Ethnomedicinal information in garuda purana

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to appraise the contribution of ancient Indian mythological literature in Ayurveda science. Data Source: The information has been gathered from ancient Indian literature Garuda Purana, Ayurveda classical texts, and modern literature related to medicinal plants used in Ayurveda system of medicine. Review Methods: Garuda Purana, an ancient scripture written in Sanskrit language, contains some ethnobotanical information. Achara Kanda is the division which discuses many human diseases and their herbal treatments. Many medical topics have been discussed in Achara Kanda division of Garuda Purana which resemble those explained in Ayurvedic medicinal system. Results and Conclusion: Many medicinal plants are explained with their Ayurvedic medicinal values at various places in the Purana. After collecting and analysing the medicinal data, it is found that this scripture mentions 48 plant species that have been interestingly used till modern days to cure various human ailments. In the present study, 48 plant species belonging to 47 genera and 35 families are reported. Botanical names followed by family, local names, Sanskrit name, used plant parts, the method of preparation of drug, and mode of uses of the plants have been furnished in the enumeration.