohan Basu, Allahabad, Vol.3, Dravya, the ignored medicinal plants oI great value. It
(1984).
was also observed that the incorporation oI these very
8. 'Medicinal Ilora oI certain districts in Uttar
popular Iolk medicines and exotic plants into Ayurveda
Pradesh; CCRIMH, NewDelhi, (1973).
and in therapeutics would Iill the gap in Ayurvedic
9. Nadkarni, K.M., 'Indian Materia Medica, Vol.1-2,
Pharmacopoeia where the classical drugs are Iacing the
Bombay, (1954).
problems oI scarcity.
10. Rastogi, R.P and Mehrotra, B.N., 'Compendium oI
Indian Medicinal Plants; CDRI, Lucknow, Vol.1,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (2002).
11. 'The UseIul Plants oI India; Publications &
InIormation Directorate, CSIR, NewDelhi.
Author sincerely acknowledge the authorities oI
12. Anonymous, 'The Wealth oI India, Vol.1-10;
National Botanical Research Institute, Herbarium
CSIR, NewDelhi, (1948).
Museum, Lucknowand Dr.N.K.Dubey, Reader, Dept. oI
13. Sharma, P.V and Sharma, G.P., "Dhanvantari
Botany/Herbarium museum, Banaras Hindu University
Nighantu"; Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi,
Ior helping in the identiIication oI diIIerent plant
(1998).
specimens collected during the Iield survey.
14. Tripathi, Indradev, "Raja Nighantu"; Krishnadas
Academy, Varanasi, (1982).
15. Vi j ayal akshmi , K & Shyam Sunder, K. M. ,
REFERENCES
'Vrikshayurveda-An introduction to Indian Plant
Science; Lok Swasthya Parampara Samvardhan
1. Katewa, S.S. et al. , 'Traditional uses oI plant
Samithi, (1993).
biodiversity Irom Aravalli hills oI Rajasthan; Indian
16. Sharma, P.V., 'Namarupajnanam; Satyapriya
Journal oI Traditional Knowledge, vol.2 (1), pp.27-
Prakashan, Varanasi, (2000).
39, (2003).
17. He r e ma n S a mu e l , ' P a x t o n ' s Bo t a n i c a l
2. Bhattacharjee, S.K.'Handbook oI Medicinal
Dictionary; Bradbury Evans & Co., London,
plants; Pointer Publishers., Jaipur, (2001).
(1868).
Table-3
List of Botanical names of Anukta Dravya along with their nomenclature
based on different criteria
S. No.
BOTANICAL NAME NOMENCLATURE CRITERIA
1.
CestrumnocturnumLinn. Nishi Mahishi Based on Kala
2.
Garuga pinnata Roxb. Garugo Based on Rudhi
3.
Trichopus :eylanicus Gaertn. Shaktida Based on Karma
4.
Euphorbia pulcherrima Will d.ex
Klotzsch.
Kusumapatra Based on Lanchana
5.
Solanum erianthum D.Don Vana tambaku Based on Jati
6.
Anagallis arvensis Linn. Harshani Based on Prabhava
7.
Gmelina asiatica Linn. Nagaprasuna Based on Upama
8.
Quisqualis indica Linn. Rangunavalli Based on Desha
9.
Scoparia dulcis Linn. Mishtapatri Based on Rasa
10.
Mirabilis falapa Linn. Kautuka Pushpa Based on Itarahvaya