Ancient Science of Life, Vol. IV, No.

3 January 1985, Page 153-157

INTRODUCTION TO PUSHPA AYURVEDA

K.P. VARADHAN

Sri Rama Krishna Ayurvedashram, Gadwal 509 125, India.

Received: June 13, 1984 Accepted: October 20, 1984

ABSTRACT: In this paper the author describes the origin and development of pushpa
Ayurveda or floral therapy, a special branch of Ayurvea. The strict adherence of nonviolent
principles necessitated the Jain Medical Pundits to develop this branch and put it on a proper
pedestal.

Introduction: Mahavira was the contemporary of Buddha.

He was also a staunch follower of Ahimsa.
Vedas are considered to be the source books The jains were strict adherents of non-
of all the Indian Arts and sciences. violence. They differed from the traditional
Ayurveda, being Upaveda to Atharvana line of treatment established by caraka,
Veda is divided into eight parts and they are susruta and others who included the blood
known as Astangas, Kaya, Bala, Graha, and flesh of animals and birds in the
Salya, Salakya, Agada, Rasayana and preparation of medicines. They thought
Vajikarana Tantras. The ancient physicians more of a pious and gently method of
of Ayurveda like caraka Susruta, Vagbhata, treatment which does not involve killing of
Bhela and Haritaka by dint of their any living being. Hence they selected
continuous observation and experimentation flowers to be a fitting media for curing
evolved their own system or method of various ailments. The main virtue
treatment. They composed treatises which Bhutadaya Pascattapa or sympathy towards
are known after their names. As far back as living beings gave inspiration to discover
2000 B.C when Sahadeva, Salihotra and treatment through flowers. In the context a
palakapya were prominent physicians we peep into the forward given by the
come across in ‘Pasu Vaidyam’ treatments publishers to ‘Kalyana Karaka’, an
given to plants, animals and birds. Ahimsa Ayurvedic Treatise written by Ugraditya
or non- violence being cardinal creed of Acarya, a Jain Physician of 9th Century is
Buddhism, we find several hospitals opened relevant. An extract of which is given
by King Asoka, where not only human below:
beings but animals and birds received
treatment. “ The authors of Ayurvedic texts have given
first place to the herbal medicines. Some of
Discovery of Pushpa Ayurveda the authors like caraka have propogated the
use of prohibited articles like ‘meat’ in the
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name of medicine. But the Jain Physicians and garlands both to the public and the state.
launched on an ideal line of treatment which We come across puspa Lavikas in our
does not harm any living being. This is the ancient works of poetry like Meghasandesa
reason why the author in Puspa Ayurveda and Gadha Saptasati etc.
has written the preparation of Rasayana
medicines with 18000 kinds of flowers. Flowers are matchless ornaments to the
After a keen observation in this treatise of Nature Queen. They are not only a source
Puspa Ayurveda we find the book written in of beauty and delicacy but also Fountain
old karnatak script belonging to the 3rd heads of health and joy. From time
Century B.C. It is a rare and useful immemorial man has been a worshipper of
opportunity for the research scholars of Nature-greatly charmed and inspired to look
history. The readers may well imagine the at the floral beauties at dawn and dusk. The
worth of such a book in which only the uses historicity of flower goes beyond human
of 18000 kinds of flowers are mentioned. conception, because the creator of the
Thus we can proudly say that but for the Universe-Brahma (Puspa Sambhava) has
Jain acaryas none has written on Puspa come out from the womb of flower. Rgveda
Ayurveda”. In view of the above it is is considered to be the oldest scripture of the
evident that Jain Munis stand in the world. In the famous hymn of Mantrapuspa
forefront as the pioneers of Puspa Ayurveda (I) we find the secret of creation revealed by
or Floral therapy. Vedic seers. The symbolic representation is
mystical. It is hinted that the knower of the
In ancient India growing of trees and flower abounds with prosperity and fortune.
gardening was considered to be one of the Glancing through the world literature –
seven virtues or Sapta Santanam. The kings treatises of prose and poetry, we find the
and the rich philonthrophists took interest in blossoming beauties produced by the master
growing shady trees, and flower parks. We artists in the tapestry of cerebral gardens.
find many beautiful description of such And these have served as perennial source
gardens in the writings of foreign pilgrims of nectar to the degenerating humanity.
who visited our country from time to time.
Some of them were so vastly spread as to One more instance on ‘Puspa Ayurveda’
occupy hundreds of miles like Lumbini comes to light from the historical ‘Paintings’
Vanam, and Gardens of Pataliputra. Among based on the facts pertaining to medicinal
them though mostly ruined, a few still advancement in the Buddhist period. In the
remain as relics. They are Shalimar gardens course of his intense travels the Buddha
in Kashmir, Moghal gardens in Delhi, suffered from constipation. King Ajatasatr
Lalbagh in Bangalore etc. was very much upset by this incident. He
did not like general physicians to give any
The collection of flowers and weaving of oral drug because he thought it would leave
garlands was considered to be a fine art. It adverse effect on the delicate constitution of
was entrusted to certain class of people who the royal monk. Hence he summoned for
made it a profession. They supplied flowers
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Jeevaka the renowned Ayurvedic professor
in Takshasila University. These flowers have more of medicinal
properties an dare useful in treating
The Physician put a drop of medicine on a different kinds of diseases. Flowers are
lotus flower and made the sage to smell. He directly eaten as petals or made into
was relieve of the trouble. juice, decoction tincture or mixing them
Such recipes are found in our medical with some other ingredients and then
treatises. administered. The main purpose of the
present article is to acquaint our learned
The Kingdom of flowers is very vast. I readers worth the various processing
general, we can categorise them in four main methods through which the flowers can
classes depending on the nature of the be employed in floral therapy. The
purpose for which they are grown. following are some of the main methods
adopted by the flora physician in this
1. Ornamental flowers.
treatment.
2. Commercial flowers.
3. Medicinal flowers.
1. Darsanam:
4. Kitchen or Vegetable flowers.
The patient is advised to concentrate his
1. Ornamental flowers: mind gazing at a given dazzling flower.
The chrometherapy comes in picture in
These flowers are grown in the gardens,
this treatment. The laws of colour
along the road side borders, or in front of
treatment are applied. Raktamandara
houses to enhance beauty and show e.g.
(Hibiscus Rosa sinensis). These flowers
Deva Kancan (Bauhimia Acuminta),
full of red colour are used for the cure of
Palasa (Bastard teak), Aragwadha
Vataroga joint pains orange Colour.
(Purging cassia) Bougain villa, Punnaga
Aragwada, (cassia fistula) Rose are
(Alexandrea Laurel), Arjuna (Terminalia
useful in constipation. Yellow coloured
Glabra), Rakta Kara Veera (Oleander
marigold and anthemis Nobilis are
red), Devaganneru (Pegoda Tree).
useful for pitta jwaras i.e. Fevers born
2. Commercial flowers: from biliousness and blue coloured
Visnukrana (Evolvulus alsinoides) for
These flowers are used to prepare scents general fevers.
or oils. Some of them are useful to
extract alkaloids for preparation of 2. Sparsha Vidhanam:
medicines. They have good market The patient is advised to wear
value and are a source to earn foreign garments made of flowers, put on
currency. E.g. Rose, Sunflower, Vinca cap, bracelets, necklace etc, made of
rosea, Kasa (a kind of grass) flowers. flowers or lie down on a bed made of
flowers. (Puspa Sayya).
3. Medicinal flowers:

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3. Alepana Vidhanam flower containing toxins of
In this method flowers singly or Tamasic nature induces sleep or
mixed with some other medicated creates nausea.
drugs are grinded into pulp bud
pointed throughout the body or to the 5. Asvadana Vidhanam
particular affected part of the patient.
CONSUMING FLOWERS BY
EATING OR DRINKING IN THE
4. Aghrana Vidhanam or Nasya
FOLLOWING FORMS
Vidhanam (Smelling process Or
Nosal Dropping)
1. PUSPA RASA: Fresh extract
Gandha or odour is the important taken out by crushing the
element in flower. It may be a pleasant flowers.
small or a foul one. This Gandha is 2. PUSPA HIMA: Flower essence
divided into three classes in respect of taken out after soaking in water
their concentration. 1. Mild (Manda) ii. for 12 hours.
Medium (Madhya) iii. Super (Tivra) iv. 3. PUSPA KVATHA: Decoction of
Nirgandha Odourless. fresh or dried flowers.
4. PUSPA ARKA: Distilled extract
The subtle particles of the flower borne of flowers.
by the waves of the wind touch the 5. PUSPA SURA: Tincture of
mucus membrane or nodul in the nosal flowers.
cavity. The sensory nerves carry it to 6. PUSPA ASAVA: Fermented
the brain. This stimulates every cell of flower extracts.
the body. The effect of this stimulation 7. PUSPA AVALEHYA:
depends upon the potency of the scent of Confection of flowers.
the particular flower. This stimulation is 8. PUSPA GUTI: Pills made of
further divided into three kinds in flowers.
respect of the nature of their action. 9. PUSPA KALKA : Grinded pulp
i. Satvik ii. Rajasik iii. of dried flowers
Tamasik 10. PUSPA CURNA: Powder made
of dried flowers.
For example white lilly, lotus, 11. PUSPA TAILA: Oil prepared
Jasmine give mild satvik with the flowers.
soothing effect to the gentlemen. 12. PUSPA GHRTA: Ghee (Purified
Rakta Karavira (Red oleander) butter) boiled with the flowers.
Ketaki (pandanus oderatissimus
etc.) having too Rajasic Seasonal Relevance Of Flowers
molecules of smell, enter the In Charucharya, a treatise of XIth Century
brain cells and disturb the mind. written by Bhoja on health, a chapter is
Similarly Dhatura (Thorn-apple) allotted for flowers. He makes mention of
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several kinds of flowers to be used during (Adhatoda Vasika) and Palasa (Butea
different seasons throughout the year. He Frondosa) to be taken with ghee and honey.
also catagorises them to suit the taste of
different people from various walks of life Susruta, greatest surgeon of ancient India
for example Patalipuspa (Bignomia Stereo directs to prepare Asava or Lehya with the
shermum) cleamses the impurities of water flowers of Prenkhana, Jasmine, Ponna,
and mind. It cures thirst and burning Nagakesara Dhataki Puspa and flowers of
sensation. It brings prosperity and fortune. silk cotton along with certain herbs in the
It eradicates bilious tendency, gives pleasant treatment of pramehas i.e., urinary diseases.
smell and colour and is always highly liked Vagbhata in Astanga Hrdaya Tantra advises
and adored by intelligentia. He prescribes to use the Madiphala Kesari (Pollens) in the
specified flowers for each class of men and treatment of dyspepsia and fever.
women. He is conscious of blossoming and
florescence period of different plants. Jatika In some other context in Atisara Roga
puspa (Jasminum Grandiflorum) should be Chikitsa he recommends Vasti Karma with
worn for a single muhurtam (an hour of the fresh juice of silk cotton flower.
forty eight minutes) whereas Nepali flower
The author of Kshema Kutuhalam gives
(Double jasmine) for eight Muhurtas.
prescription of floral treatment in
Utpala flower (Water lilly for three night
accordance with the aggravation of doshas.
and Ketaki Pushpa pondinus
Jasmine subdues three of the doshas i,e.,
(Odoratissimus) for five nights.
Vata Pitta Sleshma and Mahadaha (deadly
Bhoja in his health manual has also dealt inflammation) Rose having a pleasant smell
with the therapeutic uses of different checks Vata and pitta doshas. Blue coloured
flowers. I shall try to quote one or two of lotus subsides, pitta dosha relaxes tension
the lot. and is beneficial to eye sight. Ketaki
(Pandinus Odoratissimus) removes Kapha
Ketaki Puspa (Pandinus Odoratissimus) Vata as it possesses cleansing property of
subdues Vata increases Slesma and Usna. It Usna Veerya.
gives pleasure to women and aggravates sex
urge(3). He has narrated the medicinal In this way a panel of flowers prescribe for
properties of a number of flowers commonly various ailments from different sources can
found in the parks and gardens during be quoted, but I wish to reserve it for future
different seasons in the year. One more article to be dealt with separately. However
example of jasmine I shall give here. I small try to conclude this article with the
Jasmine has the property of giving heat to words of Bhoja. He extols the benefits of
the body. It eradicates slesma (Phlegm) Floro therapy in the following lines.
endows good vision and whim. It kills lice
“Flowers along with perfumed articles like
in hair and is a flower for constant use(4).
musk and sandal should always be worn.
CARAKACARYA, the greatest physician This removes the foul smell of hair and
has employed flowers of ATARUSA perspiration of body born due to
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tiresomeness and exertion. It improves eye- BHAVATHI CHANDRAMAVA
sight; subdues burning sensation. It APAAM PUSHPAM
increases sex vigour; endows happiness PUSHPAVANPRAJAVAN MAN
prosperity and fame. Flowers enchant the BHAVATHI ... Rgveda.
minds of women folk”.
1a. SAKHARAM GOVINJI RAOJI
KESAKLESA SAMUDBHUTA SWEDA DOSHI, Kalyanakaram of
DURGANDHA NASANAM Ugradityacharya, pp. 38, Author
CHAKSUSYM TAPA SAMANAM publisher, Sholapur (1940).
SOUMANASYA DHARANAT
CHAKSUSYM RATI VARDHANAM 2. Bhoja, Charucharya
SUKHAKARAM SAMPAD 3. Ibid.
YASOVARDHANAM PUSPANAMATI 4. Ibid.
DHRANANNIGADITAM KANTA 5. CARAKA, Raktapitta chapter.
MANORANJANAM KESANAM Sloka 83.
SECANAM KURYAT 6. Sushruta, Prameha, Chapter. Sloka
KASTURIMANULEPAYET 31.
SUGANDHINI SUPUSPANI NITYM 7. Astanga Hridayam, Jawara Chapter,
SIRASI DHARAYET. – CARUCARYA Sloka 126. (Chowkhamba Ayurvedic
Series).
Selected Bibliography 8. KSHEMASHARMA,
Kshemakutuhalam Chapter 5,
1. YO APAM PUSHPAM VEDA Motilal Banarsidas, New Delhi.
PUSHPAVAN (1972).
PRAJAVANPASUMAN

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