Correspondence Address:
Dr. Niraj Kumar MD, Dept of Samhita Siddhanta, Major SD Singh PG Ayurved Medica college and Hospital, Fatehgarh, Farrukhabad UP Email:nnirajkumar1982@gmail.com
Date of Acceptance: 2025-05-10
Date of Publication:2025-05-15
Article-ID:IJIM_377_05_25 https://ijim.co.in
Source of Support: Nill
Conflict of Interest: None declared
How To Cite This Article: Kumar N, Day H. A Critical Study of Unidentified and Controversial Drugs Mentioned in Charaka Samhita Int J Ind Med 2025;6(4):57-64 DOI: http://doi.org/10.55552/IJIM.2025.6407
This study critically investigates the unidentified and controversial plant-based drugs (Oudbhida Dravya) described within the Charaka Samhita. The research aims to identify and list the drugs categorized as unidentified or controversial in classical and contemporary literature, particularly within the Sutrasthana and other relevant sections; analyze the reasons for their ambiguous status, such as regional variations in nomenclature, synonymous usage, and incomplete descriptions; explore attempts made in subsequent Ayurvedic texts and modern research to establish their botanical identities; and discuss the implications of these ambiguities for the accurate application of Ayurvedic principles and the standardization of traditional formulations. By examining these problematic Dravya, this study seeks to highlight the challenges in interpreting ancient Ayurvedic texts and the ongoing need for interdisciplinary approaches to clarify the identity and potential therapeutic value of these historically significant drugs.
Keywords: Charaka Samhita, Unidentified Drugs, Controversial Drugs, Ayurveda, Materia Medica, Botanical Identification
