Vrikshayurveda Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Vrikshayurveda deals with various tree and plant species and ensure the healthy growth and productivity. The ancient text consists of about 170 different plant species including herbs, shrubs and trees. The different chapters of Vrikshayurveda deal with agrihorticultute, homegardening, intercropping and storage etc. Plant procurement and preservation of plants along with soil treatment, ground water management and fertilizers were mainly emphasized. 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 (Sadhale

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 (Ramacharan, 1984). The third class is “Sadharana” which is neither more fertile nor infertile the word Sadharana means ordinary in Hindi. The second chapter “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. ‘Padpavivaksa’ elucidate the tree biology and it was believed that the plants have life and senses, the main difference between plants and human that the tree has its head rooted deep in the earth, and the branches spread in the air on the other hand; man keeps his head high up and walks on his branches, his legs. It was also believed that plants and trees also suffer from hunger and pain (Ramacharan, 1984). The life in plants was later scientifically certified by J C Bose. The ‘Niscana Vidhi’ describes various methods of irrigation and the effect and use of fertilization. The irrigation of each plant should be in very

With the help of ancient texts and model methods of agriculture we can not only scientifically prove the sayings of the text but we could also establish some novel modified methods for the agricultural systems. Present scenario is very suitable for the development of the ancient sciences as there is a huge demand of the conservation and sustainable utilization of the wood and non wood forest products as well as the medicinal plant sciences. The proper interpretation and availability of Vriksayurveda can also play an important role in the field of intercropping and put forward for the use of organic fertilizers and can play a crucial role to build the ecofriendly environment.

The scientific community should validate the sayings of Vriksayurveda and the development of the agriculture as well as the production of various medicinal plants used in various systems of medicine. Very limited literature is available regarding the Vriksayurveda and admirable interpretation is done by some of the agricultural scientists. Apart from agricultural scientists the personnel from Ayurveda, Forestry, Ecology and Pharmacognosy should emphasize to the respective ancient science of Vriksayurveda and corelate with the modern science and the thorough validation is