Abstract

THERAPEUTIC REVIEW ON AN AUSPICIOUS GRASS: DURVA (CYNODON DACTYLON LINN. PERS): FROM KOSHA AND NIGHANTUS

Dr. Sharda Singh, Kumar Sanjeev, Dr. Kamal Nayan Dwivedi, Dr Shashi Kant Pandey,

Abstract

Durva (Cynodon dactylon Linn. Pers., Family- Poaceae), is a perennial herbaceous creeping grass distributed throughout India, ascending up to 1500 m in the lower Himalayas. It is one of the ten medicinal plants that constitute the group „Dashapushpam‟, culturally and therapeutically linked to folk of Kerala. The species possesses immense therapeutic as well as other potential uses. In this work a Nighantu of Sushruta named Saushruta Nighantu and another by Vagbhata the Ashtanga Nighantu are discussed. Ayurvedic medicare system has attained popularity at global level to replace the synthetic chemicals as they have shown less adverse reactions. Plants have been one of the important sources of medicines since the beginning ofhuman cultivation. There is a growing demand for plant based medicines, health products, pharmaceuticals, food supplements, cosmetics etc. The present work aims to discuss Durva in various Nighantus as manuscripts for just as evidence - in a chronological order.

Keywords: Durva, Ayurveda, Nighantu, Cynodon dactylon.