Astrology and Ayurvedic Plants

Astrology and Ayurvedic Plants

©Ramesh Waygaonkar and Dr. Radha Raman Das

This is a research paper on astrological factors and the efficacy of Ayurvedic plants based on a study undertaken by the authors who are from Indira Gandhi Academy of Environmental Education, Research and Eco planning, Jiwaji University , Gwalior . - ©Editor astrological magazine February 2202

Introduction

EVER SINCE the birth of human beings on planet earth, man has been completely dependent on natural resources around him for his survival and basic needs. The story of evolution of civilization is the story of acquisition of knowledge regarding these natural resources and their utilisation for human welfare. Since the very beginning, men have used plants for' their basic requirements of food, fodder, fuel, fiber, spices, condiments, oil, timber and medicine. If plants can express themselves, they will have the same opinion for men as man has for the parasite like the flea and germ living on him.

The stars and planets seen in the sky must have bewildered man since the very beginning. The changing pattern of stars and planets in the sky and the happenings on the surface of the earth must have prompted him to correlate the happenings of the sky with the events occurring on the surface of the earth. The relation between lunar cycle and tides was established, perhaps, since beginning of the civilization. The recurring changes resulting in .seasons must have fascinated man and he would have attempted to draw its relation with the combinations of heavenly bodies which is termed as astrological phenomena.

The stars and planets act merely as pointers to the auspicious and inauspicious periods for a particular happening in the life of human beings. For the success, therefore, human effort and auspicious moments are both essential. Man's efforts yield maximum benefits only when they are made at an auspicious period. Man plunges into action with full vigour but often meets with failure during inauspicious moments, but when he acts at the auspicious moment, his achievements are phenomenal. The planets also effect plants and animals. The falling and formation of leaves, flowering and fruiting occur during a particular season. The sunflower capitultim moves with the movement of the Sun, opening and closing its flowers in a diurnal cycle. These are examples of the relation between planetary movements and biological activities

The planets exert their effect on plants and their medicinal properties too. Despite the uses of all pathological and sonographical tests, often it becomes difficult for the medical practitioner to diagnose disease correctly and such patients are used as experimental, tools. Disease diagnosis is infalliable in astrology. Disease diagnosis requires remedial measures for early recovery or eradication of ailment. Shushruta and Charaka have given various good Muhurthas for treatment and administration of medicines in Ayurvedic treatises such a Charaka Samhita. Shushruta Samhita, Nighantu, Rajnighantu etc. It has clearly been mentioned in these treatises mat the medicinal efficacy of plants is best exhibited when they are collected during die period of a particular Nakshatra. Preparation of medicine should also be done during the period of that Nakshatra. The medicine so prepared, if used by the patient on the day of the Nakshatra, will lead to early recovery. It therefore warrants an investigation to find out if there is any change in the chemical composition of the ingredients when plants are collected and processed for medicine in particular Nakshatras.

Ancient Indian scriptures have reference to medicinal plants being used as drugs. Such descriptions are found in all the four Vedas. The earliest reference is found in the Rig-Veda. It has a description of 67 medicinal plants. There is a separate chapter as Oushadha Sookta. Rig-Veda 10:96/1-23 sonnets and Yajurveda sonnets 12/77, 89, 18/12 give a list of 81 medicinal plants, whereas Atharva Veda sonnets 8/7/14 and 11/6/16-17 describes 291 medicinal plants. Ayurveda is a branch of the Atharva Veda. Elaborate descriptions are available in Agni purana, Padma purana, Varaha Purana etc. which are of a later date. Padma Purana Srishti Khanda 28-32, Uttara Khanda 28/13-18 and Srimad Bhagwatam, Chapter X 22/34-35 carry references to the significance of plants. Agni purana gives a clear description of medicinal importance for anatomical and physiological diseases in the human body. Rig-Veda, Chapter VI-22 says "Oh Almighty God. They Grace protects water and drugs that are beneficial to mankind like a best friend." Ayurveda is closely connected with the Rigveda and Atharvaveda. In the ancient Vedic period, various therapies were adopted to combat ailments and various practices have been evolved as an aid to Ayurveda. Many formulae have been prescribed in Ayurveda, though the most frequently and popularly used formulations are thousands in number. The basic classification of plants with reference to stars and planets has been described in Narada Purana, Narada Samhita, Sharda Tilak, Vidyarnava Tantra, Trishkandha Purana and Brihat Sushruta. But nowhere has, a detailed study of chemical ingredients of plants been given for such classification.

An English astronomer, herbalist, doctor and astrologer, Nicholas Culpepper, in the 17th century, correlated stars, planets and herbs according to ruler ship e.g., chamomile having volatile oil, yellow in colour containing anthemic acid, tannic acid and glucosides as governed by the Moon. It is used for diseases caused by the Moon as an antispasmodic in treating cough and cold tod is tonic. Mars rules Capsicum annum (cayenne pepper) whose chief chemical is cayennin and is associated with heat like fever and swelling.

Medication for the cure of diseases is based on the chemicals derived from chemicals directly or the synthesis of the chemicals in laboratory. Thus, classification is based on either the plant or chemical derived from the herbs e.g. the Sun governs the helianthus annus (sunflower) plant. Whose main chemical are ergosterol and calciferol which are also, therefore, governed by the Sun and either directly from the sunflower plant or produced through chemical synthesis. Jupiter mainly governs the chemical pyridoxine which is predominantly found in musa sapientum (plantain). This plant is also governed by Jupiter.

Methodology

The present work has been undertaken with a view to study in depth the characteristics of plants said to be associated with planets and Nakshatras. The work entails scientific analysis of the claims made in oriental treatises and by doctors (Vaidyas) and astrologers thus providing a scientific basis to the knowledge embodied m oriental treatises. This medicinal system throughout the world uses certain herbs predominantly for the cure of human diseases. The treatises of Ayurveda contain much information about tat curative properties of various plants when collected at a particular time. Present paper deals with scientific evaluation of efficacy of plants when collected underthe constalation to which the plants have been attributed.

Plants coming under various Nakshatras growing in die Upper Gangetic Plain have been identified and were collected during the relevant Nakshatras. These plants were also analysed for their active principle contents, the analysts being done as per standard method of analysis

Chemical and physiological changes in plants: Star day vis a vis general Day.

The physio-chemical characteristics of nine commonly used plants in Ayurveda and assigned to the nine planets Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu with their respective Nakshatras were collected and classified into General Day and Nakshatra Day sample. These were dried and pulverised to powder to study their various physio-chemical properties of active chemicals and their values.

1. Moisture Contents: By infrared moisture balance.

2. Solubility: Soluble in water or alcohol.

3. pH of Solution : pH was measured on Elico Digital pH meter.

4. Ash Contents: The pulverised powder was dried and burnt. The weight of ash was taken and percentage calculated. The ash was dissolved in hydrochloric acid and heated for further dissolution. It was filtered by filter paper. The weight of insoluble was taken and percentage was calculated. This was tested for alkaloids, flavinoids, quinones, and steriods as specific chemicals.

Observations from Ancient Texts

Plants and Planets

The affinity of a plant by a governing planet is analysed on the basis of duration and period of flowering and fruiting of a plant and period of the star. The plant of the star used to cure the diseases and those diseases governed by a planet or combination of planets are noted. Plants are used as remedies for diseases. The rulership of planet over plants can be shown by some illustrations. The fruits of juglanas regia (walnut) appear as circumvolutions of the brain.

Astrologically, Mercury governs the brain and its activity is governed by the Sun. Both these planets govern the walnut The two lobes of the' seeds of coffea arabica (coffee) are apparently identical to the two cerebral lobes of the brain which are governed by Neptune . The seeds of dolichus labab (kidney bean) and anthyllis vulneraria (kidney vetch) resemble the kidneys. Venus governs kidneys and these plants are also governed by Venus. Sabal serrlata governs the diseases of kidney, prostate and ovaries which are again ruled by Venus. The Sun governs cardiospermum viola which is used for relief m cardiac troubles. The Moon governs lunuraria annua (moonwort) and pennisetvm sagina (pearl). Mercury governs mercurialis anuua (Mercury weed). Tylophora asthmatica is governed by by Moon and acts as a medicine for the cure of asthma which is also governed by the Moon. Jupiter governs liver and Jupiter governs marchantia potymorpha (liverwort) is used as a medicine for the cure of liver attaints. Saturn governs gout and also aeogopodbm padagraric (goutwort), a medicine for gout Mercury governs memory and bacopa moniera (Brahmi) governed by Mercury acts as a medicine for memory. This clearly indicates that the plants, which are governed by a particular planet, have the property to cure the diseases caused by the respective planet Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) and Ocimum album chiefly govern skin diseases,, worms, leprosy and chronic disorders. Mercury and Venus govern all these diseases as well as both the plants at the time of flowering. Strobilathus kuchenchinevsis flowers after 18 years and astrologically, the 18-year period is assigned to Rahu.

Planets, Herbs and Stones

Another type of analogy between planets and herbs is that some parts of herbs used as a substitute for a particular gem are assigned to a planet as has been shown in Table I.

To reduce the ill-effects of planets, meditation, contemplation, havan and precious stones were often resorted to, but precious stones being costly, were, at times, not within the reach of the common man. Therefore, roots of the plants have been used as a substitute for precious stones as shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Plants, Planets and Gems

SI. Na	Botanical name of plant	Vernacular Name	Planet	Stone or Gem
1	Aegle marmelos	Bael	Sun	Ruby
2	Mimusops hexandra	Khimi	Moon	Pearl
3	Hemidesmus indicus	Indian sarsaparilla	Mars	Coral
4	Opuntia dillenii	Nagfani	Mars	Coral
5	Clerodendron serratum	Bharangi	Jupiter	Topaz
6	Curcuma longa	Haldi	Jupiter	Yellow sappier
7	Musa saplmtum	Keta	Jupiter	Yellow agate
8	Tephrosia purpuma	Purple	Venus	Diamond
9	Punfca granatum	Anar	Venus	Diamond
to	Rubia cordifolia	Indian maddar	Venus	Diamond
11	Ricinus commnuis	Eranda	Venus	Zircon
12	Rumex vesicarkis	Sorrel	Venus	Zircon
13	Lettsomia nervosa	Argyreta	Mercury	Emerald
14	Pterocarpus santalanus	Latchandan	Saturn	Blue sapphire
15	Santalum album	Chandan	Rahu	Gomed
16	Rauwolphia seipentina	Sarpagandha	Rahu	Alexandria
17	Withania somnifera	Ashwagandha	Keta	Cats eye

Indeed, havan is a scientific method to cure disease though inhalation of the vapour and smoke emanating through the havan. Plants were classified into 9 groups to match the 9 planets for offering into the havan as samidha. Table 2 shows the classification as given in Garuda Purana.

Table 2

Samidha for Planets

Planet	Vernacular Name	Latin Name
sun	ArK (Niaoar)	Calotropis procera
Moon	Palash (Dhak)	Butea monosperma
Mars	Khadir (Khair)	Acacia catechu
Mercury	Apamarg (LaQira)	Achyranthus aspera
Jupiter	Pipal	Ficus religiosa
Venus	Audumbar (gular)	Ficus glomerata
Saturn	Shami	Prosopis cineraria
Rahu	Durva	Cynadon dactylon
Ketu	Kusha	Desmostachya biptnoata

Observations

In Ayurvedic treatises each Nakshatra period has been assigned certain plants. These Nakshatras are said to be responsible for certain diseases. Some of the common plants growing in the Upper Gangetic Plain, assigned to various Nakshatras, are listed in Table 3 with details of their vernacular name, botanical name, and family, the part of the plant used as medicine, active chemicals and therapeutic use.

According to Ayurvedic literature, the curative properties of plants differ from Nakshatra to Nakshatra, their collection in a particular period and the processing of drugs as affected by the Nakshatra. The Nakshatra-wise list of plants growing in the Upper Gangetic Plain has been drawn and their active principles identified. Nine plants each assigned to a planet and a Nakshatra have been selected for the study. The active principles of these plants were identified. They were collected during the Nakshatra to which they are assigned and also on a general day. The analysis with respect to moisture content, solubility, pH of solution, total ash contents and acid ash test has been carried out. The results are given in Table 4. Table 4 indicates that ash content and acid ash test indicative of curative characteristics are quantitatively higher in samples collected during the Nakshatra to which the plant is assigned, as compared to the same estimated for the sample of the plant collected on a general day without reference to the Nakshatra.

Table 3 Nakshatras, Plants and Diseases Ruled by Nakshatras Proof not corrected

ID	Nakshatra	Name	Family	Botanical Name	Part Name	Active Chemical	Therapeutic Use
1	Aswini	Kutaki	Scrophularieceae	Picronhizea kurroa	Root	Picrorrtizin, cathartic acid, glucose, wax	Meningitis high fever
2	Aswini	Rakhiphool	Passsfioraceae	Passiflora quadrangulans	Leaves	Passiflorine	Spasm
3	Aswini	Coffee	Rubiaceae	Coffea arabica	Seeds, leaves	Caffeine	Migraine, meningitis
4	Bharani	Eranda (oil)	Euphorbiaceae	Ricinus communis	Root, leaves, seed oil	Ricin, oilate, palmtin-synin	Liver disorder
5	Bharani	Dhataki	Lytheraceae	Woodfordia fruticosa	Flower	Tanin	Vaginal discharge
6	Bharani	Gwarpatha	Berberidaceae	Aloe vera	Flower and leaves	Barbaric acid	Pulmonary catarrh
7	Bharani	Isabgole	Plantaginaceae	Plantago major	Full plant	Mucilage	Mucus reins
8	Krutika	Harsingar	Oleaceae	Nyctanthus arbortristis	Leaves, bark	Nyctan-thine	Malaria
9	Krutika	Chawal	Poacaae	Oryza sativa	Seeds, leaves	Fats, vitamins	Piles, indigestion
10	Mrigasira	Shunti	Scitaminaceae	Zingiber offtinale	Stem	Malic acid, alkali	Indigestion, flatulence
11	Mrigasira	Pyaj	Liliaceae	Allium cepa	Bulb, leaves	Cholesterol	Pains, sciatica, fever, skin disease
12	Mrigasira	Kuchla	Loganiceae	Strychnos nuxvomica	Seed, fruit	Alkaloid strychina, brucia	Itching, haemoptyasis
13	Aridra	Pipata (bark)	Urticaceae	Flcus mligiosa	Bark, fruit, leaf	Tannicadd, rubber wax	Bronchial asthma, bronchitis
14	Aridra	Tambakoo	Solanaceae	Nicotiana tabacum	Leaves	Nicotine, nicotinamide	Eosinophila, Giddiness, injury
15	Punarvasu	Hingu	Umbelliferae	Ferula foetida	Latex	Alkyl per sulphide asaresinotannot, mafic, formic, valoriamic, actitic and ferullic acid	Indigestion, gastritis
16	Punarvasu	Kalmegha	Acenthaceae	Andrographis paniculata	Root, stem, fruit, leaves	Kalmeghin chlorohyil Nad, K-Salt	Liver disorder
17	Punarvasu	Arka	Asclipiadeceae	Calatropis procera	Flower, roots, leaves	Malic acid, potash	Dropsy, worms
18	Pushya	Babool	Fabaceae	Aicacia arebica	Fruit, bark leaf, stem, gum	Taminic acid, Arabic acid Ca, Mg, K. Gum	Dental disorders, pyorrhoea
19	Pushya	Kutaja	Apocynaceae	Holarrhena anlidysentehca	Seed, bark	Kurchichicine, kuchine	Diarrohoea, dysentry
20	Pushya	Vijaysar	Fabaceae	Ptemcaipus santotinus	Bark	Kinotanic acid, Pyrocatichin, Galic acid	Diabetes
21	Pushya	Hadjod	Vitiaceae	Vitis quadrangularis	Stem, leaves	Resins	Diarrhoea some junction
22	Aslesha	Sonpha	Umbelliferae	Foeniculum vugare	Seeds, fruits	Anethote	Diarrhoea, dysentery, indigestion
23	Aslesha	Tulsi	Labiate	Ocimum sanctum	Leaf, root seed	Yellow green oil basi, camphor	Cough
24	Aslesha	Kassni	Asteraceae	Cichorium endivia	Root	Aconite Mg, Alumina	Dyspepsia
25	Makha	Shirisha	Fabaceae	Albizzia lebbeck	Bark, seed, leaf, flower	Saponin	Bronchial asthma
26	Makha	Raasna	Orchidaceae	Vanda roxburgxii	Seed	Glucosides	Arthritis, gout
27	Jyeshta/ Aslesha	Vidhara	Conolvulaceae	Lettsoinia nervosa	leaves	Kamferien	Cuteneous affections
28	Poorvaphakjuni	Pudina	Labiate	Mentha virktis	Leaf, stem	Piperment thymol	Vomiting
29	Poorvaphakjuni	Satawari	Liliaceae	Asparagus officinalis	Stem	Starch	General tonic
30	Poorvaphalguni	Seb	Rosaceae	Pyrus ma/us	Fruit	Ferric contents	Aneurysm, cardiac problems
31	Uttaraphalguni	Bel/ bilva	Rutaceaa	Aegle Marmelos	Root, bark, leaf, fruit	Mucilage, pectin, tanin, marmetosione	Diarrhoea, dysentery, heart disease
32	Uttaraphalguni	Neema	Meliacae	Azadirachta Indica	Flower, seed, leaves, bark	Margosine, volatile oil, margosa oil, afkali, K. Fe. AICO,	Piles, scabies bowels
33	Hasta	Palasha	Fabaceae	Butea monosperma	Bark, flower, seed, leaf	Kitonamic acid, galic acid, moodooga oil or kino oil	Worm infestation
34	Hasta	Dhaniya	Umbelliferae	Coriandrium sativum	Seed, root, flower stem	Malic add coriander oil coriandrol, geranial babini oil	Fever, typhoid
35	Hasta	Loonuk	Portulaceae	Portulaca oleracea	Fruit, leaves	Olicadd	Fever, anxiety
36	Chitta	Vidanga	Myrsinaceae	Emblia ribes	Fruit	Embelic add, volatile oil, rot, christembine alkali, tannic acid	Worm infestation
37	Chitta	Ashoka	Fabaceae	Saraca indica	Bark, seed, flower	Haematoxylin tanin, cataohini	vaginal discharge
38	Chitta	Ashwagandha	Solanaceae	Withania somnifera	Root ■	Somniferin alkali	Anxiety neurosis, mild hypertension
39	Chitta	Kapikachhu	Fabaceae	Mucuna prunius	Seed, root	Rol, lamun, Mn	Neurosis worms
'40	Chitta	Beltari	Cucurbitaceae	Bryonia alba	Leaves, fruit	Requinane crossferic acid	Fever
41	Swati	Kanta karanja	Fabaceae	Caesalpinia bonducella	Seed, fruit, root	Protein, starch nalina, banducin	Malaria, eczema
42	Vishaka	Bharangi	Verbenaceae	Cterodendron senatum	Root	Starch, Rol, fat alkali	Bronchial asthma
43	Vishaka	Haridra	Scitaminaceae	Curcuma longa	Stem	Curvumin turmeric oil, rol, alkali, vermonine	Uraemina, diabetes, asthma, wounds
44	Anuradha	Parasika yavani	Solanaceae	Hyoscyamus niger	Leaf, seed	Hyoscyamine hyosdne	Pain in abdomen, cough, diarrhoea
45	Anuradha	Afim	Papevaraceae	Papavar somnifervm	Latex, seed	Sedatives	Narcotic effects
46	Jyeshta	Aanvla	Euphorbiaceae	Emblica offidnalis	Fruit	Galic add, tank; add, albmin cellulose vit. C.	Peptic ulcer, uterine ulcer, syndrome
47	Jyeshta	Haritiki	Combretaceae	Terminalia chebula	Fruit	Tanic, galic acid, chelrilinic add	Constipation, piles, bowels, fistula
48	Jyeshta	Lodra	Symplonaceae	Symplocus recemosa	Root, leaves, fruit, leaves, bud	Salidficadd, potassium, calcium	vaginal discharge leucorrhoea
49	Moola	Bhringaraja	Asteraceae	Eclipta alba	Leaves	Eciptine	Peptic ulcer, syndrome
50	Poorvashada	Baragad	Urticaceae	ficus bangalensia	Bark, leaves, fruit, stem	Tanin, rubber	Diabetes
51	Uttarashadha	Bakuchi	Fabaceae	Psoralia corylifolia	Seed oil, seeds	Rol, alkali, vermonine albimin	Leucoderma •
52	Rohini	Kantakari	Solanacae	Solanum xanthocerpum	Leaf, flower, fruit seed, bark, stem	Solamine, Kd, K. No3 Fe Solamcarpine	Cough, bronchial asthma
53	Sravana	Punamava	Nyctaginaceae	Boerhaavia drffusa	Root seed, leave, flower, fruit, stem	Punamavine, alkali, K. no3 fat . So4, CaNo3	Oedema
54	Sravana	Apamarag	Amaranthaceae	Acbyranthes aspera	Root, seed, leaf, stem, fnit, flow&r	Alkali, potash	Leprosy
55	Sravana	Bishloomba	Cucurbitaceae	Citrullus cotosynthis	Root, leaves	Colosynthin, ferulic acid	Goul, rheumatism
56	Sravana	Adusa	Acanthaceae	Adhatoda vasica	Root, leaf, flower	Oil fat, fol, vasidne, aadhatodic acid, gum	Cough
57	Dhanishta	Lahasuna	Liliaceae	Allium sativum	Stem, oil	Allumin, volatile OH, sulphur comp.	Indigestion, heart tonic
58	Poorvabhadra	Sankhapushpi	Convolvulaceae	Evotwkis alsenoides	Root stem, fruit, flower	Alsenoiden, crepic acid branhim	Anxiety, neurosis, mild hypertension
59	Uttasabhadra	Gokharu	Zygophyllacae	Tribulus tenesths	Fruit, root, stem, leaf, flower	Berberine strach	Urinary tract, oleos, infection, fever
60	Utarabnadra	Guggulu	Burseraceae	Commiphom mukul	Latex	Gumerol	Arthritis
61	Uttarabhadra	Karpoor	Lauraceae	Cinnamomum camphora	Latex, root	Volatile oil	Sprain, anodyne, adynaemia
62	Revathi	Baheda	Comberetaceae	Terminalia be/erica	Bark	CaCo, Ca. salt, tannin, Al. Mg.	Heart tonic, elixir
63	Revathi	Guductii	Menispimacae	Tinospora cardifolia	Stem	Berberine	Fever
64	Revathi	Chirboii	Solanaceae	Physalis indica	Leaves, bark	Alkaloids	Gout
65	Revathi	Badi Sounf	Apiaceae	Pimpinella anethum	Roots, fruits	Thymol, anethol	Flatulence, abdominal disorders

Table 4

Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Plants Assigned to Planets and Nakshatras

Planet	Nakshatra	Botanical Name	vernacular Name	Moist Cont	Solubility	pHSol %	Ash total %	Acid Ash Test%	Quantitative ve comp.	Chemical
Sun	Uttamphalguni	Aegle marmetos	Bihwa	6-25	18-48	7-0	13-57	4.25	Quinons	Pectin margalocin
	General Day	Aegb marmetos	Bihwa	6-60	18-50	7-3	7.57	1.43	Quinons	Pectin margalocin
Moon	Rohini	Acorns calamus	vacha	9-82	10-78	5.6	10-61	4-39	Quinons alkaloids	Acorin starch, calcium oxalate
	General Day	Acoms calamus	Vacha	10-03	18-28	5-71	5-01	0.47	Quinons alkaloids	Acorin starch, calcium oxalate
Mara	Chitta	Ptstada intsgerrima	Karkatashrungi	4-08	31-7	4-80	5.45	0-865	Flavanoids, alkaloids	Corticosteroids
	General Day	Ptstada intsgerrima	Karkatashrungi	4.40	30.8	5.80	4.49	0.865	Flavanoids, alkaloids	Corticosteroids
Mercury	Jyeshta	Baccopa monerria	Bramhi	8-80	21.63	6.40	16-90	14-73	alkaloids	Branhim alkali
	General Day	Baccopa monerria	Bramhi	7-90	16-49	6.45	13-78	9.49	alkaloids	Branhim alkali
Jupiter	Poorvattadra	S*rfve//us efeemmfes	Shankhapushpi	740	19-21	6-70	2741	254)4	Quinons alkaloids	Gelsin glucosides
	General Day	Evolwlus alsenokfos	Shankhapuihpi	6-4	10-78	6-71	2742	21-71	Quinons alkaloids	Gelsin glucosides
Venus	Bharani	Ocimum sanctum	Tulsi	7.80%	15-48	5-25	6-74	2-79	Alkaloids flavanoids	Metatile oils, malarin
	General Day	Ocimum sanctum	Tulsi	8-20	15-10	6.40	5-28	1.59	Alkaloids flavanoids	Metatile oils, malarin
Saturn	Anuradha	Tinospora cordifolia	Guduchi	10-02	16-71	6.40	6.48	0.601	Alkaloid steroids	Glionin, gliosterol, glucoside
	General Day	Tinospora cordifolia	Guduchi	8.47	11.80	7-21	5-51	0-331	Alkaloid steroids	Glionin, gliosterol, glucoside
Rahu	Shatatarka, shatabhisha	Plumbago zylanicum	Chitramul	5-2	7.80	5-85	3-78	1-09	Flavanoids alkaloid	Plumbagin
	General Day	Plumbago zylanicum	Chitramul	8-04	10.61	6..61	3-33	0-99	Flavanoids alkaloid	Plumbagin
Ketu	Makha	Nardostychis jatamasi	Jatamasi	4-51	9-27	5-27	15-12	13-21	Alkaloid Flavanoids	Esters alcohol
	General Day	Nardostychis jatamasi i	Jatamasi	8-01	12-12	5.61	14-52	10.38	Alkaloid Flavanoids	Esters alcohol

It has been observed in many patients that the same drug administered at different times manifests differently and exhibits variations in its curative properties. In this case also, it has been observed that the maximum efficacy is achieved when the drug is administered during the period of the Nakshatra to which that herb is assigned. These facts clearly indicate that the postulates laid down in astrological, Ayurvedic and ancient treatises have great bearing both on the commencing of the disease and its treatment by specific herbs or the chemicals contained in those herbs assigned to a planet and / or Nakshatra. The science of astrology perceives a holistic approach based on the twelve houses and the placement of the 9 planets in them, their ' relationship and aspects. All these together : constitute a complicated system in which perception and prediction of the overall effect becomes extremely difficult. Coming to conclusions without in depth and analytical study of the horoscope can make a mockery of medical astrology and astrological predictions. But a careful analysis and scientific holistic approach towards the reading of a horoscope can easily translate into a scientific and statistically analyzable reality. The use of medical astrological principles can be quite helpful in correct diagnosis of certain problematic diseases and their cure by carefully selecting appropriate herbs or chemicals contained in them.

Conclusion

Ancient Indian society utilised all the axioms of knowledge gathered till then for all activities of life. The cure of disease has also not remained in isolation from this belief of the society. Thus a very intimate and practical relation was drawn between astrological principles and the herbs attributed to a particular Nakshatra and / or planet for the, cure of disease caused due to the effect of those Nakshatras and planets. This worked very well in the cure as well as abatement of diseases. The “scientific revolution” has smothered astrological knowledge and pushed it back branding it mystical knowledge. This has led to the neglect of astrology in the treatment of disease

The present research, therefore, has been undertaken to reestablish the relationship between the astrological diagnosis of a disease and its cure through herbs of me active chemicals obtained from herbs mat can cure the disease. The analysis and the results obtained clearly prove astrology is a valid science.

Thus, there is a great need to reform the disease management, strategy through the use of astrological principles and herbs associated with specific Nakshatra planets to achieve the required goal of heath and happiness in society.

This article / paper published in 2002 February astrological magazine.