Detailed Dravyas
Ashwagandha, Asoka, Ativisha, Bakuchi
For BAMS students
Dr. Remya Krishnan MD PhD

Ashwagandha
• Botanical name – Withania somnifera
• Family- Solanaceae
• Synonyms: Turagi,Pivari, Vajigandha,
Varahakarni, Balya
• Charaka- Balya, Brimhaneeya, Madhura
skandha

Morphology
• Under shrub with erect stem
• Leaves- Entire, obovate , subacute
• Flowers- Axillary, sessile fascicled or
solitary,hermaphrodite,campanulate calyx and
corolla
• Fruits- Berry ( globose)
• Useful part – Root

Chemical constituents `
• Roots – Alkaloids –Withaferin A, Withanolide
A to Y, Withanone, Withasomniferin
A,Somnirol, Somnitol

Self work
• Write the Rasa panchaka, Doshaghna Karma,
Bheshaja karmas and Rogaghna karmas of
Ashagandha based on the evidence.
• Yogas: Ashwagandha choorna ,
Ashwagandhaavaleha , Ashwagandhaarishta

Asoka
• Saraca Asoka
• Caesalpinoideae
• Kankeli, Madhupushpa,Rakta pallava,Vanjulah
• Hema pushpa, Gatasoka
• Charaka : Kashaya skandha,
Vedanaasthaapana
• Susrutha- Lodhradi gana
• Vagbhata – lodhradi gana

Morphology
• Small evergreen tree 6-9mts high
• Bark- With warty surface,dark brown to grey, or
almost black
• Leaves- Paripinnate,15-20cms long,leaflets 6-12,
oblong or oblong lanceolate
• Flowers-In dense axillary corymbs , fragrant,
orange or orange yellow
• Fruit- Flat oblong woody pods
• Seeds- Ellipsoid, oblong, compressed seeds

Chemical constituents
• Useful part – Stem bark
• Constituents :Alkanes, Esters and primary
alcohol , n- Octacosanol, Tannin, Catachin ,
Catechol

Self work
• Write Rasa panchaka,BK and RK based on
evidence
• Yogas:Ashokaarishta, Ashoka ghrita

Ativisha
• Aconitum heterophyllum
• Ranunculaceae
• Synonyms: Aruna, Ardra,Upavisha,Pita
vallabha, Mahaushadha, Shyama kanda,Sveta
vacha
• Agryoushadha : “ Ativishaa deepaneeya
pachaneeya sangrahika
sarvadoshaharaanaam”( Cha. Su 25)

Varieties
• Vagbhata – Ativisha , Visha
• Sodhala- Shukla, Krishna , Aruna
• Madanadi Nighantu- Rakta, Shwetha,Krishna,
Peetha

• Charaka- Lekhaneeya, Arshoghna,Tikta
skandha, Sirovirechana
• Susrutha-Pippalyadi, Mustadi, Vachadi
• Vagbhata-Lekhaneeya, Arshoghna, pippalyadi,
Mustadi, Vachadi
• Adulterant: Cryptocoryne spiralis

Morphology
• Roots- Biennial, paired, tuberous, whitish or grey
• Stem- Erect, simple or branched , pubescent
above, glabrous below
• Leaves; Hetermorphous,glabrous, lowest on long
petioles , blade orbicular cordate or ovate
cordate in outline with a narrow sinus to the
middle
• Inflorescence; Slender raceme,or a lax, leafy
panicle , bluish sepals,five carpels , elliptic oblong
• Linear oblong follicles , seeds blackish brown

Self work
• Write Rasa panchaka , DK, BK and RK based on
evidence
• Prabhava - Vishahara
• Yogas: Ativishaavaleha,Dasangaagadam, Bala
chaturbhadra choorna

Bakuchi
• Psoralea corylifolia
• Pappilonaceae
• Avalguja, Kushdhaghni,Krishna phala, Somaraji
• Charaka – Tikta skandha

Varieties
• Svetha, Krishna as per Susrutha Sutra
• White variety- Medhya rasayana
Morphology
• Erect annual herb,180 cms long.
• Leaves; Broadly elliptic, inciso- dentate
• Flowers; In axillary long peduncled heads, bluish
purple or yellow
• Fruits- Indehiscent ovate pods , dark chocolate
• Seed- One smooth seed adhering to pericarp

Chemical constituents
• Useful part :Seed, powder dosage : 1-3 gms
• Constituents:Raffinose, Psoralen,
Isopsoralen,Corylifolean,Corylifolin,Psoralidin,
Isopsoralydin.

Self work
• Write Rasapanchaka , DK, BK and RK based on
evidence
• Yogas: Avalgujabeejadi choorna.

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