Doctrine Of Signatures

BY

DR. DEEPTHI. PATIL 1ST YEAR P.G SCHOLOR DEPT OF DRAVYA GUNA KLE’S SHRI B.M.K AYURVEDA MAHAVIDYALAYA SHAHAPUR, BELGAUM-03

INTRODUCTION In simple terms, the "Doctrine of Signatures" is the idea that God has marked everything. He created with a sign (signature). The sign was an indication of the purpose for the creation of the item. . The "Doctrine of Signatures" was written by Jakob Böhme (1575-1624), a master shoemaker in the small town of Görlitz, at Germany. The Doctrine states that, by observation, one can determine from the colour of the flowers or roots, the shape of the leaves, the place of growing, or other signatures, what the plant's purpose was in God's plan.

In India, this concept has been in existence right from Vedic period. The following quotation will highlights this fact “Sarvameva sachhasachha adhikruta bhootavyapara:, thastham sankalitha buddhi aatmendriyani II” (Rasanirvanam- Atharvaveda) Later as Ayurveda developed, this concept was carried forward. Acharya Charaka, who is an authority on Ayurveda in this text mentions Lokasamya purusha vada and Bhoota grama Vyapadesha Siddanta: “Yavantto moorthimantha bhava vishesha: thavantta eva srothamsi II” (Charaka samhita, vimana stana 5/1)

Examples showing similarities between structure of a plant and its application as a medicine

Mormodica charantia Sanskrit. : Karavellaka. Kannada: Hagalakayi English: Bitter gourd Uses: Found to be effective in lowering the blood glucose level in Diabetes mellitus.

Albezia lebbeck •Sanskrit: Shirisha •Kannada: Bage mara •English: Bage mara, Hombage •Uses: It has a very good efficacy in treatment of respiratory disorders

Nyctanthes arbortistis •Sanskrit: Parijata •Kannada: Parijata •English:Night Jasmine or Coral Jasmine. •Uses: Parijata patra kashaya is used in Back pain.

Cissus quadrangularis •Sanskrit:Astishrunkala •Kannada: Mogaroli •English: Edible stemmed •Uses:The oil which is prepared out of this drug is used very effectively in cases of fractures.

Bombex ciba •Sanskrit: Shalmali kantaka •Kannada:Boragada mara •E.Name:Silk cotton tree •Uses: having very good efficacy in the treatment of Acne vulgaris.

Ficus relegiousa •Sanskrit: Ashwatha •Kannada: Arale Mara •English: Sacred fig •Uses: Used in various Ayurvedic formulations to combat gynecological disorders

Vetiveria zizanoides •Sanskrit: Ushira •Kannada:Lavancha •English: Khaskhas grass •Uses: One of the best drug used in urinary disorders.

Phaseolus vulgaris •Sanskrit: Nishpava •Kannada: Hurulikayi •English: kidney beans •Uses: Helps to maintain kidney function

Ficus glomerata •Sanskrit: Udumbara •Kannada: Attimara •English: Country fig •Uses: Increase the motility of sperm and increase the numbers of sperms as well to overcome male sterility.

Daucus carota •Sanskrit: Garjara •Kannada: Gajjari •English: Carrot •Uses: As it contains vit A, very good for eyes.

Solanum malongena E.Name: Egg plant, Avocadoes. •Uses: These fruits target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female – they look just like these organs. One avocado a week, balances hormones,and prevents cervical cancers.  

Allium ciepa •Sanskrit: Palandu •English: Onion •Kannada: Erulli •Uses:Look like body cell. Today's research shows that onion clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

Allium sativum •Sanskrit: Lashuna •English: Garlic •Kannada:Belluli •Uses: It acts as a good appetizer and having a very good analgesic effect in stomach pain.

Tomato • A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four Chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Orange and Other citrus fruits •Oranges, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Walnut • A Walnut looks like a little brain, even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex, walnuts helps to develop over 3 dozen neurontransmitters for brain function.

Centella asiatica • Sanskrit: Mandooka parni • Kannada:Ondelaga • Uses: This plant is effective brain tonic, good memory booster,

Phyllanthus niruri •Sanskrit: Bhoomyamalaki •Kannada:Nelanelli •English: •Uses: Plant is used in various Ayurvedic formulations to combat Jaundice.