Shreyashe Awadhkishor Nayak, Jyotsna Kulkarni and Aparna M Ghotankar

Dravya is an important concept in Ayurveda, acting as a source of various properties like Guna (qualities), Karma (action), Rasa (taste), Virya (potency), and Vipaka (post-digestive effect), which influence its effects on the body. The quality of herbal Dravya, whether grown on farms or collected from forests, depends on the type of soil and land where it grows. Ancient texts like the Samhitas and Vedas describe BhoomiPariksha (soil testing) in detail, highlighting its role in farming and medicinal plant cultivation. The success of Ayurveda’s four key pillars-Bhishak (doctor), Aushadhi (medicine), Rugna (patient), and Paricharak (caretaker)-relies on the quality of medicines, which in turn depends on fertile soil (PrashastaBhoomi).

Modern science also recognizes that nutrient-rich soil is essential for plant growth. Farmers often add natural supplements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and manganese to improve soil fertility. However, pollution from air and water can lower the medicinal value of plants. Proper soil testing is important not just for farming but also for deciding land use for drinking water sources, roads, and buildings. Ayurveda teaches that a patient’s health is influenced by their environment, and medicines should come from their natural habitat for the best results. By combining ancient wisdom with modern scientific methods, we can improve agriculture and produce high-quality medicinal plants.

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