European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

LITERATURE REVIEW OF JIVAK- A MARVELLOUS HERB

Kandpal Asheesh* and Pandey Meenakshi

ABSTRACT

Astavarga plants have been used as rejuvenating agent from primordial time. First time “Sharangadhara” has quoted Astavarga term in formulation of Astavarga churna. Ashwani kumar has formulated a well known preparation named as Chayvanprash in which some plants of Astavarga are used. Jivak is described with it‟s various formulations and indications in Samhita and Chikitsa grantha, having admiring properties like Jivaniya and Vayasthapana and play a major role in strengthening immune system to fight against diseases. It belongs to “Orchidaceae” family. According to IUCN the conservation status of Jivak is in “Rare” category. Jivak is one of the content of Pratham Brahma rasayana, Chyavanprash, Haritakyadi yog, Bala tail etc formulations given in Charak chikitsa sthana. Satavaryadi tail, Jivakadi sarpi, Aajya ghrita, Gandha tail etc. are the formulations given by Acharya Sushruta in which Jivak is one of the ingredient. In Astanga Hridaya, preparations like Sarkaradi avleha, Prasarni tail, Ashvagandhadi ghrita etc. contain Jivak as one of the content. Similarly in Harita Samhita, Bhel samhita, Ashtanga Samgraha,Kashyap Samhita, Bhavprakash Samhita, Chakradutta, Yogaratnakar, Bhaishajya Ratnavali various therapeutically important preparations of Jivak are given. In various Nighantus like Saushrut Nighantu, Ashtanga Nighantu, Dhanvantari Nighantu, Bhavpraksh Nighantu, Raj Nighantu etc. description of Jivak in their respective varga/ Gana like Kakolyadi, Vidaryadi, Guduchyadi, Haritakyadi, Parpatadi etc. have been given. In this article we are going to discuss complete literature review of Jivak.

Keywords: Jivak, Orchidaceae, Chayavanprash, Pratham Brahma rasayana, Gandha tail, Bala tail.