A Compilation on AÉqÉë

INTRODUCTION
TO

AÉrÉÑuÉåïS,
SìurÉaÉÑhÉ &
AÉqÉë
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INTRODUCTION
AÉrÉÑuÉåïS
There is an intimate relation between man and nature. Man cannot survive without
Mother Nature, which has fulfilled basic needs for him and his life. Especially
biological environment, which includes plant kingdom and animal kingdom.
Almost all plants of Universe are used both as food and medicine.
Ayurveda is one of ancient systems of medicine, which is still practiced in India. In
recent years it has been a topic of interest in developing and exporting the depth of
science.
Ayurveda is combination of 2 words-
-Ayu – means life span that is from first breath to death
-Veda – Knowledge
Which in total means nature of life. The science which gives full knowledge of life
span is called Ayurveda. On the basis of “ xÉuÉïÇ SìurÉÇ
mÉÉgcÉpÉÉæÌiÉMÇü AÎxqÉlÉç AjÉåï” every material substance in the
universe is a medicine. Ayurveda has dealt with hundreds of medicines and has
also given freedom to utilize any substance as medicine which helps to alleviate
the disease. A finished medicinal product of other mineral or animal or plant origin
is said to be a Dravya, because these contain a specific quality and actions that
gives relief to patients from the sufferings. It is traditionally considered as part of
Vedas. Both Charakacharya and Sushrutacharya considered Ayurveda as an
Upaveda of Atharvaveda.
This medicinal science is as old as the Vedas. It is an outcome of practical
experiences of trial and error and careful investigations perceived by sages in
ancient days. Medicine is naturally born out of primary instinct for self
preservation. Each and every systems of medicine from various parts of world
including Indian system of medicine must have grown out of a necessity of
overcoming injury, sickness and pain. The pre historic art of selecting substances
which could be assimilated with the help of boiling, cooking, pounding, drying and
compounding and thereby not only alleviating the disease but also providing
nourishment and protection to different organs. “Ayurveda” is mainly concerned
with prolongation of healthy life and prevention of diseases and curing the diseases
or uprooting the diseases from cellular level.
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Ayurveda, the science of life was brought to earth by sage Bharadwaja. It was
recalled by Lord Brahma, and passed to Dakshaprajapathi from there to Indra and
passed to Ashwini kumaras in this way it had traveled long way. On reaching the
earth, served many living beings in attaining healthy life – According to some
scholars this science is Upaveda of Atharvaveda. It is the scientific discipline,
which was discovered and developed by our sages, in ancient times to keep the
people and themselves to live longer life free from disease, pain and sorrow and
also to attain the purusharthas – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha
The science of Ayurveda is having 8 branches viz. Kaya, Bala, Graha,
Urdhwanga, Shalya, Damstra, Jara and Vrisha. In all branches there in active
usage of drugs.
Entire science of Ayurveda is revolving around 3 Sutras and they are like 3 pillars
on which Ayurveda is built. They are –
1. Hetu or Nidana
2. Linga or Lakshana
3. Aushadha
And are for both rogi and swastha. Among these Aushadha is very important,
without which aim of Ayurveda can’t be achieved. Aushadha has become part of
treatment. It is an instrumental aid for the physician.
The drugs can be classified as Dravya, Bhutha and Adravya Bhuta according to
line of treatment.
The dravyabhuta drugs are classified into 3 types.
1. Drugs of Herbal Origin
2. Drugs of Animal Origin
3. Drugs of Mineral Origin
Among the innumerable known and unknown drugs present in this world, I have
made a humble attempt to compile details about a drug Amra.

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The study of drugs is branched into a subject known as Dravyaguna Vijnana.

Though not separately dealt as one among the Asthangas, it is having scattered
references in all its branches. Man has always been a keen observer of nature. He
observed what other animals did or ate when they got injured and then tried it on
himself and his fellow beings. At first he used the drugs as such in its raw form but
later he developed certain techniques to make drug more conducible and potent
along with it being palatable. This process is called samskara.

Then he started to quest into season for its action and disease with help of certain

parameters namely-Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka, Prabhava and Karma.

Thus actual form of Dravyaguna Vijnana came into existence along with the

development of itself based on experiences of great Acharyas while treating

different conditions.

The author of various textbooks has given classification of drugs into categories

for easy understanding. The description of drugs waslater dealt by Nighantukaras

in their Nighantus. It flourished till Muslim invasion on India. At that time there

was addition of diseases and also inclusion of drugs, which acted as medicine for

same.

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Amra is a popular fruit in use since early days. It is mentioned in Jaimineeya

Brahmana (2,156), Brihadaranyaka (4, 3, 36) and other Upanishads.

The commentator on Sankhyayana grihya sutra (1, 11, 2) calls it as “Phalottama”.
But in Ashtanga Hridaya, Draaksha is said as phalottama. Probably in earliest
times, Amra had a position much lower than that of Draksha but gradually it
occupied its due place.
Geographical factors also might have played an important role in this process.
While Rasala denotes succulent and juicy nature. Sahakara signifies magnificent
fragrance of its fruits. Sahakara was in great demand in ancient days in
perfumery.(Be.Sam.77.27). Panini has mentioned Amra (8, 4, 5) and also Patanjali
at several places (1, 1, 1; 1, 2, 45; 4, 3,155; 6, 1, 91). In classical literature the

synonyms चूत and सहकार are mostly used.

It’s a tree growing to about 20 m ht bearing clusters of yellow flowers in all over
India.
Ripened, unripened, artificially ripened and dried fruits of amra are used in various
ways and forms to attain different benefits.

EimÉÌ¨É & ÌlÉÂÌ£ü

आमः – अमयते पापयते आरोगय ब ं ल ं चअनने।

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अमयते अिििलषयते आमः ।

Historical Review

Mango is the main fruit of Asia and this fruit has developed its own importance
all over the world. Being an useful and delicious fruit, it was the part of culture
and religion since long time. Besides its fine taste and good qualities, it is called
as the king of fruits. Mango, Mangifera indica, is the natural fruit of India and
since long, it is the choicest fruit in India and abroad. This fruit has been in
cultivation in India sub-continent for well over 4000 years and has been the
favourite of the kings and commoners because of its nutritive value, taste,
attractive fragrance and health promoting qualities and now it is recognized as
one of the best fruits in the world market.
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Historical and philological facts bear that M. indica has been introduced to the
archipilogic regions of India from the mainland. The mango is said to have
originated in the Indo-Burma region (Decandolle, 1903; Popenoe, 1920;
Vavilov, 1949-50). On the basis of the presence of maximum number of allied
species growing in Malaysia, some workers are lead to believe that Malaysian
region is the original home of mango, as about 20 species are grown there.
Mango is undoubtedly under cultivation for more than 4000 years in eastern
India and Burma (Decandolle, 1904).
The mango had been introduced into certain islands of Asiatic archipelago
within the memory of living men. The name common in Philippines ‘Manga’
shows a foreign origin. Vavilov (1926) supported that mango originated in
Indo-Myanmar region. Hwen Sang, a Chinese traveller who visited India
between 632-645 AD, was the first person to take mango to outside world.
Early in fifteenth century, pish voyagers, Muslim missionaries and Portuguese
carried mango to South East Asia and Philippines. In the beginning of sixteenth
century, Portuguese introduced mango from Goa into South Africa and from
Bombay to Egypt in 1825.
Mango was introduced into western hemisphere when it was first planted in
Brazil in 1700 and thereafter, it was introduced into West Indies around 1740
(Chandler, 1958). Hayes (1957) advocated that mango was being cultivated at
the head of the Persian Gulf by sixteenth century. It was introduced in
Philippines after 1600, in the Moluccas in 1865 and in the later part of
eighteenth century (Burns and Prayag, 1921).
It is also reported that the mango was being grown in England under glass
house conditions as early as 1690 and trees at Kew were in fruiting during
1818. In Mexico, it was introduced before 1778 by the pish travellers from the
Philippines. It was cultivated in Barbados in 1742 and in Jamaica in 1782.
According to Pope (1929), it was introduced in Hawaii between 1800 and
1820.In 1809, it was carried from Mexico to Hawaii.
Mango was first planted in Florida and California in 1861 and 1880,
respectively. Later in 1889, USDA introduced grafted Mulgoba variety from
India into Florida. This genus Mangifera belongs to family Anacardiaceae,
originated in South-East Asia at an early date. According to Mukherjee (1958),
the natural spread of the genus is limited to the Indo-Malaysian region,
stretching from India to the Philippines and New Guinea in the east. There are
41 valid species of Mangifera which are distributed throughout the world.
Mukherjee (1949) observed that this genus had its origin in the continental
region of Burma, Thailand, Indo-China and Malaysia peninsula. The highest
concentration of Mangifera species is reported to be in the Malay Peninsula
followed by Sunda Islands and the eastern peninsula.
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He further reported that occurrence of wild form of M. indica, allied species M.

sylvatica and M. coloneura, fossil leaf impressions of M. pentandra and
presence of numerous varieties in India indicates that M. indica had originated
in Indo-Burma region (Mukerjee, 1958).
A few other species M. foetida, M. caesia and M. odorata are confined to
Malaysian region.
The cultivar M. khasiana recorded earlier is no longer traceable.

Synonyms & their etymology

Su
C . A Aa B Ra Sh K Ra. G Sh vri. A
ha. Sa sh. . ha. . a. ai. Chakr Ma ad. o. Ma . A.
Sa. . Hri Ni Pra Ni Sa Ni a. r Ni Ni d K M

CHUTA

RASALA

ATISOUBHE

SAHAKARA

KAMASHARA

KAMAVALLABHA

KAMANGA

KEERASTA
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MADHAVADRUMA

BHRAGABHISTA

SHEEDHURASA

KOKILOTAMA

VASANTHADOTA

AMLAPHALA

MEDHAKHYA

MANMATHALAYA

MADHVAVASA

Su
Ch . As Aa Bh Ra Sh K Ra. Ga Sh vri. A
a. Sa h. . a. . a. ai. Chakr Ma d. o. Ma . A.
Sa. . Hri Ni Pra Ni Sa Ni a. r Ni Ni d K M

SUMADANA

PIKARAGA

NRIPAPRIYA

PRIYAMBU

KOKILAVASA

MAKANDA

MADHUVRATHA

VASANTHADRU

PIKAPRIYA
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STHREEPRIYA

GANDHABANDHU

ALIPRIYA

MADIRASAVA

पयााायाः

आमः – अमायते पााापायते आाोगायं बलं च अनेन ।

It provides good health and strength.

अमायते अिििलषायते आमााः ।(िन.आ.)

Many people like this fruit.

चूतः – चायोतित ासं चूतः । (िन.आ.)

चूषायते इित वा । चषायते ासः । चूष पावे (िा.दी.)

It possess plenty of juice.

Its juice is sucked by many.
रसालः – ासमलित ासालः । अल िूषणादौ (िा.दी.)

Its taste is very much palatable and lovable.

सहकार – सहकााोऽितसौािः ।…….अित ियतं सौािमसाय। (िा.दी.)
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The plant appears beautiful with its flowers and fruits.

कामशरः
कामवललि
कामाङ
कीरेषः
मधुवदमृः
िृङािीषः
सीधुरसः
मधूली
कोिकलोतसवः
वसतदत ू ः
अमलफलः
मेदाढय
मनमथालयः
मधवावासः
सुमदनः
ििकरागः
नृििपयः
िपयमबु
कोिकलासव
(इित राजिनघनटु)
माकनदः
षटिादाितिथः
मधुवरतः
वसतदःु
ििकिपयः
सतीिपयः
गनधबनधुः
अितिपयः
(इित शबदरतावली)
मिदरासखः
(इित जटाधरः)
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Vernacular names

English: Mango tree, spring tree, cupid’s favourite, cuckoo’s joy.

Bengali: amri.

Hindi: aam, amb, aamchur.

Kannada: maavu, ambo, mavinahannu.

Malayalam: maavu, amram, chutam, mampalam, maava, manna.

Marathi: amba.

Panjabi: am, amb, mawashi.

Tamil: maanga, mau, manpalam.

Telugu: mamidi, amramu.

Arab: ambaj.

Assam: am, ghariam

Konkani: ambo.

Oria: am

Parsi: amba, naghzak, naghyak.

Santhal: ul.

Sing: makandamu, etamba, amba.

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Sindh: amb,amu

Classical categorization

Charaka:
Hridya
Chardinigraha

Pureesha sangrahaniya
Mutrasangrahaniya.

Sushrutha: Nyagrodhadi gana.

Vagbhata: Nyagrodhadi gana.

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Habit & Habitat (Morphology)

LATIN NAME: Mangifera indica
FAMILY: Anacardecea

Botanical description

A large spreading evergreen tree, up to 45 m height with a heavy doom shaped

crown, straight, stout bole and thick rough dark grey bark; leaves simple, crowded
at the ends of branches, linear-oblong or elliptic, lanceolate, acute, acuminate or
sub obtuse, flowers small, pungent odour, reddish white or yellowish green in large
many-flowered pubescent panicle, longer than the leaves, fruits large, freshly
drupes, green, orange, yellow or red in colour. Seed solitary, enclosed in a hard
compressed fibrous endocarp.
Leaves-oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, 10-30 cm long.
Flowers- small, reddish white or yellowish green, in large panicles.
Fruits- variable in form and size, green, yellowish or red, fleshy.
Seeds- solitary, ovoid-oblique, encased in a large hard fibrous endocarp.
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Tree Leaves Flowers

Fruit Seed
Distribution

Throughout India in forests up to 1200m also widely cultivated.

It occurs wide or semi-wild nearly throughout India in tropical and semi-tropical

hilly forests, particularly nullahs and ravines.

Its common in sub-tropical Himalayas, Chota Nagpur, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa,

Assam, hill forests of eastern and western Ghats, Deccan and Andaman islands.

Commonly cultivated its fruits throughout the country.

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