International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences ISSN: 2229-3701

______________________________________________________________________ Research Paper

SOMALATA – A Pioneer Herb in the entire Plant Kingdom-

Ethnopharmacological 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
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

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

Vol. 2 (3) Jul – Sep 2011 www.ijrpbsonline.com 977

 International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences ISSN: 2229-3701
harmony. Different types of medicinal plants were because he has drunk some. (RV9.36.2; 9.44.3;
used as havis in yagnam. Indra (inda-fuel, ra- 9.106.4). Mostly 9th and 10th mandala describes
transfer of energy) the lord of Gods was invoked by about Soma drink and the characteristic feautures of
chanting Vedic mantras and offering Somaras to the the plant ( Padhy and Dash, 2001,2002) Soma is
homagundam.., For performing yaga the plant was called an ancient plant (RV9.36.3, RV9.98.11). A
bought from the Kollengode palace, Plakkad very important characteristic feauture of the Soma
district, Kerala. It was believed that The Raja of plant is that it was sweet-scented, (RV 9.97.19;
Kollengode traditionally obliged to supply the Soma 9.107.2 RV 9.61.9, RV 9.62.7, RV9.62.20, RV
stems for Vedic Yagas. It is a tradition which is still 9.67.8, 9.66.25, 26). An important piece of
continuing in Kerala. information is that Soma grew in the mountains and
it is mentioned in many places in RigVeda and
In my research I had an interaction with the YajurVeda, thus Soma is called Parvathivrdh-
organizers of Yaga to know about the plant used in ‘Mountain grown’ (RV 9.62.4), (RV9.46.1). The
the ceremony and its importance in vedic age and in plant is a creeper semi shrub, leafless or reduced
modern medicine. The authoritative people of Yaga leaves with milky secretions (c.f. Hillebrant, 1891).
one Sri Krishnan Naboothiri in Kerala, described In Rigveda it was clearly stated that the plant is
that the plant or the creeper that was collected from green in colour (Haritha varnam) (RV 9.38.2, 6,
the Kollengode palace and temple is the Soma plant RV9.37.2, RV 9.7.6) and Aruna Varnam (Red
because they were believed from their ancestral Colour) (RV9.40.2)
parents and forefathers were believed that the plant
which is collected from the Sahya mountains and It was reported that the plant was Xerophyte as it
near Kollengode forest areas and from the palace grows in hills and mountain ranges (RV 9.62.4).
itself is the original plant using years back. In the The plants were found in Himalayas and the Mount
ritual the Namboothiris used to drink Soma juice Arbhuda, and Sahya mountains. The plant also
thrice a day. They were asked the taste and the mentioned as hyrophyte as it grows in the wet
properties of the juice they are drinking; I get the places and near the Sindhu river and Maanas lake in
information that it is little bitter and sharp taste. It the Kashmir. The geographical status of the plant is
is not hallucinogenic, not alcoholic nor intoxicating. that the plant was grown in Kerala (Kirtikar K R
It keeps the Soma drinker awake acts a stimulant and Basu B D, 2001), Bengal, TamilNadu especially
(RV9.50.1). Macdonell and Keith ,1912 described in dry rocky hill places in Madhurai, Palani,
the Soma-Rasa. Somalata is also called moon-plant Palakkad in Kerala. In the AtharvaVeda, the hymns
as it has interaction with the moon. Soma means (3.21.10) stated that the mountains are called
Moon, generator of medicinal properties in plants. a. Somaparvatha- carrying Soma on their back). I t
According to Veda the plant is celestial origin and it was thought that the Soma was found on Mujavat
was believed that the original soma plant was mountains. It was believed that the plant was myth.
extinct in the Vedic time. Soma lata was described A creeper called putika used as substitute for Soma
as an ancient plant in Rigveda. The Veda describes (Tandya maha Brahmana 9.5.1-3). There must still
Soma plant as the Lord of medicinal herbs have been some memory of the original plant and at
(Oshadiraj). This is the pioneer plant in the entire the same time, the original Soma became a mythical
plant kingdom. The Soma plant was a leafless plant.
creeper came from the mountains (RigVeda 9th
Mandalam). Both 9th and 10th mandala of Rigveda I consider that the plant’s name and properties were
describes the holy herb and its properties called described in the Vedas and in the Indian system of
Somapavamana. The juice was extracted from the medicine as holy herb (Oshadiraja) it has its place in
shoots or stalks, never from the fruits. There must pre Vedic period also. From the period, the
still have been some memory of the original plant knowledge is transferred. The description of Soma
and at the same time, it was believed that the plant can be traced in 9th and 10th mandala
original Soma became a mythical plant in the Vedic especially ‘Somapavamana’ and in some other
period itself and the Somalata is replaced by places in 7th and 8th mandala. Soma lata is a
substitutes. celebrated plant in the Rigveda as well as in Zend
Avesta. Significance of the Soma cult is an apparent
Vedic Discription of Somalata: In the Rigveda it from the fact that the Rigveda devotes 9th and 10th
was described as (RV4.27.3; 9.72.2), an eagle or mandala to it. Indo-Europeans and the Indo-
falcon brings it to the earth. It was stated in (RV Iranians are the only ones who took to compassing
9.95.5; 9.107.18) as that soma is the procreater of and preserving hymns
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 ISSN: 2229-3701
Science of Life is believed to be prevalent for the reference was given by eminent scholar in Puranas
last 5000 years in India. A hundred thousand verses and Puranic studies, Historian, Lecturer in Telugu,
in a thousand chapters Divided by him into eight Spiritural writer and Journalist, Dr. Yallapragada
limbs or parts. The history of native Indian medical Mallikarjun Rao, Guntur dt, Andhra Pradesh.
science is probably as old as the Indus Valley
Civilization dating back to 3000 BC. Reference to I personally feel some misconceptions also run
diseases, herbs and herbal cures can be seen in all along in an independent research when, the scholar
the four Vedas especially in Rigveda. AyurVeda, interprets the verses or hymns of Veda in their own
known as fifth Veda describes hundres of herbs and way. I consider that the plant’s name and properties
medicinally important plants, its morphology, were described in the Vedas and in the Indian
habitat and importance in healing system. system of medicine as holy herb (Oshadiraja) it has
Ayurvedic drugs are rightly called the elixers of life. its place in pre Vedic period also.
Ayurvedic herbs played important role in health
treatment from ancient time to this most modern Ethnopharmacological view:
time. The Atharvan hymns chanted for the cure of
diseases were known as Bhaishajyams and those for Somalata the plant with high medicinal properties is
attaining longevity and prosperity were called used in rejuvenation, Vajikaranam and Vitality (RV
Ayushyams .These hymns,especially Ayushyams 10.25 4, 5, RV 9.63.1, 2, RV 9.62.11, RV 9.7.7. RV
are considered as the foundation of later medical 9.8.1) and it acts as a stimulant (RV 9.50.1) and not
advancements The emergence of different schools a hallucinogen. It gives longevity of life and it
of Sanskrit philosophy like Nyaya ,Vaisheshika, protects from diseases and death (RV9.67.3). The
Sankhya , Yoga, Vedanta and Mimamsa was plant is used as drug in heart diseases and
another landmark in the history of Indian medicine. 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 one’s 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 ISSN: 2229-3701
morphological studies, phytochemical studies and
socio cultural point of view as it is traditional plant.
Modern Concept: As it is a rare plant the plant has to be protected and
The eminent taxonomist, William Roxburgh conserved by adopting the tissue culture techniques
identified soma plant as Asclepia acida It also shows the importance of research in
(Sarcostemma species) belongs to the family ethnobotanical studies in Indo-Iranian and Indo-
Asclepidiceae. I.G. Baker, an eminent Botanist Aryan civilization and culture in related to botany
expressed that the medical texts cited by Maxmuller and medicine and their practices.
clearly refers to Sarcostemma as Soma as far as his
perception is concerned (c.f. Hillbrandt, 1891). In A number of works are going on about the
course of time researcher tried to identify Soma identification of somalata and its highly potential
plant with Ephedra, a gymnosperm. The tender medicinal properties. But till today there is no such
twigs are enriched with an alkaloid Ephedrine which effective, clear evidence for the plant’s properties.
is soluble in water, colourless, odourlesss and gets There is a need for an extensive study of the habitat
decamped even when exposed to air. It stimulates of the plant and the botanical identification of the
nervous system. It was reported that India is not its plant, its characteristic features and medicinal
natural habitat. E. foliate grows in the plants of properties.
South Panjab and Rajastan. Wasson, 1972 reported
that Amanita muscaria is Somalata which was In my research I am searching more information and
hallucinogen. One question is how the plant can be the identity of the plant and its habitat. It was known
a mushroom based on any one criteria or parameter that there were four plants of soma in Himalayan
like hallucinogen or alcoholic? Because it is clearly region. In view of interest an attempt has been made
stated in Vedic texts that it is a plant with green to study the ethnopharmacalogical properties of this
colour, secreting milk, grows in the mountains and rare plant. I found two of the four plants but the
in rivers. It can be a Xerophyte and Hydrophyte. It taxonomic classification is still in ambiguous state.
may adopt different climatic conditions and it The morphology and habitat of the two plants are
extends its habitat to different geographical places. different. There were different theories about its
North America use Amanita as a narcotic drug. In name and habitat. No single idea and statement is
Manusmruthi, (Padhy et al., 2001) clearly not ignorable about this particular creeper. I think
mentioned that the mushroom was a prohibited food the traditional knowledge of healing system and
for humans. So the position of Soma is not free from palm leaf literature study paves the way for more
objection (Dash and Padhy, 1997). It was believed productive benefit. Much more extensive studies
that the Botanical name of the plant is Sarcostemma have to be carried out to get the knowledge of its
acidum. But in Staal’s reference mentions that it is identity and pharmacological properties of the plant.
Sarcostemma brevistigma. The plant I found is one
is a cylindrical creeper, leaf less stem like with ACKNOWKEDGEMENT:
milky latex with terminal white flower. The other Thanks are due to Sri Dr. Cheriaya Narayanan
plant is having small leaflet creeping stem with Namboothiri Vaidhyamatam, Kerala, Sri Totathil
violet flowers. Krishnan Namboothirri, Thrissur district, Kerala,
and Sri Dr. Yellapragada Mallikarjun Rao, Guntur,
There is scope for the study of its identification and Andhra Pradesh, Prof. Manilal, Kerala, Dr. and
habitat still there lays an ambiguity in their Rajan Chungath, Kerala for healthy interaction and
identification. There is scope for ethnobotanical information.
studies as the plant in its taxonomic level,

REFERENCE

1. Dash SK and Padhy, SN: Mushrooms as 3. Hillebrandt A Vedic Mythology (English

prohibited food in Manusmruti vis-à-vis Translatin of Vedisha Mythology, 1980) 2nd
Amanita muscaria. As Vedic Soma plant, revised Ed., Motilal Banarasi Dass, Delhi-
Ethnobotany, 9 (1&2): 129(1997). Patna-Varanasi (1891).
2. Dash SK and Padhy, SN: Ethnobiological 4. Kirtikar KR and Basu BD : Indian Medicinal
studies from Manusmruti: V. Concept of plants (1991 Reprint). Part III. B.S.M.P Singh
Somarasa and dictum against Suraa. J. Hum. Publisher, Dehradun, India (1918).
Ecol., 9(3): 273-276 (1998)

Vol. 2 (3) Jul – Sep 2011 www.ijrpbsonline.com 980

 International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences ISSN: 2229-3701
5. Kochhar, R., Vedic People: Their History and 9. Padhy SN and Dash SK: Quset for the Vedic
Geography, Orient Longman, New Delhi Plant Soma. Paper presented in D.U.B.S.,
(1999). Golden Jubilee Symposium on
6. Mac Donell, AA and Keith, AB.: Vedic Index Biotechnological Innovations in Conservation
of Names and Subjects (3rd Reprint, 1967) and Analysis of Plant Diversity. Feb.7-9, Delhi
Vol.II, Motilal Banarasi Dass, Delhi-Patna- University (2001): Full paper published in the
Varanasi (1912). Botanica, 52: 93-100(2002).
7. Manilal KS Emeritus Professor, Hortus 10. Padhy SN and Dash SK, and Mohaptra, R, The
Malabaricus Project, Malbar Botanical Garden, Vedic Soma Plant, how much Ethnobotanical ?
Personal Communication. 18.06.11. An Introspetive Review, Ethnobotany, 13: 45-
8. Dr. Vayidhyamatam Cheriya Narayanan 59 (2001)
Namboothiri, Physician in AyurVeda, 11. Wasson RG: The Devine Mushroom of
Vaidhyamatam Aur Vaidhya sala, Thrissur, Immortality. In: P.T. Furst (Ed.): Flesh of the
Kerala. Personal Communication. 18.04.11 & Gods. Praeger, N.Y., 185-200 (1972).
22.04.11.

Vol. 2 (3) Jul – Sep 2011 www.ijrpbsonline.com 981