Vrikshayurveda - The Science of Plant Life

By Ancient Indian Technology,

Vrikshayurveda or the science of plants is another achievement of the ancients, based on sound sense and practical knowledge. The Brihatsamhita of Varamahira devotes a chapter to the subject. One passage reads - 

'Prantacchayavinirmukta na manojna jalasayh, 

yasmadato jalaprantesvaramanviniveseyet.'

The gist is that parks and gardens are best situated along lakes and rivers. Another recommends mellow soil for plants, and suggests a means of acquiring this - 'Mrdui bhuh sarva-vrksanam hita tasyam tilan vapet, Puspitamstamsca mrdniyat karmaitat prathamam bhuvah.' Sesanum (tila) seeds should be planted and later, the flowering plant trampled into the soil. There is a verse dealing with the ideal season and stage of growth for cuttings - 'Ajatasakhan sisire Jatasakhan himagama, varsagame ca suskandha yathadiksthan praropayet' i.e. Mid-January to mid-March (the season of dews) is the season for making cuttings of plants that have not yet flowered or spread their branches. The plants with branches should be prepared for cuttings in the season of the mists, i.e, Winter (mid-November to mid-January), while those with well-grown branches should be transplanted during the rainy season. Also, the clones should be planted or mounted facing the same direction as they did on the parent tree. 

A medicament for the cloning material - 

"Ghrtosiralaksaudravidangaksiragomayaih 

amulaskandhaliptanam sankramananropanam.' 

The berries of sesanum, andropogon, and Embelia ribes (vidanga) together with cowdung are to be formed a paste of and applied. (This was a protection against fungal and other diseases). The chapter also suggests a way to ensure healthy germination and later fructification of the seed - the repeated application of oil followed by the drying of the seed in good sunlight. The oils recommended are of Alangium hexapetalum (Angola) or Cordia myxa (Slesmataka).

Brhatsamhita of Varahamihira of the sixth century also contains a chapter titled Vrikshayurveda. It also contains chapters on allied subjects such as divining groundwater, productivity and non-productivity of land as indicated by natural vegetation, etc. However, beyond establishing the antiquity of the sastra, it cannot give any definite clues to any full-fledged, independent texts onVrikshayurveda.

An anthological compilation of Sarngadharapaddhati (written by Sarngadhara), belonging to the thirteenth century, is yet another ancient text which in its chapter "Upavanavinoda" deals with an allied subject, viz., "arbori-horticulture". The chapter discusses such topics as planting, soil, nourishment of plants, plant diseases and remedies, groundwater resources, etc. Thus it shares withVrikshayurveda of Surapala almost all the topics. Many verses are identical and several others, although worded differently have identical content. In spite of the striking resemblance between Upavanavinoda and Vrikshayurveda of Surapala, the former cannot be considered as a complete and independent text on Vrikshayurveda.

Surapal's Vrikshayurveda is a systematic composition starting with the glorification of trees and tree planting. It then proceeds to discuss various topics connected with the science of plant life such as procuring, preserving, and treating of seeds before planting; preparing pits for planting saplings; selection of soil; method of watering; nourishments and fertilizers; plant diseases and plant protection from internal and external diseases; layout of a garden; agricultural and horticultural wonders; groundwater resources; etc. The topics are neatly divided into different sections and are internally correlated. The author has expressed indebtedness to the earlier scholars but claims that in writing the present text he was guided by his own reason.

A few, quick examples of plant optimization techniques from this amazing scripture:

• The scripture explains the method for increasing the fragrance of flowers. Different manures are used for different flowering plants.

• For flowering in all seasons — 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 the flowering of the plant in all seasons.

• For seedless fruits — 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 the 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.

• To purify water — The powders of gooseberry, Kataka (Strychnos potatorum), Musta (Cyprus rotundus) is added to the water to purify it.

• For wounds to the trees, the treatise recommends to apply the paste of bark of Nygrodha (Ficus bengalensis), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa), cow dung, honey and ghee.

• If a plant is burnt, it can be treated with an application of mud and paste of lotus. The irrigation should be done with water mixed with sugar, sesame and milk.

A very precise classification of plant types, soils, and techniques

The scriptures lay emphasis on the comprehension of plant taxonomy, classification and selection of soils, plant propagation techniques (through seeds, roots, cuttings, etc.), plant nourishment, plant diseases, and their management.

The various texts about the science of Vrikshayurveda are divided in precise chapters for all aspects of plant management:

• Bhoomi Niroopana — Explains the classification, fertility and selection of soil.

• Beejotpathi Vidhi — About classification and preservation of the seeds.

• Paada Vivaksha — About morphology and physiology of plants.

• Ropana Vidhi — Location of different types of plants like Vrksha, Gulma, Late etc.

• Nishechana Vidhi — About irrigation and preparation of the special organic manure called Kunapa Jala.

• Druma Raksha — About harvesting and protecting the plants.

• Taru Chikista — About the Panchabhuta and Tridosha constitution of plants, their disease and treatment.

• Upavana kriya — Maintaining herbal gardens.

• Nivasasanna Taru Shubhashubha Lakshana — Direction for planting near the houses.

• Taru mahima — About importance of plants.

• Chitreekarana — Explains techniques to change the habit, color, smell of flowers and to change the flowering seasons. In Vrikshayurveda, soils are classified based on the vegetation of plants of medicinal and economic value, the fertility of soils was also taken into account to avoid infertile land and choose soil correctly for growing plants and crops. In the 1st chapter of Vrikshayurveda by Salihotra, the types of land are described:

• Anupa desha — The land is fertile in nature with abundant water, green trees, climate suitable for the growth of plants and soil rich in natural nutrients.

• Jangala desha — The land is dry and barren. Water content in the soil is less.

• Sadharana desha — The land has moderate water, greenery and soil is having natural nutrients in moderate quantity.

The harvest of different parts of plants during various seasons is also explained so that maximum potency can be obtained from the parts:

• 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

References in scriptures

There are references to this ancient science in scriptures such as: • Brhatsamhita of Varahamihira (6th century) also contains a chapter titled Vrikshayurveda and chapters on allied subjects such as divining groundwater, productivity and non-productivity of land as indicated by natural vegetation, etc.

• Sarngadhara Paddhati (written by Sarngadhara) in its chapter “Upavana vinoda” deals with arbori-horticulture and discusses planting, soil, nourishment of plants, plant diseases and remedies, groundwater resources, etc.

• Krishi sukthi — A text on agriculture narrated by sage Kashyapa. It contains the description of eatable and uneatable substances, methodology of paddy cultivation. Period of the work is considered to be 8- 9 century A.D.

• Amarakosha — A Sanskrit lexicon of 6th century A.D, compiled by Pandit Amarasimha. Chapters like Bhoomi Varga, Vanoushadi varga give a comprehensive glimpse of the art of classification of soil, land, implements used etc.

• Krishi Parasara — This book explains agriculture depending on rainfall, seed collection, preservation and sowing.

• Arthashastra by Kautilya — It enlists the functions of the officer in charge of agriculture and his assistants, tax collection from the people based upon the agricultural output.

• Atharvaveda — The proper documentation for the plant-based pharmacopeia was started around 3000 B.C -2000B.C in the Atharva Veda with information about 300 plants.

• Agni Purana is a dedicated text signifying the importance of agricultural science.

• The Dhanwanthri Nighantu, Raja Nighantu, and Bhavaprakasha Nighantu also describe some aspects of Vrikshayurveda. Relevance of Vrikshayurveda

The ignorance of our ancient texts is responsible for the degeneration of our agricultural practices. Ancient sciences are now making a comeback, as there is a huge demand for the conservation and sustainable utilization of forest products as well as the medicinal plant sciences.

There is now a growing recognition of the need for incorporating the traditional systems to meet the limitations of both modern medicine and agriculture.

The availability of quality medicinal herbs with the desired pharmacological and biological markers has become a challenge, due to the degradation of soils worldwide. The necessity of a controlled, quality cultivation becomes significant in the sector of medicinal plants. To overcome this, the protocols and methods of Vrikshayurveda are promising.