Dhravya Guna Shastra

Dravya Guna Shastra is one of the most fundamental and comprehensive branches of Āyurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. The term derives from Sanskrit, where Dravya means substance or material, Guna means qualities or properties, and Shastra means science or systematic study. Thus, Dravya Guna Shastra literally translates to the “science of medicinal substances and their properties”.
It deals with the identification, classification, and therapeutic application of natural substances — mainly of plant, animal, and mineral origin — used in Ayurvedic medicine. Often regarded as the materia medica and pharmacology of Ayurveda, Dravya Guna Shastra serves as a bridge between the theoretical foundations of Ayurveda and its practical applications in healing and treatment.

Historical Background

The knowledge of medicinal substances in India has evolved over several millennia. The roots of Dravya Guna Shastra can be traced to the Vedic period (1500–600 BCE), where medicinal herbs were mentioned in texts like the Rigveda and Atharvaveda.
Later, the classical Ayurvedic compendia such as:

• Charaka Saṃhitā (focused on internal medicine),
• Suśruta Saṃhitā (focused on surgery and pharmacology), and
• Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya by Vāgbhaṭa,

provided systematic discussions on medicinal substances, their properties, actions, and therapeutic uses.
Nighaṇṭus (Ayurvedic lexicons or materia medica), such as Dhanvantari Nighaṇṭu, Bhāvaprakāśa Nighaṇṭu, and Rāja Nighaṇṭu, later elaborated on these substances in great detail, forming the classical basis of Dravya Guna Shastra as an independent discipline.

Scope and Importance

Dravya Guna Shastra encompasses a detailed study of:

1. Dravya (substance): The material basis of the medicine.
2. Guna (qualities): The inherent properties influencing the body and mind.
3. Rasa (taste), Virya (potency), Vipaka (post-digestive effect), and Prabhava (specific action): Fundamental concepts explaining how a substance acts in the body.
4. Karma (action): The pharmacological and therapeutic actions of the substance.

This branch serves as the Ayurvedic equivalent of pharmacology, pharmacognosy, and therapeutics in modern medicine.

Fundamental Concepts of Dravya Guna Shastra

1. Dravya (Substance)

Dravya is the basic material that produces a therapeutic effect when used properly. Ayurveda classifies all substances under Pañcamahābhūta theory — the five elements:

• Prithvi (Earth), Ap (Water), Tejas (Fire), Vayu (Air), and Akasha (Ether).

Every dravya is a combination of these elements, and its therapeutic nature depends on their predominance.

2. Guna (Qualities)

Gunas are inherent attributes that define the character of a dravya.Ayurveda recognises 20 primary gunas, arranged in 10 opposing pairs:

These gunas interact with the body’s doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and determine a substance’s therapeutic or pathological influence.

3. Rasa (Taste)

Rasa is the immediate sensory property perceived on consumption. Ayurveda identifies six tastes (Shadrasa):

1. Madhura (Sweet)
2. Amla (Sour)
3. Lavana (Salty)
4. Katu (Pungent)
5. Tikta (Bitter)
6. Kashaya (Astringent)

Each rasa has a specific effect on doshas and contributes to the dravya’s pharmacodynamics.

4. Virya (Potency)

Virya denotes the active energy responsible for the immediate effect of a drug. It is classified as:

• Ushna Virya (Hot potency): Stimulates metabolism, alleviates Vata and Kapha.
• Shita Virya (Cold potency): Soothes and reduces Pitta and inflammation.

5. Vipaka (Post-Digestive Effect)

Vipaka is the final taste or metabolic transformation a substance undergoes after digestion. It determines the long-term effect on tissues and doshas.

• Madhura Vipaka (Sweet post-effect) – Nourishing and anabolic.
• Amla Vipaka (Sour post-effect) – Stimulating and mildly catabolic.
• Katu Vipaka (Pungent post-effect) – Drying and catabolic.

6. Prabhava (Specific Action)

Prabhava refers to a unique or unexplained pharmacological effect that cannot be predicted from rasa, guna, virya, or vipaka — a sort of special potency or inherent specificity.
For example:

• Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) reduces cholesterol due to prabhava.
• Trivrit (Operculina turpethum) acts as a purgative despite being sweet in taste.

Classification of Dravyas (Medicinal Substances)

Dravyas are classified based on their origin, action, and use:

1. Based on Origin:
   • Jangama Dravya (Animal origin): e.g., milk, honey, ghee.
   • Audbhida Dravya (Plant origin): e.g., herbs like Ashwagandha, Neem, Tulsi.
   • Parthiva or Khanija Dravya (Mineral origin): e.g., mica, sulphur, salts.
2. Based on Action (Karma):
   • Deepana (appetiser), Pachana (digestive), Virechana (purgative), Rasayana (rejuvenative), etc.
3. Based on Dosha Effect:
   • Substances that pacify Vata, Pitta, or Kapha doshas respectively.

Methodology of Study in Dravya Guna Shastra

The study of medicinal substances in Ayurveda follows a detailed scientific method:

1. Identification and Classification of Plants: Based on morphology and habitat.
2. Determination of Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka, and Prabhava.
3. Assessment of Pharmacological Actions (Karma).
4. Therapeutic Applications: Understanding clinical uses based on dosha imbalance.
5. Toxicity and Contraindications: Ensuring safe usage and correct dosage.

Sources of Knowledge

Knowledge in Dravya Guna Shastra comes from two main sources:

1. Apta (Authoritative Texts): Classical Ayurvedic treatises and Nighantus.
2. Anubhava (Practical Experience): Empirical observations and clinical trials by physicians.

Modern Ayurvedic research integrates phytochemical analysis, pharmacology, and clinical studies with traditional knowledge to validate and enhance understanding.

Practical Importance of Dravya Guna Shastra

1. Pharmacognosy and Identification:
   • Helps identify medicinal plants and raw materials based on their characteristics.
2. Pharmacodynamics:
   • Explains how drugs interact with doshas and dhatus (tissues) to restore balance.
3. Formulation Development:
   • Basis for creating herbal formulations, decoctions (Kashayas), powders (Churnas), and oils (Tailas).
4. Personalised Medicine:
   • Guides practitioners in prescribing medicine according to individual constitution (Prakriti).
5. Conservation and Research:
   • Encourages documentation, cultivation, and conservation of medicinal flora.

Modern Relevance

Dravya Guna Shastra remains relevant today in multiple ways:

• Forms the foundation of Ayurvedic pharmacology and drug standardisation.
• Promotes natural and holistic medicine based on ecological and sustainable principles.
• Integrates well with modern pharmacognosy, phytotherapy, and nutraceutical research.
• Plays a role in global recognition of Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha, Turmeric, and Triphala.