VRIKSHAYURVEDA

Vrikshayurveda is a Sanskrit term which means the science of Plant life (Vriksha = tree). It is an ancient Indian
science of plants.

Vriksha Ayurveda - A dedicated text on Agricultural Science signifies the conservation of plants and utmost
importance has been attributed to plantation- equating ten human lives with a single plant (Table 1). [2]

Table-1
10- Wells 1- Tank
10- Tanks 1-Lake
10- Lakes 1- Child
10-Children 1- Plant

History –

Vrikshayurveda in Ancient Literature –

 The literature of Vrikshayurveda found from various texts like Agni Purana, Brihatsamhita,
Sharangdhara Paddhati of Sharangdhara.
 The term ‘Vrikshayurveda’ was first mentioned in Koutilya Arthashastra but details are explained in
Brihatsamhita and Agni Purana.
 Text such as Vishvavallabha, Krishi Parashara, Manasollas, Shivatatvaratnakara and Lokopkara also
contain the information related to the art of plantation.
 Vriksayurveda wrote by Salihotra around 400 B.C. It consists of twelve vast chapters.
 Vrikshayurveda is a text written by Surpala (1000AD) highlighting the importance of agriculture
practices. It is an Independent Ancient Sanskrit Text (325 Shlokas) on Plants. It was translated from
Sanskrit into English by Dr. Nalini Sadhale in 1996 and in Hindi by Dr. S.L. Choudhary in 2003.
 Mr Y. L. Nene (Chairman Asian Agri-History Foundation) procured a manuscript of Vrikshayurveda of
Surapala from Bodlein Library, Oxford, UK. Dr Nalini Sadhale did the English translation of the
manuscript. [1]
 There is only one ancient copy on palm leaves of Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda (c.1000 AD) in the world
preserved at the Bodleian Library, Oxford University, UK.

SIGNIFICANCE OF PLANT BIO-RESOURCES –

Vrikshayurveda suggested that tree planting is one of the means to attain the four broad aim
of life i.e. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha which indicated the importance of trees in the
holistic development of mankind and the use of crop production for sustainable agriculture.[3]

VRIKSHAYURVEDA: ANCIENT SCIENCE OF LIFE FOR TREES-

Vriksayurveda wrote by Salihotra around 400 B.C. It consists of twelve vast chapters namely
1. Bhumi nirupana
2. Bijoptivithi
3. Padapavivaksa
4. Ropana Vidhana
5. Nise canavidhi
6. Posana vidhi
7. Drumaraksa
8. Taru Cikitsa
9. Upavanakriya
10. Nivasa sanna taru Subhasubha Laksana
11. Taru Mahima
12. Citrikarana

1. Bhumi nirupana-
 Figure 1: Graphical representation of Soil classification according to Bhumi nirupana

The first class “Jangalam” represents the presence of less water and less vegetation.

The second class “Anupam” represents the land which is fertile in nature and found rich in
vegetation and towering thick trees surrounded such places.

The third class is “Sadharana” which is neither more fertile nor infertile.
Bhumi(Types of land) Plants to be grown
Anupa Bhumi (Marshy land) Panasa, Narikela, Jambu, Kadali, etc.
Jangala Bhumi (Arid land) Ashoka, Shami, Bilva, Saptaparna, etc.
Sadharana Bhumi (Ordinary land) Amra, Dadima, Champaka, Bijapuraka, Priyangu etc.

2. Bijoptivithi- Illustrated about the process of seed germination and explains about grading and
preservation of seeds.
The methods described for seed preservation is to mix the seeds with ashes and it was also suggested
that the seeds should be exposed to the medicated smoke which can serve as an antimicrobial agent.
3. Padpavivaksa- Elucidate the tree biology and it was believed that the plants have life and senses. It
was also believed that plants and trees also suffer from hunger and pain.[4]
4. Ropana Vidhana- Method of cultivation.
5. Nise canavidhi- It describes various methods of irrigation and the effect and use of fertilizers. It also
provides information about the diseases of plants. The use of fertilizers is not limited to Vrksayurveda
but in ‘Brhat Samhita’ special type of fertilizer named ‘Kunapajala’ is also described.
6. Posana vidhi- Nucture method
7. Drumaraksa- It deals with several advices to save plants and trees from the weather and other
conditions like winds and storms.
8. Taru Cikitsa- Methods of curing
9. Nivasa sanna taru Subhasubha Laksana- It deals with many proposals like: A perfect dwelling must
have „Peral’ in the east, „Athi‟ in the South, ‘Arayal’ in the West and ‘Eithi’ in the north, but they
should never be planted too near to the house; their branches and leaves should not reach the roof and
windows.
10. Tarumahima-

10- Wells 1- Tank

10- Tanks 1-Lake
10- Lakes 1- Child
10-Children 1- Plant
11. Upavanakriya- It provides instructions an detaching upon the organisation, cultivation and
preservation of gardens.
It defined a Latagrah which is a house for the cultivation of selected medicinal and aromatic plants that
yields in great profusion, sweet scented blossoms and flowers.
12. Citrikarana- It depicts some astounding techniques such as to make a plant bloom throughout the year
irrespective of the seasons, bring forth premature maturity to plants and fruits, and change the shape
and form of trees.
 GOOD AGRICULTURAL AND FIELD COLLECTION PRACTICES (GAFCP) IN ANCIENT
INDIA-

Systematic and detailed scientific documentation on ‘Good Agricultural and Field collection
Practices, encompassing major issues like-

1. Selection of the soil

2. Plant propagation methods
3. Irrigation and watering methods
4. Plant nourishment
5. Plant diseases and management
Can be traced back from aboriginal classics of India viz. Rigveda, Atharaveda,Vriksha Ayurveda,
Agnipurana, Satapatha Brahmana, Brhat Samhita, Vishnupurana, Panaini Vyakarana, Amarakosa ,
Upavana vinoda, Krishi prasara ,Ramayana and so on.[4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
In general, the science of Ayurveda advocates Sharad Ritu (i.e. October and November) as
the best season for the harvesting of herbs for therapeutic purpose. [11,12]
Table-2 to Table-4 (Charaksamhita, Kalpsthana-1/10)

Table-2 Field Collection Practices – Harvesting Season for different

parts of the plant

Part of the plant specified for Harvesting Season

Therapeutic use
Flowers Spring
Fruits Spring
Roots Summer or in the late winter
Leaves Rainy season and spring (early summer)
Branches Rainy season and spring (early summer)
Bark Early winter
Stem Early winter
Latex Early winter
Harvesting in general Early winter

Table-3. Field Collection Practices –Potency of Drug

Potency of Drugs Season of collection Prescribed province for collection

Shita Virya Winter Himalayan province
Ushna Virya Summer Vindhya province (Central part of India)

Table-4. Field Collection Practices –Therapeutic use

Intended Therapeutic Use of Drug Season of collection Type of soil

1. Therapeutic induction of Spring Dry, white /Gray ,Hilly
purgation areas.(Agni and Akasha Desha)
2. Therapeutic ion of induction Spring Black soil,enriched with Big
of Emesis trees and,herbs and grasses
3. Nasal (Nasya Karma) (Parthiva Desha) &
administration of drugs Marshy,Watery soil, enriched
4. Rectal (Vastikarma) with small trees.(Jaleeya desha)
administration of drugs
5. Other palliative therapies Winter Black soil, Hilly areas.
( Akasha Desha)

SOIL SELECTION-

The soil provides three essentials to all plants; a firm, foothold and water. Hence knowledge
of the soil-its surface configuration, general natural fertility and supply of water had been
closely observed by our ancients. Hence they prayed, in general, for regions that are fertile
and yielding abundance. (Rigveda .1.125.5 and Yajurveda, Verse 18-19).
 Bhumi(Types of land) Plants to be grown
Anupa Bhumi (Marshy land) Panasa, Narikela, Jambu, Kadali, etc.
Jangala Bhumi (Arid land) Ashoka, Shami, Bilva, Saptaparna, etc.
Sadharana Bhumi (Ordinary land) Amra, Dadima, Champaka, Bijapuraka, Priyangu etc.

Table-5 Classification of the Soil - Soil variety vs Fertility

Soil Color Taste Properties

Black (Asita) Sweet Most Fertile
Off White (vipandu) Sour Less Fertile
Blue (Syamala) Salty Relatively Lesser fertile
Red (Lohita) Bitter In-Fertile
Yellow (pita) Astringent Relatively infertile
White (Sita) Pungent Relatively Lesser infertile

Table-6. Classification of the Soil – Bio-Geographical perspective

Elemental Composition Soil Nature Color Vegetation

of Soil
(Pancha Maha Bhuthas
)
1. Prithivi Pebbly Dark blue or black Rich vegetation
2. Jala Unctous , Cool White Grass
3. Agni Stony Multicolor Small sized trees
4. Vayu Rough Grey Small trees
5. Akasa Soft No color Trees of no value

Table-7 . Soil selection for specific crops in Ancient India

Crops Crops Lands (Soil)

Vrihi (Corn) Vraiheya
Sali (Rice) Saleyam
Yava (Barley) Yavyam, Yavakyam
Tila (Seasamum) Tilam, Tailinam
Mudga (Grains) Maudginam
Kudra (Pulses) Kaudravinam

Fertility is the main criterion for classifying the soil.

Table-8 Vedic Classification of soil based on fertility factor

Types of Lands(soil) Reference

Urvara(fertile) Rigveda I.127. 6; IV.41.6; V.33.4;
VI.25.4; X.30.3; Atherva veda V.
X.6.33; XIV.2.14
Anurvara or usara (sterile) (Satapatha Brahmana II.1.1.6.).
Dhanva (Sandy desert) (Rigveda .1.116.4.)

Method of Irrigation-

Season Irrigation
1. Vasanta (spring) Daily
2. Hemant (pre winter) and Shishira (winter) Every alternate day
3. Grishma (summer) Thrice a day
Pre sowing treatment of seeds (Bijopti Vidhi) -

a. Seeds are extracted from dried fruit, is then sprinkled with milk and dried for five days. It is
then smoked with mustard seeds mixed with Vidanga (Emblia ribes Burm. f).

b. Seeds sprinkled with milk rubbed with cow dung, dried and profusely smeared with Vidanga
Choorna and Madhu will definitely sprout.

c. Seeds soaked in milk, dried well in shade and rolled in the powder of Brihati (Solanum
indicum L.), Tila (Sesamum indicum L.) and mixed with mustard are excellent for sowing .

PLANT PROPAGATION-
Table-9. Major Plant Propagation methods in Ancient India [13]

Plant Propagation Methods Interpretation References

1. Bijaruha By Seeds Sathapatha Brahmana VI.6.3.1
-seed collection methods TaithariyaSamhitaVII.2.10.2.
- seed treatment ManasollasaV7.8
- sowing of seeds Upavana vinoda V.V51-53
Bhrit samhita 5.24-26
2. Mulaja By Roots Kautilya ‘s Artha SastraII.24
3. Kandyaropya and Cutting and grafting Kautilya ‘s Artha SastraII.24
Skandhaja Upavana vinoda 45-46
Bhrit samhita -55-4-5
4. Agrabija and parna yoni Apical portions and Upavana vinoda 57-70
leaves

Common Seed treatment by Upavan Vinod and Surpala’s Vrikshayurved-[14,15]

1. Ripened and matured fruits are collected and dried then seeds are removed from fruits. Godugdha (cow
milk) is sprinkled (Nishikta) on seeds and dried again. Same procedure is repeated for next 5 days-
(Panchdinani). Then seeds are fumigated (Dhupitam) by Go-ghruta (cow ghee) & Vidanga churna.
2. Seeds should be treated by sprinkling milk, then the seeds should be pasted (Liptam) with the paste
(Kalka) of Brihati (Solanum indicum L.), Tila (Sesamum indicum L.), Bhasma (of cow dung ash) and
Sarshapa (Brassica nigra Koch.). Subsequently, the seeds should be rubbed (Mardita) with Gomaya
(cow-dung) and clay soil (Mrida). Further, seeds material should be fumigated with fat.

PLANT NOURISHMENT –
It is suggested that for increasing the yield of flowers and fruits of trees, creepers and shrubs,
they should be sprinkled always with a mixture of :-

Two adakas (128 palas) of the powder of droppings of goat and sheep + One adhaka of seseamum + a prastha
(16 palas) of wheat + a tula (100 palas) of beaf + drone (256 palas) of water kept for seven nights.

Kashyapa also gives identical proportion of the ingredients but recommends that water added should be 21/2
times the volume of dry ingredients. It also cause destruction of pathogenic bacteria.

PLANT DISEASES (PHYTO-PATHOLOGY) AND TREATMENT-

References to the Science of phyto-pathology (The sciences of treatment of diseases caused
by micro organisms and infects and animals (pathogens) on plants) can be traced back to
Vedic period (Rigveda -V.54.6).
It mentions a worm called kapana that destroys the leaves of trees kapanah means creeping, i.e. Worm.
Destruction of corns by various kinds of reptiles and vermins such as upakvasa, (Abnoxious insect), jobhya
(Snapper), Tarda (borer), Vyadvarah (Rodents, Samarika (hook), the mole and some other, is referred to in
Atharvaveda (Atharva veda -verse VI.50)
Bio fertilizers in the name of Kunapa Jala which is special liquid manure is mentioned in Surapala’s
Vrikshayurveda which enhances growth and development of plants.
Preparation of Kunapa Jala (Surapala): The excreta, flesh, brain, bone marrow, head of boar, mixed with water
and stored underground called as Kunapa. It is then boiled after mixing with water and mixture should be stored
in oiled pot after adding sufficient quantity of husk, after roasting it in an Iron pot. Sesame oil cake, honey and
soaked black gram also added. A little ghee should be poured.

In Vrikshayurveda, Brihat Panchmoola are used in various forms to treat different diseases in plants. It is also
used for pest control and as a bio fertilizer to enhance plant yield.

Pest control in trees was followed in those days like fumigation with Sarshapa, Hingu, Vidanga (Embelia
ribes), Vacha (Achorus calamus) and water and mixed with powder of Bhallataka (Semicarpus anacardium).

Research/Publications related to Vrikshayurveda-

1. Mohan B. Evaluation of Organic growth promoters on yield of dry land vegetable crops in India. J Org
Sys. 2008; 3: 23-26
This study recommends the use of Panchagavya as an organic growth promoter for small and
marginally profitable vegetable crop farms.

2. Brageshwar, Joshi AK, Dey S. Effect of Kunapa Jala and fertilizers on Senna (Cassia angustifolia)
Indian forester. 2007; 133:1235-1240
This study highlights the importance of Kunapajala with special emphasis on cultivation of medicinal
plants like senna (Cassia angustifolia)

3. Vidyanath Ratnakaram. Antique cultivation and conservative techniques of Vegetation w.s.r. to

Vrikshayurveda. ISSN 0976-0075 Ayurveda e-Journal Rasamritam, 5:36 Nov 2013
This paper focuses on the Vrikshayurveda techniques and hazards caused by chemical fertilizers and
pesticides. It also tells about the treatment of diseased condition of plants mentioned in Vrikshayurveda
References-

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