Dravya Guna: Ayurvedic Pharmacology

• Dravya Guna is a branch of Ayurveda that deals with pharmacognosy, pharmacology, and materia medica.
• It focuses on the properties, actions, and therapeutic uses of substances, mainly herbal drugs.
• It provides the fundamental principles for understanding how different substances affect the body.
• The knowledge of Dravya Guna helps in the selection and application of appropriate drugs for treating diseases.

Basic Concepts of Dravya

• Dravya refers to substance or matter, which possesses qualities and actions.
• Guna refers to the qualities or attributes of a substance.
• Karma refers to the actions or effects of a substance on the body.
• These three—Dravya, Guna, and Karma—are fundamental to understanding drug action in Ayurveda.

Pancha Mahabhutas (Five Basic Elements)

• According to Ayurvedic philosophy, all matter, including drugs, is composed of five basic elements (Pancha Mahabhutas): Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jala or Ap), Fire (Agni or Tejas), Air (Vayu), and Ether (Akasha).
• Each element contributes specific properties to the substance.
• Understanding the elemental composition helps in predicting the properties and actions of a drug.
  • Earth (Prithvi): Heaviness, stability, and structure.
  • Water (Jala or Ap): Liquidity, coolness, and cohesion.
  • Fire (Agni or Tejas): Heat, transformation, and energy.
  • Air (Vayu): Movement, dryness, and lightness.
  • Ether (Akasha): Space, emptiness, and sound.

Rasas (Tastes)

• Rasa refers to the taste of a substance, which influences its action on the body.
• There are six primary tastes: Sweet (Madhura), Sour (Amla), Salty (Lavana), Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta), and Astringent (Kashaya).
  • Sweet (Madhura): Increases Kapha, decreases Vata and Pitta.
  • Sour (Amla): Increases Kapha and Pitta, decreases Vata.
  • Salty (Lavana): Increases Kapha and Pitta, decreases Vata.
  • Pungent (Katu): Increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha.
  • Bitter (Tikta): Increases Vata, decreases Kapha and Pitta.
  • Astringent (Kashaya): Increases Vata, decreases Kapha and Pitta.
• Each taste is composed of two dominant Mahabhutas, influencing their effects.
• The taste of a drug is the first aspect to determine its effect on the body.

Gunas (Qualities)

• Guna refers to the qualities or attributes of a substance.
• Ayurvedic texts describe 20 fundamental Gunas, which are arranged in pairs of opposites.
• These qualities influence the physiological and pharmacological actions of drugs.
• Examples of Gunas:
  • Guru (Heavy) and Laghu (Light)
  • Sita (Cold) and Ushna (Hot)
  • Snigdha (Unctuous) and Ruksha (Dry)
  • Manda (Slow) and Tikshna (Sharp)
  • Sthira (Stable) and Chala (Mobile)
  • Mridu (Soft) and Kathina (Hard)
  • Vishada (Non-slimy) and Picchila (Slimy)
  • Shlakshna (Smooth) and Khara (Rough)
  • Sandra (Dense) and Drava (Liquid)

Vipaka (Post-Digestive Effect)

• Vipaka refers to the effect of a substance after digestion.
• It describes how a substance is transformed in the digestive process and its subsequent impact on the Doshas.
• There are three primary types of Vipaka:
  • Sweet (Madhura): Generally nourishing and building.
  • Sour (Amla): Fermentative and heating.
  • Pungent (Katu): Catabolic and drying.
• Vipaka is an important factor in determining the long-term effects of a drug.

Prabhava (Specific Potency)

• Prabhava refers to the unique and specific potency of a substance, which cannot be explained by Rasa, Guna, or Vipaka alone.
• It is the inherent, distinct property of a drug that determines its special therapeutic action.
• Prabhava accounts for the specific effects that some drugs have, even when their Rasa, Guna, and Vipaka might suggest otherwise.
• It highlights the complexity and individuality of drug action in Ayurveda.

Karma (Action)

• Karma refers to the actions or effects of a substance on the body.
• It describes the therapeutic uses and pharmacological activities of a drug.
• Common actions include:
  • Deepana (Appetizer)
  • Pachana (Digestive)
  • Anulomana (Carminative)
  • Sramsana (Laxative)
  • Rechana (Purgative)
  • Vamana (Emetic)
  • Rasayana (Rejuvenative)
  • Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac)

Veerya (Potency)

• Veerya represents the potency or active energy of a substance, which determines its therapeutic efficacy.
• Traditionally, Veerya is classified into two main types: Heating (Ushna) and Cooling (Sheet).
• However, some scholars recognize eight types of Veerya based on the Pancha Mahabhutas.
• Veerya influences the drug's ability to impact the body's temperature, metabolism, and overall balance.

Doshic Influence

• The concept of Doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) is central to Ayurvedic pharmacology.
• Each substance influences the Doshas based on its Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Prabhava, and Veerya.
• Balancing the Doshas is crucial for maintaining health and treating diseases.
  • Vata: Governs movement and nerve impulses.
  • Pitta: Controls metabolism and transformation.
  • Kapha: Provides structure and lubrication.
• Understanding how a drug affects the Doshas helps in selecting the appropriate remedy for a particular condition.

Importance of Dravya Guna

• Dravya Guna provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the properties and actions of substances.
• It enables practitioners to select and use drugs effectively.
• It allows for individualized treatment based on the patient's unique constitution (Prakriti) and the nature of the disease (Vikriti).
• The principles of Dravya Guna are essential for formulating effective herbal remedies and maintaining health.