Review of Ancient Indian Botanical Literature for Better Health and Clean Environment - A Basic Human Right

IntroductionThe constitution of India emphasized on seven fundamental rights and they were considered essential for the development of the personality of every individual and to preserve human dignity. These are right to equality, Right to freedom, Right to education, Right against exploitation, Right to freedom of religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, Right to constitutional remedies, Right to information but not mentioned about basic human right i.e. Clean environment for better human health. But the Indian traditional system of health and longevity i.e. Ayurveda and many more similar literatures have rightly mentioned about health of every living organism, and its surrounding environment.Ayurveda is the ancient (6000-3500 BC) Indian system of healthcare and longevity. The word philosophy refers to love of truth and in Ayurveda, truth is Being, Pure Existence, the source of all life. Ayurveda is a science of truth as it is expressed in life. Though we don't have in-depth knowledge about the period of Ayurveda and its authors, we Indians, strongly believe in the information available about Ayurveda. Around 1050 plants are currently used in the various ayurvedic preparations (Warrier et. al. 1996). Ayurveda has a vast literature in Sanskrit and various Indian languages covering various aspects of diseases, therapeutics and pharmacy.Every species has its importance in its ecosystem as wild plant or animal and it can provide new genetic material for improvement. Economically important plants were over exploited to meet the demand of growing population throughout the globe and resulted in the drastic decline in the size of their populations. Due to the over exploitation of natural plant wealth some species have already become extinct and there are many facing danger of extinction. Therefore, conservation of our declining biological wealth directly affects the ecology and environment. There is very interesting relationship between biodiversity and cultural diversity in the area of medicinal plants that is being lost equally because of the loss of biodiversity associated with it also, of the natural habitat and the various pressures that generally on biodiversity (Devarkar, 2001).Review of LiteratureThe earliest references to medicinal plants are found in Rig-Veda and Atharva-Veda, dating back to the fourth millennium BC. Charak Samhita (3500 BC) is the first recorded treatise, fully devoted to concepts and practice of Ayurveda. It listed 526 plants and plant products for use in the medicine. Sushrut Samhita (2500 BC) has special emphasis on the surgery. It describes 395 medicinal plants; 57 drugs of animal origin; 64 mineral and metals as therapeutic agents. Another important authority of Ayurveda is Vagbhatta of Sindh (presently in Pakistan), who practiced around 7th century AD. His work Ashtang Hridayam is considered unrivalled for the principles and practice of the medicine. The last celebrated writer on Hindu medicine was Bhav Mishra of Magadha, whose treatise Bhav-Prakash is written around 1550, is held in high esteem by modern Ayurvedic practitioners for its descriptions of about 470 medicinal plants. Apart from these many Nighantu Granths were written between 7th and 16th centuries (Kirtikar & Basu, 1918; Nadkarni, 1995; Sadhale & Nene, 2009).Ayurvedic texts were much respected in the neighboring countries. They were translated in various languages eg. Greek (300 BC), Tibetan & Chinese (300 AD), Persian & Arabic (700 AD). Kautilya's Arthshastra (400 BC) makes mention of some food plants, can sustain hunger for long time i.e. up to a month. Charak has mentioned about the International Conference held at that time entitled "Adya Aantarrashtriya Vaidya Parishad" in his Book Charak Samhita, in first chapter. He also mentioned about the active participants like Rishi Angira, Rishi Jamadgni, Rishi Vashishtha, Rishi Kashyapa, Rishi Bhrigu, Rishi Agneya, Rishi Gautam, Rishi Sankhya, Rishi Pulastya, Rishi Narada, Rishi Asita, Rishi Agastya, Rishi Wandev, Rishi Markandeya, etc. …