Department of Dravyaguna Vigyana (Pharmacology)

Department Overview

The Science of Medicinal Plants

Dravyaguna plays an integral role in Ayurveda, dealing with the Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya, and Prabhava (pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) of medicinal plants. It is the science of identification, collection, storage, and preservation of drugs of plant origin.

Quick Fact

The Pharmacology

"Dravyaguna classifies over 600 medicinal plants not just by their chemical action but by their Taste (Rasa), Potency (Virya), and Post-digestive effect (Vipaka)."

Our department serves as a bridge between ancient Ayurvedic therapies and modern scientific study. We focus on identifying analogies in contemporary science, such as pharmacology and pharmacognosy, to validate therapeutic applications. By understanding how herbs balance the body's Doshas (Pitta, Kapha, Vata), we enable customized treatment regimens for patients.

Core Activities

Pharmacognosy: Identification and quality control of medicinal plants.
Conservation: Preservation and cultivation of therapeutic herbs in our 4000+ sqm Herbal Garden.
Research: Investigating novel medications and revalidating traditional ones.

Quick Facts

279+ Herbal Garden Plants
187+ Dry Drug Specimens
Drug Testing Laboratory
Digital Herbarium

Vision

To gain recognition as a center of excellence in delivering high-quality medical education and research in Dravyaguna. We aim to create a platform for research in ancient and modern medical science and create awareness among common people about the uses of medicinal plants.

Mission

Research origins, characteristics, and effects of therapeutic herbs.
Identify analogies in pharmacology and pharmacognosy.
Start and encourage preservation and production of therapeutic plants.
Guide students to improve their professional abilities in drug identification and usage.

Academic Goals

Objectives & Outcomes

Learning Objectives

Provide thorough education covering traditional and modern knowledge.
Establish facilities for quality assurance and analytical testing.
Create a digital herbarium and basic drug repository.
Investigate novel medications using Ayurvedic and scientific methods.
Conduct regular seminars, workshops, and journal clubs.

Student Outcomes

Application of Dravyaguna principles in clinical practice.
Interpretation of Rasa Panchaka and Karma (pharmacological actions).
Skill in identifying medicinal plants, adulterants, and substitutes.
Knowledge of quality control methods and plant extraction.
Orientation towards conservation and sustainable utilization.

Green Pharmacy

Divya Aushadhi Vana (Herbal Garden)

Our department boasts a sprawling 4047 sq. mt. herbal garden, a living laboratory for our students. It houses over 270 species of medicinal plants, ranging from common herbs to rare and endangered species.

Garden Highlights

1362

Total Plants

279

Species

Rare

Species Collection

Facilities & Resources

Department Infrastructure

Comprehensive resources for study and research

Local Name	Botanical Name	Family	Uses
Kaincha	Abrus precatorius	Fabaceae	Nervous Disorders, Aprhodisiac
Bacha	Acorus calamus	Araceae	Appetiser, Kidney Stones
Apamarga	Achyranthes aspera	Amaranthaceae	Asthma, Skin Diseases
Vasaka	Adhatoda vasica	Acanthaceae	Cough, Asthma
Bel (Bilwa)	Aegle marmelos	Rutaceae	Digestive, Respiratory
Gheekumari	Aloe vera	Liliaceae	Liver, Skin
Satabari	Asparagus racemosus	Liliaceae	Tonic
Neem	Azadirachta indica	Meliaceae	Antiseptic, Skin
Brahmi	Bacopa monnieri	Scrophulariaceae	Brain Tonic
Ashoka	Saraca asoca	Fabaceae	Gynaecological
Tulasi	Ocimum sanctum	Lamiaceae	Respiratory
Arjuna	Terminalia arjuna	Combretaceae	Heart Tonic
Aswagandha	Withania somnifera	Solanaceae	General Tonic
Guduchi	Tinospora cordifolia	Menispermaceae	Immunity, Fever
Pippali	Piper longum	Piperaceae	Respiratory, Digestive
Haridra	Curcuma longa	Zingiberaceae	Anti-inflammatory

List truncated for web display. Full inventory of 279 species (1362 total plants) includes Amla, Bhringraj, Haritaki, Bibhitaki, Chandan, Sarpgandha, etc.

Museum collection for drug identification teaching.

Jeerak
Ela (Cardamom)
Lavanga (Clove)
Jatiphala (Nutmeg)
Ashwagandha Root

Arjuna Bark
Guduchi
Pippali
Maricha (Pepper)
Haritaki

Vacha Rhizome
Yashtimadhu
Shatavari
Gokshura
Bhallataka

Mineral Drugs (Shilajatu, Gandhaka)
Marine Drugs (Samudraphena, Shukti)
Poisons (Vatsanabha, Kuchila - Stored Safely)

Item	Qty	Item	Qty
Binocular Microscope	18	Digital Weighing Scale	4
Dissecting Microscope	10	TLC Kit	1
Hot Air Oven	1	Muffle Furnace	1
pH Meter	1	Soxhlet Apparatus	1
Heating Mantle	3	UV Cabinet	1
Water Bath	1	Viscometer	10

Extensive collection covering Nighantus, Dravyaguna Vigyan, Pharmacology and Samhitas.

Key Titles:

Charaka Samhita (Multiple Vols & Editions)
Dravyaguna Vigyan (P.V. Sharma, J.L.N. Sastri, Gyanendra Pandey)
Bhavaprakash Nighantu
Dhanwantari Nighantu
Indian Medicinal Plants
Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses
Kaiyadeva Nighantu
Raj Nighantu

Detailed charts for 50 major medicinal plants including Aragvadha, Amalaki, Ashwagandha, Guduchi, Pippali, Haritaki, etc., displaying morphology and properties.

Our Team

Meet Our Faculty

Experts in Dravyaguna

Teaching Faculty

Prof. (Dr.) Shiva Prasad Mohanty

Associate Professor

Teacher Code: 1002133 Registration No: 1057

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Non-Teaching Staff

Prabhu Kalyan Tripathy

Lab Technician

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Academic Departments

Department of Dravyaguna Vigyana