Ayurvedic Botany and Medicinal Practices in Medieval India: A Sanskrit-Based Study of Plant Usage in Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas with Reference to Nashik Flora

Abstract The use of medicinal plants has been a cornerstone of traditional healing systems in India, particularly within the Ayurvedic tradition. This paper, titled "Medicinal Plant Usage in Medieval Indian Texts: An Exploration of Ayurvedic Botany," delves into the historical documentation and botanical knowledge preserved in medieval Indian texts. Ayurveda, an ancient science of life, emphasized the therapeutic properties of plants, categorizing them based on their medicinal value, habitat, and physiological effects on the human body. Medieval Indian texts like the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Bhavaprakasha provide detailed descriptions of numerous medicinal plants, their therapeutic applications, and methods of cultivation and preparation. These texts played a crucial role in formalizing the use of plants in treating diseases, improving health, and promoting longevity. They highlight the holistic approach to medicine, where the balance of mind, body, and spirit was achieved through plant-based remedies. The paper explores the scientific classification of these plants in medieval botany, comparing it to modern taxonomic systems. Additionally, it discusses the role of Ayurvedic scholars in documenting ethnobotanical knowledge and how this contributed to the preservation and advancement of botany during the medieval period. By analyzing the use of plants in both preventive and curative medicine, the paper provides insights into the socio-cultural and economic importance of medicinal plants in medieval Indian society. This study also sheds light on the enduring influence of Ayurvedic botany on contemporary herbal medicine and highlights its relevance in the context of global efforts to integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches.