Ayurvedic pharmacological texts - nihantu - describe the properties of medicinal plants and products that were known in India at the time of writing these books. But how can one determine the Ayurvedic properties of plants used in Western herbal medicine? How can we define ayurvedic properties of products used in European cuisine that became widespread later and are not described in classical texts?

Various methods are used to understand a plant by Ayurveda Scholars.

One important way to infer Drug use is adopting a Similarity theory of Plant parts with body constituents.

Whatever the things existing in the universe is represented in each and everybody in its minute form as told by Charakacharya (Purushoyam Lokasamhitam).

Utilizing this concept will help to identify certain factors responsible in plants for a particular activity and is termed as Lokapurusha samanya vada (Doctrine of Signature) in this section illustrating this concept with suitable examples and it may help to start a new pathway for new drug Discoveries.

Expert: Dr. Ajayan Sadanandan

• Ph.D. in Dravya guna from NIA Jaipur, Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurveda University, Jodhpur on 2012;
• M.D, Ayurveda in Dravya guna, S.D.M Ayurveda College Udupi, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Karnataka on 2004;
• B.A.M.S, S.D.M Ayurveda College Udupi, Mangalore University in 2000;
• D-Phm (Diploma in Pharmacy), John Enoch College of Pharmacy, Directorate of Medical Education Government of Kerala 1995;
• Born and brought up in Agastya Marma Shastra practicing family. Grandfather Brahmashree: o. Keshavan Nadar Swami was first head of Marma department, Trivandrum Ayurveda college;
• Taught and Trained Agastya Marma under the guidance of late Vaydya Shri. Raghavan Nadar and late Vaydya Sri, Karunakaran Nadar;
• Presently working as Professor in the department of Dravya gunavignana Ashtangam Ayurveda College, Vavannur, Kerala;
• Ethno medico botanical informer and researcher, conducting Ethno Environment conservation, awareness programs & activities;
• Member CCRAS for documentation of Agastya Marma Shastra;
• Former member Board of studies for AYURVEDA, Mgr medical university Gindy, Chennai;
• Traditional Agastya Marma practitioner.