Vaagbhata’s Classification of Drugs to 31 Groups

Vaagbhata’s Classification of Drugs to 31 Groups


1.Vamanaoushadhagana (Emetics)
Madana, Madhuka (Yashtimadhu), Lambaa (Tumbee), Nimba, Bimbee, Visaalaa (Indravarunee), Trapusa, Kutaja, Moorvaa, Devadaalee, Krimighna (Vidangam), Vidula (Jalavetasa). Dahana (Chitraka), Chitraa (Mooshikaparnee), Kosavatyou (ghantaalikaa, and Dhaamaargava), Karanja, Kanaa (Pippalee), Lavana (Saindhavalavana) Vachaa, Elaa and Sarshapa are used as emetics.


2.Virechanaoushdhagana (Purgatives)
Nikumbha (Dantee), Kumbha (Trivruth), Thriphalaa, Gavaakshee (Visaalaa), Snuk, Sankhinee (Yavatiktaa), Neelinee, Tilwaka (Rodhra), Samyaaka (Aaragwadha), Kampillaka, Hemadugdhaa, (Swarnaksheeree), Dugdham (Milk), Mootram (urine of cow etc) are used as purgatives.


3.Niroohana Dravyagana
Madanaphala, Kutaja (Twak), Kushtam, Devadaalee, Madhukam, Vachaa, Dasamoola, (See page Susruta’s classification of drugs), Daaru (Devadaaru), Raasnaa, Yava, Misi (Satapushpaa), Kritavedhanam (Dhaamaargava), Kuluththa, Madhu (honey), Lavanam (Saindhavam) and Trivruth are useful as ingredients of Niroohavasti.


4.Seershavirechaneeyagana
Vella (Vidanga), Apaamaarga, Vyosha (Trikatukam), Daarvee (Daaruharidraa), Suraalaa (Sreshta Sarjarasa), Saireeshabeeja, Baarhatabeeja (Brihatibeeja), Saigravambeejam (Sigrubeeja), Maadhooka Saara (Madhupushpasaara), Saindhavam, Taarkshyasailam (Sushkarasaanjanam), Trutyou (Sookshma Elaa and Sthoola Ela), and Prithveekaa (Hingupatree) are used for Seershavirechana (Sodhana Nasya).


5. Vaataharaganas
Bhadradaaru, Natam (Tagaram), Kushtam, Dasamoolam (See page Susruta’s classification of drugs) and Balaadwaya (Balaa and Atibala) constitute Bhadradaarwaadigana. The Bhadradaarwaadigana, Veeratarwaadigana and the Vidaaryadi gana (both of which follow) check Vaayu.


6. Pittaharaganas
Doorwaa, Anantaa (Yavaasa), Nimba, Vaasaa, Aatmaguptaa (Kapikachchu), Gundraa (Padrakaha), Abheeru (Sataavaree), Seetapaakee (Kaakanamtikaabheda) and Priyangu (Syaamaa) constitute Doorwaadigana which checks Pitta. So also Saaliparnee and Prisniparnee) Padmam (lotus), Vanyam (Kutannatam) and the Saaribaadi gana ameliorate pitta).


7. Kaphaharaganas
Aaragwadhaadi Gana, Arkaadi Gana, Mushkakaadi Gana, Asanaadi Gana, Surasaadi gana, Mustaadi gana and Vatsakaadi gana ameliorate Kapha Dosha.


8. Jeevaneeyaadi Gana
Jeevanthee, Kaakolee, Ksheerakaakolee, Medaa, Mahamedaa, Mudgaparnee, Maashaaparnee, Rishabhaka, Jeevaka and Madhuka (Yashtimadhu) constitute Jeevaneeyaadi gana. (The name of the gana itself implies that it confers vitality, (i.e., it is life-giving).


9. Vidaaryaadi Gana
Vidaaree, Panchaangula, (Eranda), Vrischikaalee (Meshasringee), Vrischeeva (Kshudravarshaabhoo), Devaahvaya (Devadaaru), two kinds of Soorpaparnee (Mudgaparnee and Maasaparnee), Kandookaree (Kapikachooh) Jeevana Panchamoolam (Abheeru, Veeraa, Jeevantee, Jeevaka and Rishabhaka), Hraswapanchamoolam (Brihatee, Kantakaree, Saalaparnee, Prisniparnee and Gokshuraka), Gopasutaa (Saaribaa) and Tripaadee (Hamsapadee) constitute Vidyaaryaadi gana.
The Vidaaryaadi gana is hridya (pleasing), Brimhana (tissue-builder), and it ameliorates Vaata and Pitta besides checking Sosha (wasting), Gulma (tumour), Angamarda (bodily soreness), Oordhwaswaasa (a kind of hard-breathing), and Kaasa (cough).


10. Saaribaadi Gana
Saaribaa, Useeram, Kaasmarya, Madhooka, Sisiradwayam (Chandanam and Raktachandanam), Yashtee (Yeshtimadhu) and Parooshakam constitute Saaribaadigana which ameliorate Daaha (burning sensation), Pitta, Rakta (disorders of), thirst and Jwara (fever.)


11. Padmaakadi Gana
Padmakam, Pundra (Prapoundareekam, Vriddhi, (Sraavanee), Tugaa (Vamsalochanaa), Riddhi (Mahaasraavanee), Sringee (Karkatasringee), Amritaa (Gudooc hee) and the drugs constituting Jeewantyaadi gana (aforesaid constitute Padmakaadi gana.
The ingredients of Padmakaadi gana increase the breast-milk, ameliorate the vitiated Pitta, cause satisfaction (Preenana), promote life (Jeevana) and build tissues (Brimhana); they are aphrodisiacs (Vrishya).


12. Parooshakaadi Gana
Parooshakam, Varaa (Triphala), Draakshaa, Katphalam, Katakaphalam, Raajaahvam (Aaragwadha), Daadimam, Saaka (Kharachchadam) constitute Parooshakaadi gana which ameliorates thirst, diseases pertaining to urine (Mootraamaya) and Vaata.


13. Anjanaadi Gana
Anjanam (Srotonjanam or Souveeraanjanam), Phalinee (Priyangu), Maamsee (Krishnajataa), Padmam (Lotus), Utpalam (Lily), Rasaanjanam, Elaa, Madhukam (Yashtimadhu), Naagaahvam (Naagakesaram) constitute Anjanaadi gana which ameliorates Visha (poison), Antardaaha (internal burning sensation), and Pitta.


14. Patolaadi Gana
Patola, Katurohinee, Chandanam, Madhusravaa (Surangee), Gudoochee and Paathaa constitute Patolaadi gana which checks Kapha, Pitta, Kushta, Jwara, Visha, Vami (Vomiting), Arochaka and Kaamalaa (Jaundice).


15. Gudoochyaadi Gana
Gudoochee, Padmaka, Arista (Nimba), Dhanakaa, (Dhaanyaka) and Raktachandanam constitute Gudoochyaadi Gana which ameliorates Pitta, Kapha, Jwara, Vomiting, burning sensation, and thirst; it promotes appetite.


16. Aaragwadhaadi Gana
Aarakwadha, Indrayava, Paatali (Vasantha Dootee), Kaakatiktaa (Saarangeshtaa), Nimba, Amritaa (Gudoochee), Madhurasaa (Moorvaa), Sruva Vriksha (Vikamkata), Paathaa (Ambashtaa), Bhoonimba, Sairyaka (Sahachara), Patola (Karanjayugma (Pooteekaranja and Naktamaala), Saptachchada (Saptaparna). Agni (Chitraka), Sushavee (Kaaravee), Phala (Madanaphala), Baana (Sahachara) and Ghontaa (Poogavisesha) constitute Aaragwadhaadi gana which checks vomiting. Kushta, Visha, Jwara, Kapha, itching and Prameha; it purifies Dushta Vrana.


17. Asanaadi Gana
Asana (Peeta Saala), Tinisa (Svadana), Bhoorja, Swetavaaha (Arjuna), Prakeerya (Pootikaranja), Khadira, Kadara (Swetasaara), Bhandee (Sireesha), Sinsapaa (Mandala-patrikaa), Meshasringee, Trihimam (Chandanam, Raktachandanam and Daaruharidraa), Tala (Taala), Palaasa (Kinsuka), Jongaka (Agaru), Saakam (Varadaaru), Saala, Kramuka (Pooga), Dhava (Sakata), Kulinga (Sakrayava), Chaagakarma and Aswakarna constitute Asanaadi Gana which ameliorates Switra (leucoderma), Kushta, Kapha, Krimi (worms), Paanduroga, Prameha and reduces Medodosha (obesity).


18. Varanaadi Gana
Varana, Sairyakayugma (Kuravaka and Kurantaka), Sataavaree, Dahana (Chitraka), Morata (Moorva), Bilwa, Vishaanikaa (Ajasringee), Dwibrihatee (Brihatee and KantaKaari), Dwikaranja (Pootikaranja and Naktamaala), Jayaadwayam (Tarkaaree and Hareethakee), Bahalapallava (Sobhaanjana), Darbha (Kusa) and Rujaakara (Hitaau) constitute Varanaadi Gana which checks Kapha, Medas (fat), Poor digestion (Mandaagni), Vaata (vitiated downwards), headache, Gulma, Baahyavidradhi and Antarvidradhi).


19. Ooshakaadi Gana
Ooshaka (Kallara); Tuththakam (Kitiha), Hingu, Kaaseesadwaya (Pushpakaaseesam and Paansukaaseesam), Saindhavam, Silaajatu constitute Ooshakaadi Gana which checks Mootrakrichra, Asma (calculus), Gulma, Medas (fat) and Kapha.


20. Veerataraadi Gana
Vellaantara (Veeratara or Useera), Aranika (Agnimandha), Booka (Easwara mallika), Vrisha (Vaasaa), Asmabheda (Paashaanabheda), Gokantaka (Gokshura), Itkataa, Saaachara, Baana, Kaasa, Vrikshaadance, Nala, Kusadwaya (Sthoola Darbha and Sookshma Darbha), Gunthaa (Vrintatrin) Gumdraa (Pada Eraka), Bhallooka Syonaaka), Moraa, Kuranta (Sitivaaraka), Karambha (Uttamaarani), Paarthaa (Suvarchalaa) constitute Veerataraadi gana. This Gana ameliorates diseases caused by vitiated Vaata; it is, further, beneficial in Asmaree (Caleulus), Sarkaraa (Sand in urine), Mootrakrichra (Dysuria), Mootraghaate (Dribbling of urine etc., and pain in urinary organs.


21. Rodhraadi Gana
Rodhra, Saavaraka Rodhra, Palaasa (Sathee), Jinginee (Krishnasaalmalee), Saralam (Devadaaru), Katphalam, Kutsitaamba (Kadamba), Kadalee (Rambhaa), Gatasoka (Asoka), Elavaalu, Paripelavam (Kutannatam) and Mocha (Sallakee) constitute Rodhraadi gana which reduces fat, Kapha, Yonidosha (disorders of Yoni), and which is astringent, complexion giving and antipoisonous.


22. Arkaadi Gana
Arka, Alarka (White flowered variety of Arka, Naagadanty, Visalvaa (Langalee), Bhaargee, Raasnaa, Vrishchikaalee (Ushtradhoomaka), Prakeeryaa (Karanjaka), Pratyakpushpee (Apaamaarga), Peetataila (Kaakaadanee), Udakeeryaa (Karamja), Swetaa Yagnam (Kinihi and Paalindee) and Taapasavriksha (Ingudee) constitute Arkaadigana. Arkaadi gana reduces Kapha, Medas (fat) and poison; it ameliorates Krimi, and Kushta; it purifies Vranas (ulcers) especially.


23. Surasaadi Gana
Surasayugma (Krishna Tulasi and Sweta Tulasi), Phanijjam (Mareechaka), Kaalamaalaa (Krishhnaarjaka), Vidangam. Kharabusa (Maruvaka), Vrishakarnee (Mooshikakarnee), Katpharam Kaasamarda, Kshavaka, Sarasee (Tumbarapatrikaa), Bhaargee (Angaaravalee), Kaamukaa, (Raktamanjaree), Kaakamaachee, Kalahala (Alambusa), Vishamushti (Kuchilaa), Bhoostrina (Atichatra), and Bhootakasee (Maamsee Putrachaaraa) constitute Surasaadigana which checks Kapha, Medas, Krimi, Pratisyaaya, Aruchi, (Anorexia), Swaasa (hard breathing), and Kaasa (cough) and which purifies the Vraas.


24. Mushkaakadi Gana
Mushkaka (Mokshaka), Snuk (Gudaa), Varaa (Triphala) Dweepi (Chitraka), Palaasa, Dhava and Sinsapaa constitute Mushkakaadigana which checks Gulma, Prameha, Asmaree, Paanduroga, Medas, Arsas (Piles), Kapha and Sukradosha.


25. Vatsakaadi Gana
Vatsaka (Vanatiktaka, Moorvaa, Bhaargee, Katukaa (Katurohinee), Maricham, Ghunapriyaa (Ativishaa), Gandeeram (Snuhee), Elaa, Paathaa, Ajaajee (Jeerakam), Katvangaphalam (Aralukaphalam), Ajamoda (Deepyaka), Siddhaartha (Goura sarshapa), Vachaa, Jeeraka, Hingu, Vindangam, Pasugandhaa (Ajagandhaa), and Panchakolakam (Pippalee, Pippaleemoola, Chavya, Chitraka and Sunthee) constitute Vatsakaadigana which checks Vasta, Kapha and Medas, Peenasa, Gulma, Jwara, Sools and Durnaama.


26. Vachaadi Gana
Vachaa, Jalada (Musta), Devaawa (Kilimam), Naagara (Sunthee), Ativishaa and Abhayaa constitute Vachaadigana.
Haridraa, Daaruharidraa, Yastyaahwa (Yashtimadhu), Kalasee (Prisniparnee), and Kutajodbhava (Indrayava) constitute Haridraadigana.
Both Vachaadigana and Haridraadigana check Aamaateesaara. They are also useful in Medas, excessive Kapha, Vaayu and impurities of breastmilk.


27. Privangwaadi Gana
Priyangu (Syaama), Pushpaanjanam (Reetipushpam), Anjanayugmam (Srotanjanam and Souveeranjanam), Padmaa (Padma chaarinee), Padmaadrajah (padmakesaram), Yojanavallee (Manjishtaa), Anantaa (Yavaasa), Maanadruma (Saalma lee), Mocha rasa (Saalmalee Niryaasaa), Samangaa (Namaskaaree), Punnaaga (Tunga), Seetham (Chandanam), Madaneeyaketuh (Dhaatakee) constitute Priyangwaadigana.


28. Ambashtaadi Gana
Ambaashtaa (Mayoorasikhaa), Madhukam (Yashtimadhu), Namaskaree (Samangaa), Nandeevriksha (Prarohee), Palaasa, Kachchura (Dhanvayaasa), Rodhram, Dhaatakee, Bilwapesika, Katwanga (Syonaka), and Kamalodhbhavam Rajah (Padmakesaram) constitute Ambashtaadigana.
Both Priyangwaadigana and Ambashtaadigana check Pakwaateesara; they are Sandhaaneeya (cause union of fractures etc.); they are beneficial in Pitta and cause healing of ulcers.


29. Mustaadi Gana
Mustaa, Vachaa, Agni (Chitraka), Dwinisaa (Haridraa and Daaruharidraa), Dwitiktaa (Katurohinee and Kaakatikta), Bhallaataka, Paathaa, Triphala, Vishaakhyaa (Suklakandaa), Kushtam, Trutee (Elaa), Haimavatee (Swetavachaa) constitute Mustaadigana which are curative of disorders of Vulva (Yoniroga) and breastmilk and are digestive of Malaas.


30. Nyagrodhaadi Gana
Nyagrodha (Vata), Pippalaa, (Aswattha), Sadaaphala (Udumbara), Rodhrayugmam (Rodhara and Saavara Rodhra), Jamboodwaya (Raaja Jamboo and Kaakajamboo), Arjuna, Kapeetana (Vaaneera), Somavalka (Sitasaarakhadira), Plaksha, Aamra, Vanjula (Vetasa), Piyaala, Palaasa, Nandee (Jayavriksha), Kolee (Badaree), Kadamba, Viralaa (Tindukee), Madhukam (Yashtimadhu) and Madhookam (Madhookapushpam) constitute Nyagrodhaadigana. Nyagrodhaadi Gana helps to heal the Vranas, is astringent and useful in fractures (Bhagnasaadhanah); it also checks Medas, Pitta, Rakta, thirst, Daaha (burning sensation) and Yoniroga.


31. Elaadi Gana
Elayugmam (Sookshmai Elaa and Sthoola Elaa), Turuska (a kind of artificial gum), Kushtam, Phalinee (Ganda-Priyangu), Maamsee (Nalandam), Jalam (Hreeberam), Dhyaamakam (Devadagdhakam), Sprikkaa (Devee), Chouraka (Grandhiparnee), Chocha (Twak), Patram (Gandhapatram), Tagaram (Chakram), Sthowneyam (Tailapeetakam), Jaateerasa (Bola), Sukti (Nakha), Vyaagranakha, Amaraahwam (Devadaaru), Aguru, Sreevaasakam, Kunkumam, Chandana, Guggulu, Devadhoopa (Sarjarasa), Khapura, (Kunduruka), Punnaaga (Raktakesara), and Naagaahwayam (Naagakesaram) constitute Elaadigana.
Elaadigana reduces Vaata, Kapha and Visha (Poison); it develops complexion of the body; it also cures itching. Pitikaa (elevated swellings like abscesses etc.) and Kothas (red eruptions on skin).


32. Syaamnadi Gana
Syaamaa (Syaamatrivrit), Dantee (Chitraa), Dravantee (Undurukarnikaa), Kramuka (Pattikaalodhra), Kutaranee (Suklaa), Sankhinee (Yavatiktaa), Charmasaahwaa (Saatalaa), Swarnaksheeree, Gavaakshee, Sikhari (Apaamaarga), Rajanaka, Karanja, Bastaantree (Vrishaandhaa), Vyaadhighata (Kritamaala), Bahalabahurasa (Ikshu) and Teekshnavrikshaphala (Peeluphala) constitute Syaamaadi gana. Yaamadi checks Gulma, Visha (Poison), Aruchi (Anorexia), Kapha, Hridriga and Mootrakrichra (Dysuria).