Abstract

DEVELOPMENT OF A CLASSICAL FRAMEWORK FOR ASHWAGANDHA (WITHANIA SOMNIFERA DUNAL.) USING AYURVEDIC SYNONYMS AS A KEY IDENTIFIER

Dr. Vinita A. Khatri*, Dr. Dilip K. Jani and Dr. Suman G. Singh

ABSTRACT

The medicinal plant Withania somnifera commonly known as Ashwagandha is one among the major drug in the Ayurvedic system of medicine due to its medical and tonic properties. Ayurvedic herbs are denoted with specific/basic words, which are called basonyms. Apart from basonyms various synonyms are also used to describe herbs. Paryayas (synonyms) help in identification of medicinal plants and they are symbols of identity to a plant. Most of the synonyms given based on the morphological structures like the shape of leaf, inflorescence, flower‟s colour, shape, fruit‟s sizes, structure of roots, habitat, historical importance etc. Synonyms are also given on the basis of properties, Doshaghnata, Rogaghnata. The knowledge of various terminologies related to nomenclature like local, regional, trade, classical synonyms, scientific names are very important to an Ayurvedic scholar, which makes us distinct than the others. Thepresent study reveals the critical analysis of the Ayurvedic texts regarding synonyms of Ashwagandha. Total 58 synonyms of Ashwagandha are found from 15 Nighantus and 22 Samhitas/Chikitsagranthas consists 13 synonyms.

Keywords: Ashwagandha, Identification, Synonyms, Withania somnifera Dunal.