Ayurveda: Classical Literature, Major Branches, and the Role of Medicinal Plants: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/irjay.2026.9.06.02Keywords:
Ayurveda, Classical Ayurvedic Literature, Medicinal Plants, Herbal Therapeutics, Quality Control of Ayurvedic MedicinesAbstract
Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest traditional healthcare systems and continues to play a significant role in preventive and therapeutic medicine. This review synthesizes information from classical Ayurvedic literature, including the Brihat Trayi and Laghu Trayi, together with contemporary scientific publications, to examine the historical development of Ayurveda, the conceptual framework of Ashtanga Ayurveda, and the therapeutic importance of medicinal plants. The review highlights the distinct contributions of major classical texts and discusses their relevance in preserving medical knowledge related to diagnosis, treatment, surgery, pharmacology, and disease prevention. Particular attention is given to medicinal plants widely utilized in Ayurvedic practice and the extent to which traditional claims are supported by modern pharmacological and clinical evidence. The review further evaluates current issues related to botanical authentication, standardization, quality assurance, regulatory requirements, and safety assessment of Ayurvedic medicinal products. Published evidence indicates that quality control and scientific validation remain essential for ensuring the efficacy and safety of herbal formulations. The review also identifies challenges associated with contamination, adulteration, variability of raw materials, and herb-drug interactions. Overall, the integration of classical Ayurvedic knowledge with contemporary scientific research may contribute to evidence-based utilization of medicinal plants and strengthen the future development of Ayurvedic healthcare systems.
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