International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences

ISSN: 2229-3701

______________________________________________________________________ Research Paper

SOMALATA A Pioneer Herb in the entire Plant KingdomEthnopharmacological Perspective Through Vedic Literature
Sudha karayil, MalliKarjun Rao.Y, K. Veeraiah*, K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao
Department of Biotechnology ,Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India

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Abstract The plant Soma is a divine plant called Somalata in Sanskrit. The identification of the plant and its morphology, habitat and distribution are still not clearly established. It was known that there are four Soma plants in the Himalayas. The identity of the original Soma plant is still in ambiguous state. Ancient Vedic literature reveals the description of Soma plant. The Soma plant is used in Somayaga as an important ritual in Kerala, India. The plant with high medicinal properties were used by traditional healers. The knowledge is transferred through oral teachings. Lack of clear documents creates gaps in the system. This paper reviews the description of Soma plant through Vedic literature and discusses the importance of the drug in modern concept. There is a need for the extensive study of ancient literature and adopt and implement modern biotechnological techniques to study the taxonomy and medicinal properties. The literature review was done by collecting relevant information from the eminent personalities and from Journal articles and from books and from the referring RigVeda. I think the traditional knowledge of healing system and palm leaf literature study paves the way for more productive benefit. Much more extensive studies have to be carried out to get the knowledge of its identity and pharmacological properties of the plant.

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INTRODUCTION India, the Yaga Bhoomi is a land of learning. The Vedic culture that once prevailed here recorded lot of information for the future generation. That information is either lost or neglected. Vedas, which are called the store house of knowledge, has answers for many questions. It is believed that medicine is one of such area the Vedas dwell in detail. Indeed, the Vedas are the fountain head of knowledge. Entire humanity recognizes that RigVeda is the oldest. There are three Vedas called RigVeda, YajurVeda, and SamaVeda. The fourth one AthrvaVeda is the extract of all the three Vedas. AyurVeda which means Science of life is the derivative of AtharvaVeda. Yagnam, is the traditional ancient wisdom practiced by Maharshis and great saints. This is the only tradition which has undergone no change. There are different varieties of Yagnams. Of them Somayagam is one in which the holy plant called Somalata is used. The plant called Somalata is a divine plant described in Vedic literature. In Somayagam, the important ritual is Soma sacrifice called somakaryam. Soma juice was taken by the ritviks and is offered to the Agni and _______________________________________ *Address for correspondence: E-mail: sudha.karayil@gmail.com Vol. 2 (3) Jul Sep 2011 the lord Indra who is the authoritative for Soma drink otherwise called Nectar offered to God. The Soma ritual, though elaborate and consists of number of steps. Extraction of juice, collection, purification, modification, libation and consumption. It could be taken either pure or mixed with other ingredients. Number of substances are available for addition to the pure Soma juice like milk, curd, water, barely clarified butter and honey. Somayagam in which the Soma sacrifice or Somahuti is performed by the traditional kerala Namboothiris, in Panjal, Thrissur dt, Kerala, was witnessed. The Athiraathra Yagam was held here between April 4th and 15th, 2011. It was after long gap of 35 years (1978) the Athiraathram was conducted again in Panjal. In 1978, Mr Frits Staal, an Indologist and Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and South/Southeast Asian Studies at the University of California, was instrumental in organizing the Athiraathram. . AGNI The Vedic Ritual of the Fire Altarby Frits Staal, which is considered as an authentic record of Athirathram held at Panjal in 1975. The Yaga is considered the ultimate invocation of Vedic scriptures for universal

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International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences harmony. Different types of medicinal plants were used as havis in yagnam. Indra (inda-fuel, ratransfer of energy) the lord of Gods was invoked by chanting Vedic mantras and offering Somaras to the homagundam.., For performing yaga the plant was bought from the Kollengode palace, Plakkad district, Kerala. It was believed that The Raja of Kollengode traditionally obliged to supply the Soma stems for Vedic Yagas. It is a tradition which is still continuing in Kerala. In my research I had an interaction with the organizers of Yaga to know about the plant used in the ceremony and its importance in vedic age and in modern medicine. The authoritative people of Yaga one Sri Krishnan Naboothiri in Kerala, described that the plant or the creeper that was collected from the Kollengode palace and temple is the Soma plant because they were believed from their ancestral parents and forefathers were believed that the plant which is collected from the Sahya mountains and near Kollengode forest areas and from the palace itself is the original plant using years back. In the ritual the Namboothiris used to drink Soma juice thrice a day. They were asked the taste and the properties of the juice they are drinking; I get the information that it is little bitter and sharp taste. It is not hallucinogenic, not alcoholic nor intoxicating. It keeps the Soma drinker awake acts a stimulant (RV9.50.1). Macdonell and Keith ,1912 described the Soma-Rasa. Somalata is also called moon-plant as it has interaction with the moon. Soma means Moon, generator of medicinal properties in plants. a. According to Veda the plant is celestial origin and it was believed that the original soma plant was extinct in the Vedic time. Soma lata was described as an ancient plant in Rigveda. The Veda describes Soma plant as the Lord of medicinal herbs (Oshadiraj). This is the pioneer plant in the entire plant kingdom. The Soma plant was a leafless creeper came from the mountains (RigVeda 9th Mandalam). Both 9th and 10th mandala of Rigveda describes the holy herb and its properties called Somapavamana. The juice was extracted from the shoots or stalks, never from the fruits. There must still have been some memory of the original plant and at the same time, it was believed that the original Soma became a mythical plant in the Vedic period itself and the Somalata is replaced by substitutes.

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because he has drunk some. (RV9.36.2; 9.44.3; 9.106.4). Mostly 9th and 10th mandala describes about Soma drink and the characteristic feautures of the plant ( Padhy and Dash, 2001,2002) Soma is called an ancient plant (RV9.36.3, RV9.98.11). A very important characteristic feauture of the Soma plant is that it was sweet-scented, (RV 9.97.19; 9.107.2 RV 9.61.9, RV 9.62.7, RV9.62.20, RV 9.67.8, 9.66.25, 26). An important piece of information is that Soma grew in the mountains and it is mentioned in many places in RigVeda and YajurVeda, thus Soma is called ParvathivrdhMountain grown (RV 9.62.4), (RV9.46.1). The plant is a creeper semi shrub, leafless or reduced leaves with milky secretions (c.f. Hillebrant, 1891). In Rigveda it was clearly stated that the plant is green in colour (Haritha varnam) (RV 9.38.2, 6, RV9.37.2, RV 9.7.6) and Aruna Varnam (Red Colour) (RV9.40.2) It was reported that the plant was Xerophyte as it grows in hills and mountain ranges (RV 9.62.4). The plants were found in Himalayas and the Mount Arbhuda, and Sahya mountains. The plant also mentioned as hyrophyte as it grows in the wet places and near the Sindhu river and Maanas lake in the Kashmir. The geographical status of the plant is that the plant was grown in Kerala (Kirtikar K R and Basu B D, 2001), Bengal, TamilNadu especially in dry rocky hill places in Madhurai, Palani, Palakkad in Kerala. In the AtharvaVeda, the hymns (3.21.10) stated that the mountains are called Somaparvatha- carrying Soma on their back). I t was thought that the Soma was found on Mujavat mountains. It was believed that the plant was myth. A creeper called putika used as substitute for Soma (Tandya maha Brahmana 9.5.1-3). There must still have been some memory of the original plant and at the same time, the original Soma became a mythical plant. I consider that the plants name and properties were described in the Vedas and in the Indian system of medicine as holy herb (Oshadiraja) it has its place in pre Vedic period also. From the period, the knowledge is transferred. The description of Soma plant can be traced in 9th and 10th mandala especially Somapavamana and in some other places in 7th and 8th mandala. Soma lata is a celebrated plant in the Rigveda as well as in Zend Avesta. Significance of the Soma cult is an apparent from the fact that the Rigveda devotes 9th and 10th mandala to it. Indo-Europeans and the IndoIranians are the only ones who took to compassing and preserving hymns

Vedic Discription of Somalata: In the Rigveda it was described as (RV4.27.3; 9.72.2), an eagle or falcon brings it to the earth. It was stated in (RV 9.95.5; 9.107.18) as that soma is the procreater of thoughts. We have some object specific physical characteristics like Soma prevents sleep, it keeps the Brahma the Eternal Creator, composed Ayurveda drinker awake and alerts. It was stated in RV as a branch of AtharvaVeda . Ayurveda- Ancient (8.92.33) Soma is Jagrrvi (awake). Indra is awake, Vol. 2 (3) Jul Sep 2011 www.ijrpbsonline.com 978

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences Science of Life is believed to be prevalent for the last 5000 years in India. A hundred thousand verses in a thousand chapters Divided by him into eight limbs or parts. The history of native Indian medical science is probably as old as the Indus Valley Civilization dating back to 3000 BC. Reference to diseases, herbs and herbal cures can be seen in all the four Vedas especially in Rigveda. AyurVeda, known as fifth Veda describes hundres of herbs and medicinally important plants, its morphology, habitat and importance in healing system. Ayurvedic drugs are rightly called the elixers of life. Ayurvedic herbs played important role in health treatment from ancient time to this most modern time. The Atharvan hymns chanted for the cure of diseases were known as Bhaishajyams and those for attaining longevity and prosperity were called Ayushyams .These hymns,especially Ayushyams are considered as the foundation of later medical advancements The emergence of different schools of Sanskrit philosophy like Nyaya ,Vaisheshika, Sankhya , Yoga, Vedanta and Mimamsa was another landmark in the history of Indian medicine.

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reference was given by eminent scholar in Puranas and Puranic studies, Historian, Lecturer in Telugu, Spiritural writer and Journalist, Dr. Yallapragada Mallikarjun Rao, Guntur dt, Andhra Pradesh. I personally feel some misconceptions also run along in an independent research when, the scholar interprets the verses or hymns of Veda in their own way. I consider that the plants name and properties were described in the Vedas and in the Indian system of medicine as holy herb (Oshadiraja) it has its place in pre Vedic period also. Ethnopharmacological view:

Somalata the plant with high medicinal properties is used in rejuvenation, Vajikaranam and Vitality (RV 10.25 4, 5, RV 9.63.1, 2, RV 9.62.11, RV 9.7.7. RV 9.8.1) and it acts as a stimulant (RV 9.50.1) and not a hallucinogen. It gives longevity of life and it protects from diseases and death (RV9.67.3). The plant is used as drug in heart diseases and psychosomatic disorders. One of the main contributions of Somalatha is believed to be its use Susrutha and Charaka and Kashyapa Samhitas are in rasayana chikista (the science of potency) that is the ancient classical compilations for references. Kayakalpa chikilsa, (RV 10.25.3) the kaya means The Somalata is also called as Moon plant as its body and kalpa means treatment, completing growth depends upon the moon Susrutha Samhita rejuvenating the body with the juice of holy herb. describes there are about 24 varieties of Soma plants The process of aging causes the body to lose its and 18 types of substitutes of Soma varieties juices and fluids and there fore, wither. With the classified according to their habitat, morphology help of rasayana, one can retain, regain or enhance and potency. A general charactersitc feauture of ones youth, strength, stamina and health, virility Somalata that the plant possess bulb. The plant is a (RV 10.25.4,5) (RV 9.66.21) The rasayana chikilsa creeper, shrub and secrets milky juice. The growth is a small version of kayakalpa chikilisa mainly of the plant depends upon the lunar phases of the aimed for complete rejuvenation of body. It is a moon. The leaf develops one by one during treatment of reversal of complete metabolic activies Suklapaksha and become 15 leaves on fullmoon and of body and it helps in complete detoxification of subsequently lose leaves one by one during the body. The treatment can be done in India only Krishnapaksha and it remains leafless stump at because such rare herbs are finding in India only. Amaavaasyaa that is no moon day (RV10.27.2). The The Susrutha samhita says that the God created plant with 15 leaves which appeared one per day soma to prevent the death and decay of the body. during the waxing moon and dropped off one by one The richest and ancient system of Indian medicine is during waning moon. It is well described in Ayurveda which is the extract of Atharvaveda Susrutha Samhita. (SS IXXX.20, 21, 22) But as far describes the entire system of rasayana chikilsa. The as botanical point of view it has to be proved Soma rasa which made from soverign herbs that whether the leaf or stem is growing according to the grows in mountains in India. By this rasayana lunar phases. What ever information available about chikista one can replenish the quality and quantity Somalatha comes from the ancient texts and of the body fluids. In the Ayurvedic texts especially classical compendiums of Indian Ayurveda. Though in the branch called AyurVeda Rasayana vidhi, it is the Vedas reveal the importance of the plant and its described that the tuber of the plant is pierced with nature, lack of clear documentation of the literature golden needles and the juice or latex is extracted from pre historic age and its Sanskritised form and it is used in the treatment especially in makes it difficult for interpretation for the kayakalpa chikista. The information and reference researcher to go ahead. Not only the Vedas but the for this knowledge is obtained from a very eminent several Puranas also supports the importance of physician of AyurVeda, Dr. Cheriya Narayanan Somalatha as Puranas describes some references. Namboothiri, from Vaidhyamadam, Thrissur One such reference is in Devi Bhagavatam, 11th District in Kerala, whose family practiced the Skandam describes about Somalata and its traditional and ancient system of medicine from importance in healing system. The literature and more than 100 years. Vol. 2 (3) Jul Sep 2011 www.ijrpbsonline.com 979

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences

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Modern Concept: The eminent taxonomist, William Roxburgh identified soma plant as Asclepia acida (Sarcostemma species) belongs to the family Asclepidiceae. I.G. Baker, an eminent Botanist expressed that the medical texts cited by Maxmuller clearly refers to Sarcostemma as Soma as far as his perception is concerned (c.f. Hillbrandt, 1891). In course of time researcher tried to identify Soma plant with Ephedra, a gymnosperm. The tender twigs are enriched with an alkaloid Ephedrine which is soluble in water, colourless, odourlesss and gets decamped even when exposed to air. It stimulates nervous system. It was reported that India is not its natural habitat. E. foliate grows in the plants of South Panjab and Rajastan. Wasson, 1972 reported that Amanita muscaria is Somalata which was hallucinogen. One question is how the plant can be a mushroom based on any one criteria or parameter like hallucinogen or alcoholic? Because it is clearly stated in Vedic texts that it is a plant with green colour, secreting milk, grows in the mountains and in rivers. It can be a Xerophyte and Hydrophyte. It may adopt different climatic conditions and it extends its habitat to different geographical places. North America use Amanita as a narcotic drug. In Manusmruthi, (Padhy et al., 2001) clearly mentioned that the mushroom was a prohibited food for humans. So the position of Soma is not free from objection (Dash and Padhy, 1997). It was believed that the Botanical name of the plant is Sarcostemma acidum. But in Staals reference mentions that it is Sarcostemma brevistigma. The plant I found is one is a cylindrical creeper, leaf less stem like with milky latex with terminal white flower. The other plant is having small leaflet creeping stem with violet flowers. There is scope for the study of its identification and habitat still there lays an ambiguity in their identification. There is scope for ethnobotanical studies as the plant in its taxonomic level, REFERENCE 1. Dash SK and Padhy, SN: Mushrooms as prohibited food in Manusmruti vis--vis Amanita muscaria. As Vedic Soma plant, Ethnobotany, 9 (1&2): 129(1997). Dash SK and Padhy, SN: Ethnobiological studies from Manusmruti: V. Concept of Somarasa and dictum against Suraa. J. Hum. Ecol., 9(3): 273-276 (1998)

morphological studies, phytochemical studies and socio cultural point of view as it is traditional plant. As it is a rare plant the plant has to be protected and conserved by adopting the tissue culture techniques It also shows the importance of research in ethnobotanical studies in Indo-Iranian and IndoAryan civilization and culture in related to botany and medicine and their practices. A number of works are going on about the identification of somalata and its highly potential medicinal properties. But till today there is no such effective, clear evidence for the plants properties. There is a need for an extensive study of the habitat of the plant and the botanical identification of the plant, its characteristic features and medicinal properties. In my research I am searching more information and the identity of the plant and its habitat. It was known that there were four plants of soma in Himalayan region. In view of interest an attempt has been made to study the ethnopharmacalogical properties of this rare plant. I found two of the four plants but the taxonomic classification is still in ambiguous state. The morphology and habitat of the two plants are different. There were different theories about its name and habitat. No single idea and statement is not ignorable about this particular creeper. I think the traditional knowledge of healing system and palm leaf literature study paves the way for more productive benefit. Much more extensive studies have to be carried out to get the knowledge of its identity and pharmacological properties of the plant. ACKNOWKEDGEMENT: Thanks are due to Sri Dr. Cheriaya Narayanan Namboothiri Vaidhyamatam, Kerala, Sri Totathil Krishnan Namboothirri, Thrissur district, Kerala, and Sri Dr. Yellapragada Mallikarjun Rao, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, Prof. Manilal, Kerala, Dr. and Rajan Chungath, Kerala for healthy interaction and information.

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International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences 5. Kochhar, R., Vedic People: Their History and Geography, Orient Longman, New Delhi (1999). Mac Donell, AA and Keith, AB.: Vedic Index of Names and Subjects (3rd Reprint, 1967) Vol.II, Motilal Banarasi Dass, Delhi-PatnaVaranasi (1912). Manilal KS Emeritus Professor, Hortus Malabaricus Project, Malbar Botanical Garden, Personal Communication. 18.06.11. Dr. Vayidhyamatam Cheriya Narayanan Namboothiri, Physician in AyurVeda, Vaidhyamatam Aur Vaidhya sala, Thrissur, Kerala. Personal Communication. 18.04.11 & 22.04.11. 9.

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Padhy SN and Dash SK: Quset for the Vedic Plant Soma. Paper presented in D.U.B.S., Golden Jubilee Symposium on Biotechnological Innovations in Conservation and Analysis of Plant Diversity. Feb.7-9, Delhi University (2001): Full paper published in the Botanica, 52: 93-100(2002). 10. Padhy SN and Dash SK, and Mohaptra, R, The Vedic Soma Plant, how much Ethnobotanical ? An Introspetive Review, Ethnobotany, 13: 4559 (2001) 11. Wasson RG: The Devine Mushroom of Immortality. In: P.T. Furst (Ed.): Flesh of the Gods. Praeger, N.Y., 185-200 (1972).

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