In the Vedas reference has been made to several medicinal plants and their uses. This information can be
found scattered in different places. Also, one will have to do some amount of research to decipher what
exactly is the meaning, just like about everything else, in the Vedas.
Here are some examples.
19.28.1 For sharpness and long life, for controlling and subduing all enemies I am appointing this Dharbha,
says Brahma Rishi, perhaps indirectly referring to the great power hidden in the grass Dharbha. Rishi
Bhrigu gives very elaborate description of the powers of the Dharbha. Hey Dharbha! you stand firmly on
the earth, you are perfected by the sun. I increase my life span with your help (19.32.3) referring to God
as Dharbha and indirectly referring to the plant as well.
19.31.10 May the Audumbara and the food giving science bring near me increased milk, pulses and wealth
says Rishi Savita in 19.31.10 possibly referring to the special properties of the tree Audumbara as also to
God whom he calls also as Audumbara. Suktas 34 and 35 by Rishi Angira describe the vanaspathi Jangida
as a cure for hundreds of diseases such vata, fever, cough, weaknesses of voice, hearing, eyesight as well
as for mental weaknesses. It is effective for problems of the two legged as also of the four-legged ones.
Sukta 36 by Rishi Brahma refers to Shatavari as follows:
19.36.1 He, with his sharpnes, destroys notoriouly bad ones such as piles, tuberculosis and germs.
19.36.2 With his top he destroys bacteria, with his roots he pushes away the troublesome pains, with his
center his shoves the king of diseases and none can stop him.
19. 36.6 With the help of Shatavari I clear up hundreds of notorious pains, hundreds of land-based
diseases and diseases that travel in air as also the ones that spread rapidly, says Veda.
19.38.1 He will never suffer from the king of diseases as also the effect of curses if he is protected by the
good aroma of gulgulu says Rishi Atharva.
19.39.1, 19.39.8 Rishi Brigwangira says: coming from icy places, hey Kushta! you have divine qualities. You
destroy all fevers and pains.
19.39.3, 19.39.4 Hey Kushta! born in the rivers you cure the diseases of men. You can be compared to
divine somaras. You are the universal medicine.
3.6.2 Hey Ashwatha! being a friend of sun, air and water totally destroy the diseases which cause various
obstacles. (Jagadveejampurusha)
4.17.1 For overcoming fear we take refuge in you. God has made you (Apaamarg) with thousands of
abilities. (Shukra)
6.106.1 -6.106.3 Hey Pippali! you are the cure for disturbed ones, bleeding ones, and ones with vaata
problems; learned ones have said that you can make them live well (Atharva)
7.136.1-2 Strengthen the old hair, produce those not yet grown, and make those produced very long Hey
Nitatni! (Veetahavya)
At other places glory of many more plants such as Durva has also been described.
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