Abstract:

The Atharvaveda, the fourth Veda composed around 1200–1000 BCE, is considered the earliest systematic Indian text on medicine and healing. It contains Bhaiṣajya Sūktās or “hymns on medicine” that describe diseases, their causes, and plant-based remedies, forming the foundation of Ayurveda. The text shows remarkable insight into health sciences, with detailed descriptions of medicinal herbs and their uses.

Hymn 8.7 praises a wide variety of healing plants — “tawny colored, pale, variegated, red, dusky, and black” — including spreading herbs, bushy plants, creepers, and reed-like species, invoking them to deliver humans from consumption and other diseases. The Atharvaveda classifies plants by form and habitat, reflecting early botanical knowledge.

Examples of medicinal plants mentioned:

1. Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera) – used for cough, asthma, and digestive disorders.

2. Pippali (Piper longum) – prescribed for fever, respiratory ailments, and as a rejuvenator.

3. Kushtha (Saussurea lappa) – valued for skin diseases and as an antiseptic.

4. Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) – used for heart-related conditions.

5. Soma – a sacred plant mentioned for strength, vitality, and ritual healing.

This study examines how the Atharvaveda integrates empirical plant use with ritual and prayer, presenting a holistic approach to health. Many Atharvan medical terms and plant remedies continue to be used in traditional Ayurveda, demonstrating the text’s lasting impact on India’s herbal medical heritage.

Keywords:

Atharvaveda, Medicinal plant, Ayurveda, Disease, skin, prayer

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