Dravya Guna

Introduction of P.G. department of Dravyaguna

Ayurveda, the science of life had emerged through adaptations of man with natural touch of healthy living. Medicine, the most vital aspect of life with its immense value for happiness and survival, is inevitably shrouded in mystery as to its beginning, as much as life itself. In Charaka Samhita, we find it expounded that there never was a time when Ayurveda did not exist, even when it was the case with life. From the very beginning medicine has taken the responsibility of protecting the man from various ravages and enabled him to adjust to his environment properly. The natural flora was the main tool in his hands. Later, Dravya has been considered as an essential one among the four factors required for the treatment. “Chikitsa Chatuspada” (Ch. Su. 9/3). The efficacy of the treatment directly depends upon the drug administered. Therefore, it is highly essential to identify, collect, preserve, medicate and administer the drug in a proper and scientific way (Ch. Vi. 8/87). Charaka has stressed that the plants should be known not only by their names but also their identification and knowledge of their properties is essential and this may even be gained from cowherds, shepherds and other jungle tribals or foresters etc. (Ch. Su. 1/121). This thirst for knowledge is still going on during the present era of high advancement in science and technology. Thus the department of Dravyaguna is of utmost importance.

            The P.G. Department of Dravyaguna is one of the fourteen Departments of institution. It is imparting the theoretical and practical training to the undergraduate as well as guidance, teaching and training to the P.G. Scholars. Clinical services are also being provided by the Department at OPD levels.

Aims and Objectives

The object of Dravyaguna is to provide a scientific foundation for therapeutics and to increase the resources of the art of healing. The exact way in which a drug changes the diseased condition can often be followed only imperfectly in man and hence, recourse has to be made to experiments on healthy or diseased animals to elucidate the principles on which it should be employed. Knowledge of the mode of action of a drug obviously greatly enhances prediction from animal studies of what will happen in man.

            Charaka in Sutra 1/122 says that the last physician is one who knows the drugs pharmacognostically, pharmacologically and in every other respect. The drug, whose name, forms and properties are not properly known or the drug, which though known is not properly administered will cause disaster (Ch. Su. 1/125). Hence full knowledge of the drugs is essential. Experimental studies and the clinical studies are the two aspects of the drug research. Moreover, there is a need to explain the drug activity in terms of current modern medical concepts so that the Ayurvedic means and methods are acceptable globally. Further it also ensures scientific validation of Ayurvedic concepts and drugs.

Keeping in above views of importance of drug research the main aims and objectives are :

• To promote the growth and development of Dravyaguna and hence Ayurveda.
• To produce post graduates specialists in Dravyaguna which enrich the field of Ayurveda on scientific parameters.
• To impart the complete knowledge of medicinal plants regarding their proper identification, cultivation and collection and research.
• To study the diversity of medicinal flora of Himachal Pradesh.

To integrate the pharamacological studies with those of toxicological studies to build up a picture of the undesired as well as the desired drug effect

STAFF POSITION

1) TEACHING FACULTY

Prof. & H.O.D.                     Dr. Ashwani Upadhyaya          M.D.( Dravyaguna) Ph.D

Professor                             Dr. Navneet Kumar Sharma  M.D.( Dravyaguna)

Professor                              Dr. Rashmi Srivastava  M.D.( Dravyaguna) Ph.D

 Senior Lecturer                   Dr. Chandani Gupt M.D. (Dravyaguna)

1. NON TEACHING STAFF

     Lab. Attendant                           Sh. Prakash chand

         Mali                                          Sh. Babu Ram

RESEARCH WORK IN THE DEPARTMENT

The post graduation in the  Dravyaguna department was started in the year 2009 and presently there are total 12 P.G. scholars in the 1^st , 2^nd and 3^rd  year.

Brief summery of departmental activities

1. Teaching of B.A.M.S. II Prof.

 The department is engaged in the teaching and training of B.A.M.S. II Prof. class in the subject of Dravyaguna. Separate classes for theory and practical are conducted every day. As per the norms of CCIM, minimum 180 lectures of theory and 90 lectures of practical are required to be delivered for this subject .

B .  Teaching of  P.G. Dravyaguna

Department is conducting theory and practical classes to P.G. Dravyaguna Ist year scholars. Teaching and guidance is being given to the scholars after they get promoted to higher classes.

C. Educational tours

         Educational tours conducted  by the department :

          i)       Regular local tour of Jogindernagar Herbal garden / local areas  

          ii)      15 days tour out of state yearly

D. Teaching of B. Pharma(Ayu.) at Jogindernagar

The teachers of the department are also engaged in the teaching of B. Pharma(Ayu.) for the subject of Dravyaguna (both theory and practical) at Jogindernagar

Infrastructure of the Department

1.  ACCOMODATION

Teaching faculty room                1

Pharmacognosy  Lab.                 1

Seminar Hall                                 1

Departmental library                   1

Museum                                        1

Store                                              1

2. Specimens present in the Museum of the Department :

                        Dry specimens                            –                  300

                        Charts                                          –                  150

                       Potted medicinal plants             –                  100

3. Details of major equipment available with Institute in the Department of Dravyaguna