Dravyaguna

Dravyaguna Vijnan deals with attributes (gunas), actions (Karmas) and uses (upayogas) of medicinally useful herbs and some products of animal origin.Thus, it is a science which deals with dravya (Substance), Guna (Attribute), Rasa (Taste), veerya (Potency), vipaka (Post digestive effect), prabhava (Specific Property), and karma (Action).

Seven Padarthas Dravya, guna, karma, rasa, vipaka, veerya and prabhava are called as sapta-padarthas. 

Basic foundations for using herbs

1. Sapta-padarthas

1. Dravya
2. Rasa
3. Vipaka
4. Veerya
5. Guna
6. Prabhava
7. Karma

 1) Dravya (Substance)

A substance which maintains an inherent relation with guna (properties) and karma (actions) is known as ‘dravya’. It is further clarified that a karyadravya (drugs etc) which is used in the health management as well as in the disease treatment will definitely possess some or the other pharmacological properties e.g. Haritaki, Sata Godhuma, Brahmi etc.

2) Rasa (Taste)

The property which is perceived by means of Rasanendriya (taste-buds) is known rasa. The taste of a substance will be detected only when it is exposed to the tongue and when the taste buds are functioning correctly. Ayurveda accepted six tastes viz., Madhur (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salt), Kațu (Pungent), Tikta (bitter) and Kashaya (astringent).

Interrelation between Rasa & Mahabhoota:

Interrelation between Rasa & Dosha:

3) Vipaka (Post digestive effect)

The change in the original taste of a substance at the end of digestion, due to the action of agni (Digestive Fire) is called Vipaka. Thus, six rasas are converted to three vipakas viz. Madhura (Sweet), amala (Sour) and katu (Pungent). 

Relation between Rasa & Vipaka

Vipaka-Dosha-Dhatu-Mala relation

4) Veerya (Potency)

Veerya is the property by which the drug produces the therapeutic effect. The inherent power of a substance due to which it brings about its action in the body is called Veerya. It is also mentioned that every action of a drug is under the control of veerya. e.g. Sheeta-veerya (Cold potency) and Ushna-veerya (Hot potency).

5) Guņa (Physical Property)

Guna is the property which will have inherent relation with the dravya but remain inactive. That means it cannot perform any activity of its own without the help of Dravya. eg. snigdha (unctuous), shita (cold), tiksna (stimulant) etc. Though all the physical as well as the chemical properties are considered as guna only, specifically physical properties need to be correlated to gunas in majority of cases, chemical properties usually represent the rasa, virya and vipaka. Gurvadi Guna- Guru[Heaviness], Laghu[Lightness], Manda[Dullness], Tikshna[Sharpness],Sita[Coldnesss], Usna[Heatness], Snigdha[Soothingness], Ruksha[Dryness], Sthira[Immobility], Sara[Mobility], Mridu[Softness]Kathina[Hardness],  Visada[clearness],Pischila[Sliminess],Slakshna[Smoothness], Khara[Roughness], Sukshma [Minuteness],  Sthula [Bulkiness], Sandra [Solidity], Drava [Fluidity].

6) Prabhava (non-specific activity)

When a drug produces some action which is not in accordance with the constituent’s viz., Rasa, Guņa, Veerya and Vipaka, then it is denoted as Prabhava, e.g. Shirish acting as Vishaghn.

Cardiotonic (hridya) action of arjuna is due to its prabhava as these cannot be explained on the basis of their respective rasa, vipaka and veerya.

Prabhav Janya Karma

Aushadhiya karma – Danti      – Rechana

Agdiya krma           – Shirish  -Vishaghna

Rakshoghna karma- Jatamansi, Guggul

Manas karma          – Manidharana

Bhoutik karma        – Magnet

7) Karma (Pharmacological action) 

Karma means Action. The factor (residing in the dravya) which literally acts (on the dosha/dhatu/mala), that is karma. That which performs is karma.

        1) Shodhana Karama- Panchakrma (Purification action)

        2) Shamana karma (Pacifying action)

e.g. Dipana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Vamana- Vomiting,Virechana- purgative,  Basti- Enema, Nasya- Nasal drops etc.

When you are using any drug, need to think about some of these basic principles of Ayurveda.

1. Tridosh Siddhant
2. Panchamahabhuta Siddhanta
3. Lokapurusha Siddhanta