ASTROLOGICAL MEDICINAL PLANTS AND PHYTOTHERAPY: INSIGHTS FROM NAVAGRAHA, RASI AND NAKSHATRA TRADITIONS

Astrological medicinal plants are an uncommon overlapping of traditional knowledge systems, beliefs, and medical utilization of plants.It critically examines the contributions of Indian astrological traditions of medicinal plants of the Navagraha (nine planets), Rasi (twelve zodiac signs), and Nakshatra (twenty-seven lunar mansions) and determines how they can be used in phytotherapy today.The literature sources used in the research comprise those that are contained in the Scopus-indexed journals and the ancient Ayurvedic and Siddha literature, which examines the role and use of cosmic associations in the past in the selection of medicinal plants, their use and preservation.The review highlights that many astrological plants, including Ocimum tenuiflorum, Azadirachta indica, Withania somnifera, and Emblica officinalis, possess well-documented pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and adaptogenic activities.These results indicate that conventional astrological systems can be used as culturally substantiated systems of arranging empirical knowledge of medicine.Besides, the significance of customary practices in conserving and sustainable use of biodiversity is indicated.Despitethe fact that the scientific basis of planetary influence is not decisive, the existing study gives high ratings about the effectiveness of these plants in treatment.The review notes the importance of interdisciplinary methodologies in order to validate and prove the applicability of astrological ethnobotany in evidence-based phytotherapies and holistic healthcare systems.