Changes

# Brihatsamhita - speaks of trees like the Asoka and Punnaga which are beneficial to warfare.<ref name=":2">Ghose, A. K. 1971. Botany: The Vedic and Post-Vedic Periods. In ''A Concise History of Science in India'' (Ed.) D. M. Bose, S. N. Sen and B.V. Subbarayappa. New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy. Pp. 375-392.</ref>

# Brihatsamhita - speaks of trees like the Asoka and Punnaga which are beneficial to warfare.<ref name=":2">Ghose, A. K. 1971. Botany: The Vedic and Post-Vedic Periods. In ''A Concise History of Science in India'' (Ed.) D. M. Bose, S. N. Sen and B.V. Subbarayappa. New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy. Pp. 375-392.</ref>

# Vrkshayurveda - 14 kandas described<ref name=":2" /><ref>A K, S., & Katti, A. (2022). Science of Plant Life - Vrikshayurveda: A Historical Account. ''International Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine'', ''12''(2), 4204–4208. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.47191/ijahm/v12i2.06</nowiki></ref>

# Vrkshayurveda - 14 kandas described<ref name=":2" /><ref>A K, S., & Katti, A. (2022). Science of Plant Life - Vrikshayurveda: A Historical Account. ''International Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine'', ''12''(2), 4204–4208. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.47191/ijahm/v12i2.06</nowiki></ref>

# Arthashastra

# Arthashastra classifies plants based on their economic uses.<ref name=":13" />

# Sahitya - <ref>Sengupta, A. (2017). Samskrit sahitya mein vanaspati vijnan. ''International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology'', ''3''(8), 1257–1264. <nowiki>https://www.ijsrset.com</nowiki></ref>

# Sahitya <ref>Sengupta, A. (2017). Samskrit sahitya mein vanaspati vijnan. ''International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology'', ''3''(8), 1257–1264. <nowiki>https://www.ijsrset.com</nowiki></ref>

==व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology==

==व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology==

*पलाशी (पलाशं विद्यतेऽस्य)<ref>https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?page=kosha&search=%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D</ref> which has leaves

*पलाशी (पलाशं विद्यतेऽस्य)<ref>https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?page=kosha&search=%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D</ref> which has leaves

*अगमः (न गच्छतीति)<ref>https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?page=kosha&search=%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AE</ref> that which doesn’t move

*अगमः (न गच्छतीति)<ref>https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?page=kosha&search=%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AE</ref> that which doesn’t move

Similar scientific basis was adopted in naming the different varieties of plants based on various factors. Plants were named according to special association with deities (e.g. Datura is called Sivasekhara as the flower is associated with Siva), their medicinal nature (e.g. Dadrughna or Cassia fistula is that which cures ring-worm), their domestic utility (e.g. karpasa (cotton) that out of which clothes are woven), special characteristics (e.g., phenilaṃ or ''Sapindus emarginatus'' from the Sapindaceae (Soapberry) family have seeds that lather or foam with water), special morphological features such as the number of leaflets in a compound leaf (e.g. Saptaparṇa (सप्तपर्ण) is identified with ''Alstonia scholaris'' (the blackboard tree)), nature of shape of the leaf (e.g. dirghapatraka (दीर्घपत्रक) is one with long leaves as in sugar-cane, ashvaparnaka refers to Shorea robusta whose leaves resemble the shape of the ear of a horse), shape and color of flowers (e.g. vakrapushpa or Sesbania grandifolia with papilionaceous flowers), and other characteristics like Sataparvika or grasses having hundred (many) joints in its stem, apushpaphalada refers to jackfruit where fruits arise without (apparent) flowers. Thus naming of plants primarily involved its identification characteristic.<ref name=":8" />

Similar scientific basis was adopted in naming the different varieties of plants based on various factors. Plants were named according to<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":12" />

 

* '''special association''' (e.g. Datura (Datura stramonium) is called Sivasekhara as the flower is associated with Siva, Ficus religiosa is called bodhidhruma as Buddha attained enlightened under this tree, Asoka (Saraca indica) is so called after legendary association with Asoka forest in which Sita Devi was confined)

* '''medicinal nature''' (e.g. Dadrughna (Cassia fistula) is that which cures ring-worm, kushnashini (Somaraji) that which cures leprosy, Abhyata (Myrobalan haritaki) that which takes away pain)

* '''domestic utility''' (e.g. karpasa (cotton) that out of which clothes are woven, dantadhavana (Acacia catechu) is used for cleaning teeth) dhanudhruma (Bambusa) that out of which bows are made),  

* '''special characteristics''' (e.g., phenilaṃ or ''Sapindus emarginatus'' from the Sapindaceae (Soapberry) family have seeds that lather or foam in water, Bahupada (Ficus bengalensis) many legged with prop roots serving as legs),  

* '''special morphological features''' such as number of leaflets, nature or shape of leaf, shape and color of flowers.

* '''geographical association''' such as Souveera (Ziziphus jujube, indigenous to Soubir or Saurastra), Champeya (Michelia sps., indigenous to Champa-Bhagalpur), Maghadhi (Jasmine or Piper longum - indigenous to Magadha or North Bihar), Vaidehi (Pepper- indigenous to Videha-Mithila)

* '''environmental association''' such as Jalaja/Pankaja (Lotus) associated with water and mud, Nadisarja (Arjuna tree-Terminalia arjuna) grows on the banks of rivers, Vanaprastha (Mahua - Palasa tree) grows in woodlands)

 

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Table 1: The terms used for plants in Shrimad Bhagavatam  

|+Table 1: The terms used for plants in Shrimad Bhagavatam  

वनस्पत्योषधिलता त्वक्सारो वीरुधो द्रुमाः ॥  

वनस्पत्योषधिलता त्वक्सारो वीरुधो द्रुमाः ॥<ref name=":10" />

!Sanskrit Name

!Sanskrit Name

!English Term

!English Term

|-

|-

|वनस्पतिः (vanaspatiḥ)

|वनस्पतिः (vanaspatiḥ)

|It means 'the lord over forest.' A tree or forest in general  

|It means 'the lord over forest.' A tree or forest in general

|विना पुष्पं फलिद्रुमः । अपुष्पाः फलवन्तो ये ते वनस्पतयः स्मृताः ॥ वृक्षमात्रम् । इति मेदिनी।<ref>https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?search=%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83+</ref><nowiki> vinā puṣpaṃ phalidrumaḥ | apuṣpāḥ phalavanto ye te vanaspatayaḥ smṛtāḥ || vṛkṣamātram | iti medinī |</nowiki>

|विना पुष्पं फलिद्रुमः । अपुष्पाः फलवन्तो ये ते वनस्पतयः स्मृताः ॥ वृक्षमात्रम् । इति मेदिनी।<ref>https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?search=%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83+</ref><nowiki> vinā puṣpaṃ phalidrumaḥ | apuṣpāḥ phalavanto ye te vanaspatayaḥ smṛtāḥ || vṛkṣamātram | iti medinī |</nowiki>

== Plants in Vedic Literature ==

== Plants in Vedic Literature ==

=== Reverence For Plants ===

=== Reverence to Plants ===

Reverence to trees, plants and medicinal herbs which have evolved even before human beings existed in India since Vedic times. In Rigveda, 10th Mandala Sukta 97<ref>Rigveda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%AD Manda 10 Sukta 97])</ref> the trees are hailed as the divine mothers<ref name=":8">Majumdar, G. P. (1927). ''VANASPATI: PLANTS AND PLANT-LIFE AS IN INDIAN TREATISES AND TRADITIONS''. The University of Calcutta. (pp.151)</ref>

Reverence to trees, plants and medicinal herbs which have evolved even before human beings existed in India since Vedic times. In Rigveda, 10th Mandala Sukta 97<ref>Rigveda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%AD Manda 10 Sukta 97])</ref> the trees are hailed as the divine mothers<ref name=":8">Majumdar, G. P. (1927). ''VANASPATI: PLANTS AND PLANT-LIFE AS IN INDIAN TREATISES AND TRADITIONS''. The University of Calcutta. (pp.151)</ref>

# विशेषिणः - of many varieties

# विशेषिणः - of many varieties

In Aitareya Brahmana and Koushitaki Brahamana, vanaspati or plants are termed as "Prana" because they protect mankind by giving prana-shakti or oxygen.<ref name=":6">Mishra, D. K. (2007). ''Vaidik vangmay mein Vanaspati Vijnan ka svarup''. 2nd World Congress on Vedic Sciences.</ref><ref name=":12">Dvivedi, K. D. (2000). ''Vedon men Vijnana: Positive Sciences in the Vedas'' (2nd ed.). Vishvabharati Anusandhan Parishad. (p.60)</ref><blockquote>वनस्पतिं यजति प्राणो वै वनस्पतिः प्राणमेव तत्प्रीणाति प्राणं यजमाने दधाति | vanaspatiṃ yajati prāṇo vai vanaspatiḥ prāṇameva tatprīṇāti prāṇaṃ yajamāne dadhāti | (Aite. Brah. 2.4)<ref>Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%A8_(%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE) Panchika 2])</ref>

In Aitareya Brahmana and Koushitaki Brahamana, vanaspati or plants are termed as "Prana" because they protect mankind by giving prana-shakti or oxygen.<ref name=":6">Mishra, D. K. (2007). ''Vaidik vangmay mein Vanaspati Vijnan ka svarup''. 2nd World Congress on Vedic Sciences.</ref><ref name=":12">Dvivedi, K. D. (2000). ''Vedon men Vijnana: Positive Sciences in the Vedas'' (2nd ed.). Vishvabharati Anusandhan Parishad. (p.60)</ref><blockquote>वनस्पतिं यजति प्राणो वै वनस्पतिः प्राणमेव तत्प्रीणाति प्राणं यजमाने दधाति |<ref>Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%A8_(%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE) Panchika 2])</ref> vanaspatiṃ yajati prāṇo vai vanaspatiḥ prāṇameva tatprīṇāti prāṇaṃ yajamāne dadhāti | (Aite. Brah. 2.4)

प्राणो वनस्पतिः । prāṇo vanaspatiḥ | (Kous. Brah. 12.7)<ref>Koushitaki Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 12])</ref></blockquote>In Atharvaveda (8.7.6-10)<ref name=":7" /> जीवलां नघारिषां जीवन्तीमोषधीमहम् ।... plants characteristics are given based on their qualities<ref name=":12" />

प्राणो वनस्पतिः । prāṇo vanaspatiḥ | (Kous. Brah. 12.7)<ref>Koushitaki Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 12])</ref></blockquote>In Atharvaveda (8.7.6-10)<ref name=":7" /> जीवलां नघारिषां जीवन्तीमोषधीमहम् ।... plants characteristics are given based on their qualities<ref name=":12" />

# प्रचेतस ॥ one that gives chetana (life force)

# प्रचेतस ॥ one that gives chetana (life force)

# मेदिनी ॥ nourishing

# मेदिनी ॥ nourishing

# उग्रा ॥ one that gives prominent effects

# उग्रा ॥ one that produces severe effects  

# विषदूषणीः ॥ one that destroys poisons

# विषदूषणीः ॥ one that destroys poisons

# बलासनाशनीः ॥ destroys kapha  

# बलासनाशनीः ॥ destroys kapha  

प्रदूषनिवारकाः ॥ one that prevents pollution - Yajuveda mentions that plants prevent pollution and hence are called शमिता (शमनकर्ता)<ref name=":6" /><blockquote>वनस्पतिः शमिता देवोऽ अग्निः स्वदन्तु हव्यं मधुना घृतेन ॥ vanaspatiḥ śamitā devo’ agniḥ svadantu havyaṃ madhunā ghṛtena || (Shuk. Yaju. 29.35)<ref>Shukla Yajurveda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AF Adhyaya 29])</ref></blockquote>

Plants have preventive and curative properties. As प्रदूषनिवारकाः ॥ one that prevents pollution - Yajuveda mentions that plants prevent pollution and hence are called शमिता (शमनकर्ता)<ref name=":6" />

 

वनस्पतिः शमिता देवोऽ अग्निः स्वदन्तु हव्यं मधुना घृतेन ॥ vanaspatiḥ śamitā devo’ agniḥ svadantu havyaṃ madhunā ghṛtena || (Shuk. Yaju. 29.35)<ref>Shukla Yajurveda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AF Adhyaya 29])</ref>

== Plant Parts and Habitat==

==== Plant Parts ====

== Plant Morphology and Habitats==

=== Plant Parts ===

Taittriya samhita identifies the parts of the plants as given below<blockquote>ओषधीभ्यः स्वाहा मूलेभ्यः स्वाहा तूलेभ्यः स्वाहा काण्डेभ्यः स्वाहा वल्शेभ्यः स्वाहा पुष्पेभ्यः स्वाहा फलेभ्यः स्वाहा गृहीतेभ्यः स्वाहा । अगृहीतेभ्यः स्वाहा । अवपन्नेभ्यः स्वाहा शयानेभ्यः स्वाहा सर्वस्मै स्वाहा ॥ (Taittiriya Samhita 7.3.19)<ref>Taittriya Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9 Kanda 7 Prapathaka 3])</ref></blockquote>Meaning: To the plants hail! To the roots hail! To the panicles hail! To the joints hail! To the twigs hail! To the flowers hail! To the fruits hail! To those that are used hail! To those that are not used hail! To those that have fallen off hail! To those that are lying (on the ground) hail! To all hail!<ref name=":8" /> Trees have skanda or crown, having more number of leaves compared to herbaceous plants.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>मधुमन् मूलं मधुमदग्रमासां मधुमन् मध्यं वीरुधां बभूव । मधुमत्पर्णं मधुमत्पुष्पमासां मधोः सम्भक्ता अमृतस्य भक्षो घृतमन्नं दुह्रतां गोपुरोगवम् ॥१२॥ (Atha. Veda. 8.7.12)<ref name=":7" />

Taittriya samhita identifies the parts of the plants as given below<blockquote>ओषधीभ्यः स्वाहा मूलेभ्यः स्वाहा तूलेभ्यः स्वाहा काण्डेभ्यः स्वाहा वल्शेभ्यः स्वाहा पुष्पेभ्यः स्वाहा फलेभ्यः स्वाहा गृहीतेभ्यः स्वाहा । अगृहीतेभ्यः स्वाहा । अवपन्नेभ्यः स्वाहा शयानेभ्यः स्वाहा सर्वस्मै स्वाहा ॥ (Taittiriya Samhita 7.3.19)<ref>Taittriya Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9 Kanda 7 Prapathaka 3])</ref></blockquote>Meaning: To the plants hail! To the roots hail! To the panicles hail! To the joints hail! To the twigs hail! To the flowers hail! To the fruits hail! To those that are used hail! To those that are not used hail! To those that have fallen off hail! To those that are lying (on the ground) hail! To all hail!<ref name=":8" /> Trees have skanda or crown, having more number of leaves compared to herbaceous plants.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>मधुमन् मूलं मधुमदग्रमासां मधुमन् मध्यं वीरुधां बभूव । मधुमत्पर्णं मधुमत्पुष्पमासां मधोः सम्भक्ता अमृतस्य भक्षो घृतमन्नं दुह्रतां गोपुरोगवम् ॥१२॥ (Atha. Veda. 8.7.12)<ref name=":7" />

All these parts are Amṛtasya–Sweet in content

All these parts are Amṛtasya–Sweet in content

The main trunk part of the tree is called Prakand or skanda (stem) from where branches spread out. The trees having a very strong stem/ trunk are termed as vanaspati or vaanaspati. A Lata/valli/vratati is one that cannot stand upright on its own.

The main trunk part of the tree is called Prakand or skanda (stem) from where branches spread out. The trees having a very strong stem/ trunk are termed as vanaspati or vaanaspati. A Lata/valli/vratati is one that cannot stand upright on its own.  

==== Growth Habitats ====

==== Morphological characteristics ====

 

=== Growth Habitats ===

The Oshadhi Sukta of Atharvaveda classifies the plant world into seven types:<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>प्रस्तृणती स्तम्बिनीरेकशुङ्गाः प्रतन्वतीरोषधीरा वदामि । अंशुमतीः कण्डिनीर्या विशाखा ह्वयामि ते वीरुधो वैश्वदेवीरुग्राः पुरुषजीवनीः ॥४॥ (Atha. Veda. 8.7.4)<ref name=":7">Atharvaveda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AD Kanda 8 Sukta 7]) Oshadhi Sukta</ref>

The Oshadhi Sukta of Atharvaveda classifies the plant world into seven types:<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>प्रस्तृणती स्तम्बिनीरेकशुङ्गाः प्रतन्वतीरोषधीरा वदामि । अंशुमतीः कण्डिनीर्या विशाखा ह्वयामि ते वीरुधो वैश्वदेवीरुग्राः पुरुषजीवनीः ॥४॥ (Atha. Veda. 8.7.4)<ref name=":7">Atharvaveda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AD Kanda 8 Sukta 7]) Oshadhi Sukta</ref>

# Pushpavarga (for dyes)

# Pushpavarga (for dyes)

# Oushadha varga (medicinal plants)

# Oushadha varga (medicinal plants)

# Vishavarga (poison yielding plants)<ref>Shamasastry. R, ''Kautilya's Arthashastra with English Translation'' (p. 139-140)</ref>

# Vishavarga (poison yielding plants)<ref name=":13">Shamasastry. R, ''Kautilya's Arthashastra with English Translation'' (p. 139-140)</ref>

|based on economic uses

|based on economic uses

|-

|-

|}

|}

# हरितवर्गः (green herbs) - ginger/''adraka'' (Zingiber officinale), lemon/ ''jambira'' (Citrus limon), Coriander/''dhanyaka'' (Coriandrum sativum are among this class

# हरितवर्गः (green herbs) - ginger/''adraka'' (Zingiber officinale), lemon/ ''jambira'' (Citrus limon), Coriander/''dhanyaka'' (Coriandrum sativum are among this class

# इक्षुवर्गः (sugarcane and its products) - sugarcane juice and derived products such as guda or jaggery belong this class.

# इक्षुवर्गः (sugarcane and its products) - sugarcane juice and derived products such as guda or jaggery belong this class.

# Oils such as til, castor, rapeseed oil etc., and other oils used in cooking.

# Oils yielding plants such as sesame, castor, rapeseed oil etc., and other oils used in cooking.

== Plants in Indian Alchemy ==

== Plants in Indian Alchemy ==

An important aspect of the Indian alchemical practice relates to the use of a number of plants in different operations of alchemical and iatrochemical nature. The plants are even referred to as divyausadhi (divine medicinal plants). Generally their roots, leaves or seeds are used in digestion processes. Sometimes oils or exudates of certain plants are also employed. The Indian rasavadins believed that the minerals and metals would not acquire the desirable iatro-chemical properties unless they were treated or digested with one medicinal plant or the other. Even mercury, extolled as divine, should undergo this process. More than two hundred names of plants are mentioned in different texts on Rasashastra. The following is a brief account of some of the plants with particular reference to their iatro-chemical significance.<ref>Subbarayappa. B. V. Chemical Practices and Alchemy. In ''A Concise History of Science in India'' (Eds.) D. M. Bose, S. N. Sen and B.V. Subbarayappa. New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy. Pp. 327</ref>

An important aspect of the Indian alchemical practice relates to the use of a number of plants in different operations of alchemical and iatrochemical nature. The plants are even referred to as divyausadhi (divine medicinal plants). Generally their roots, leaves or seeds are used in digestion processes. Sometimes oils or exudates of certain plants are also employed. The Indian rasavadins believed that the minerals and metals would not acquire the desirable iatro-chemical properties unless they were treated or digested with one medicinal plant or the other. Even mercury, extolled as divine, should undergo this process. More than two hundred names of plants are mentioned in different texts on Rasashastra. The following is a brief account of some of the plants with particular reference to their iatro-chemical significance.<ref>Subbarayappa. B. V. Chemical Practices and Alchemy. In ''A Concise History of Science in India'' (Eds.) D. M. Bose, S. N. Sen and B.V. Subbarayappa. New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy. Pp. 327</ref>  

* Agasti (Sesbania grandiflord)—purification of manahshila, makshika and vajra

* Agasti (Sesbania grandiflord)—purification of manahshila, makshika and vajra