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Equally important is the preservation and growth of the plant kingdom for the
benefit of the mankind.
India is a nation having rich knowledge regarding its ethnic methods of
farming, agriculture, horticulture. It still continues to be dependent on natural
rains for its agricultural needs. The country has been blessed with a vast
forest area which is fast dwindling. The importance of preservation of plant life
and their proper growth is a science which the ancient sages knew. The
knowledge regarding plants include deep understanding of the relationship of
plants with other plants and animals, soil moisture ,temperature and other
geological phenomenon. Approximately about ten thousand different plant
species are found in India out of which about 5000 are having medicinal
properties and about 2500 different plants have been used as food.
The proper documentation for the plant based pharmacopoeia was started
around 3000 B.C -2000B.C in the Atharva Veda with information about 300
plants.
Vriksha Ayurveda, a component of Agnipurana, an ancient Indian scripture,
is a dedicated text signifying the importance of agricultural science.
Vrikshayurveda means the science of plant life, mainly dealing with various
species of trees and their healthy growth and productivity. It suggests that
planting of trees is a mean to attain the four components of life i.e. Dharma,
Artha, Kama and Moksha. This holistic approach of the science enabled the
proper cultivation and care needed for the growth of plant kingdom. In Vriksha
Ayurveda, the cultivation of about 170 plant species are described including
water management, soil conservation, fertilizers used to cultivate the plants,
the various diseases affecting the plants and their treatment.
The various texts describing about Vriksha Ayurveda are-
Kadali (Banana plant) should be planted after smearing the root with cow
dung and should be watered well.
Small trees should be transplanted by day time after smearing the root with
honey, lotus fibre, and ghee. Big trees should be transplanted during the
evening with their roots covered.
The fruits yielding trees should be planted with a gap of 6-9 meters for better
yield.
The earth containing the black colored soil is the most fertile land for
cultivation.
Watering the plants- The book mentions about the time for watering the
plants according to the season.
Newly planted trees- Both in the morning and evening.
Hemantha, Sisira ( Winter)- On alternate days
Vasantha (Spring)- Daily
Grishma(Summer)- Once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
Sharat (Autum) – When there is no rain fall; fill the circular ditch under the tree
with water.
Different seasons were explained for the cultivation of different fruits and
vegetables.
Increase in size and yield- To increase the size of vegetables, fruits like
orange, mango, pomegranate etc. milk mixed with fertilizer of sesame,
remnants of meat and fish should be poured around the plant after the
flowering is seen.
Increase the fragrance- The book explains about the method to be adopted
for increasing the fragrance of flowers. Different manures are used for
different flowering plants.
Diseases effecting the plants- The diseases effecting the plants can be
grouped into-
Exogenous- Disease caused due to worm infestation, insect attack, trees
affected by fire, cold winds, trees struck by lightning.
Endogenous- Similar to human beings, plants are also affected by vitiation of
Vata, Pitta or Kapha doshas.
Treatment for the diseases- For exogenous causes, the treatment is given
according to the affected part and the causative factor.
In worm infestation-Irrigate the plant with cold water for seven days and
apply cow dung mixed with water, milk and kunapa jala. Alternately, apply
mixture of white mustard, vacha (Acorus calamus), kusta (Saussurea luppa)
to the affected part of the plant.
Suffered by heat- Sprinkling the plant with kunapa jala and milk.
If branch fall –Apply paste prepared with mixture of honey and ghee (clarified
butter) and sprinkle with milk and water.
If plant dries due to bad soil– Remove the soil and replace healthy soil and
sprinkle with milk and water.
Drying due to lack of water-Irrigate the plant with milk mixed with water and
properly fomented crab shells.
Wounds to the trees – Apply the paste of bark of Nygrodha (Ficus
bengalensis), Udumbara (Ficus glomerata), cow dung, honey and ghee.
Burn treatment– If a plant is burnt, it can be treated with application of mud
and paste of lotus. The irrigation should be done with water mixed with sugar,
sesame and milk.
Water used for cleaning fish, rice can be used for irrigation of plants. This
cures many diseases of the plants and keeps them healthy.
For endogenous cause, the treatment to the plant is given according to the
vitiation of the dosha.
Vata Dosha:
Features: The plant become lean, deformed, appearance of knots and
globules on trunks or leaves, fruits become hard and less juicy.
Treatment: Irrigation with flesh and fat of animals along with ‘kunapa jala’
followed by fumigation with Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica)
Pitta Dosha:
Features: The plant find difficult to withstand the sun rays, yellowish
discoloration of leaves, frequent shedding of branches, bearing of premature
fruits.
Treatment: Irrigation with decoction of Yasti madhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra),
Maduka (Madhuca indica) and milk mixed with honey, fumigation with honey
and ghee to the affected part of the plant.
Kapha Dosha:
Features: The branches and leaves become glossy, all parts of the plant are
surrounded by creepers.
Treatment: Apply decoction prepared from herbs like Apamarga (Achyranthes
aspera), Pippali (Piper longum). The roots of affected trees are applied with
cake of white mustard and irrigate with Tila kshara (ash of sesame plant)
mixed water.
Collection of different parts of plants based upon various seasons has
been explained so that maximum potency can be obtained from the part:
Flowers and Fruits- During their flowering and fruiting season
Leaves and Branches- During rainy season or spring
Roots – During summer or late winter
Bark, Stem- Early winter
Some other interesting points told in the text are-
For flowering in all season– Mixture of Sesame oil cakes, Vidanga
(Embelia ribes), sugar cane juice and cow dung is sprinkled to the root of a
plant. This practice enables flowering of the plant in all the seasons.
For seedless fruit– Paste of Yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), sugar,
Kustha (Saussurea luppa), flowers of Madhuka (Madhuca indica) is applied to
the root of a tree to produces seedless fruit.
For dwarf variety– A plant grown in a pit supported with four pillars
erected close to the roots and irrigated carefully with milk grows into a dwarf
variety.
To control weed– The cut branches of Arka (Calotropis procera) are
kept at the entrance of rain water channel. This method minimizes weed
population if repeated for several times during rainy season.
Paddy pest control– Cactus milk is poured into the water inlets of the
paddy field to control the pests and insects in paddy field.
To prevent flower and fruit drop: Asafoetida is applied on the root of
the plant and a fine bandage cloth is tied around it. It is used to prevent flower
and fruit dropping.
Treatment of termites-8-10 Kg of Arka (Calotropis procera) is soaked
in water for about 24 hours and filtered. This liquid is poured on termite
infested soil to kill the termites.
Enable fruit and flower drop: Any plant will drop its flower or fruit if it is
irrigated with decoction of kulattha (horse gram) or salt water.
To purify water: The powders of gooseberry, kataka (Strychnos
potatorum), musta (Cyprus rotundus) is added to the water to purify it.
Ancient India had achieved great advancements in agricultural technology.
The seed selection , selection of soil, classification of diseases, management
for various diseases, techniques like bonsai, production of seedless fruits ,
alteration in fruits and flowers clearly indicate that level of knowledge and
scientific use was high.
Indian scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose had discovered the plant physiology
using his own invention, the Crescograph, to measure plant response to
various stimuli, thereby scientifically proving parallelism between animal and
plant tissues. Further scientific validation or researches are needed to
promote the knowledge of Vriksha Ayurveda to enable the healthy flourishing
of plant kingdom and mankind.
List of References:
Vrikshayurveda by Dr. Srikrishna Jugunu, Chaoukambha Sanskrit
Series, Varanasi.
Upavana vinoda , Published by The Indian Research Institute, Kolkata.
Surapala Vrikshayurveda, English translation by Dr.Nalini Sadhale.
Author:
Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D
E mail: drprashanthbk@gmail.com