Abhava Pratinidhi Dravyas (Concept of Substitutes for Herbs – in Ayurveda)
Table of Contents
Article By – Dr. Shilpa Ramdas MD (Ayu)
“Abhava dravya” – Unavailable herb
“Pratinidhi dravya” – Substitute Herb
In the concept of “Abhava pratinidhi Dravya” – A particular herb is replaced with another one with similar properties and action; due to non-availability, cost, or other reasons.
The herb which is used during non-availability of original herb is known as substituent.
Concept of substitution in Ayurveda
There is no direct reference available regarding the Pratinidhi Dravyas in Ayurvedic books like Charaka samhita and Sushruta Samhita.
In the 15th chapter of the Sutra Sthana, Acharya Vagbhala advises that if a specific herb is unavailable during the preparation of a compound, one should try to get alternative herb with similar properties in terms of Rasa (taste), Guna (qualities), Veerya (potency), and Vipaka (post-digestive effect).
A description regarding Pratinidhi Dravyas (substitutes) is available in Bhavaprakasha, Bhaishajya Ratnavali and Yogaratnakara. In the text Bhaishajya Ratnavali, it is clearly stated that the main herb in any formulation cannot be substituted. The accessory herb in the formulation can be substituted by appropriate Pratinidhi Dravya.
BP – Bhavaprakasa
BR – Bhaishaja Ratnavali
YR – Yoga Ratnakara
| Abhava Dravya | Pratinidhi Dravya (Substitutes) | ||
| BP | BR | YR | |
| Bhallataka | Raktachandana | Chitraka | Chitrakamoola |
| Chavya | Pippalimoola | Pippali moola | Pippalimoola |
| Chitraka | Danti, Apamarga kshara | Dantimoola | Danti, Apamarga kshara |
| Dadima | Vrikshamla | ||
| Daruharidra | Haridra | Haridra | Haridra |
| Dhanyaka | Yavasa | Duralabha | Duralabha |
| Draksha | Gambhariphala | Gambhariphala, Madhukapushpa | |
| Gajapippali | Pippali moola | Pippali moola | Pippali moola |
| Haritaki | Amalaki | Karkatakasringi | |
| Jiraka | Dhanyaka | ||
| Karkatakasringi | Mayambuphala | ||
| Kasturi | Kankola | Kankola, Dantashati | Kankola, Malatipushpa, Jatipushpa |
| Kokilaksha | Gokshurabija | ||
| Kumkuma | Kusumbapushpa | Haridra, Kusumbapushpa | Kusumbapushpa |
| Langali | Kushta | ||
| Madhu | Purana Guda | Purana Guda | Purana Guda |
| Musta | Haritaki | ||
| Nagakesara | Padmakesara | Padmakesara | Padmakesara |
| Nirgundi | Tulasi | ||
| Pushkaramula | Kushta | Kushta | Kushta |
| Raktachandana | Kasa | Nava ushira | Nava ushira |
| Bakuchi | Chakramardha | ||
| Tagara | Kushta | Kushta | |
| Yashtimadhu | Dhataki pushpa | Chavya, Dhataki pushpa | Dhataki pushpa |
| Rasanjana | Daruharidra | Darvikwatha | Daruharidra |
| Ikshu | Nala | Nala | Nala |
| Karpura | Mustaka, Raktachandana | Raktachandana, Sugandhi musta | Raktachandana, Sugandhi musta |
| Bhringaraja | Talisapatra, Kantakari | ||
| Bharngi | Talisapatra, Kantakari | Talisapatra, Kantakari | |
| Bakuchi | Chakramardha | ||
| Ativisha | Musta | Musta | Haritaki |
| Amlavetas | Chukra | Chukra | Chukra |
| Ahimsra | Manakanda | Manakanda | Manakanda |
| Arka parna dugdha | Arka patra Swarasa | Arka patra Swarasa | Arka patra Swarasa |
| Bakula | Kamala, Utpala | Nila, Rakta uppala | Utpala, Pankaja |
| Chukra | Jambiradi rasa | ||
| Dugdha | Mudga, masura Yusha | Mudga, masura Yusha | Mudga, masura Yusha |
| Gambhari phala | Bandhuka kusuma | Madhuka pusha | |
| Godugda | Ajadugda | Ajadugda | |
| Goghrita | Ajaghrita | Ajaghrita | |
| Guduci satva | Guduchi rasa | ||
| Kamala | Kamalaksha | ||
| Kankola | Javitri | Jatipushpa | Jatipushpa, Malati pushpa |
| Kantaloha | Tikshna loha | Tikshna loha | |
| Kusha | Kasha | ||
| Kutaja | Maushalika moola | ||
| Lakshmana | Mayurashikhaa | Nilakantashikha | Nilakantashikha |
| Lavana | Saindhava | ||
| Loha | Mandura | ||
| Murva | Jingini tvak | Jingini tvak | Jingini tvak |
| Nilakamala | Kumudini | ||
| Prishniparni | Simhapuchchhi | ||
| Punarnava | Rakta punarnava | Rakta punarnava | |
| Rasasindhura | Shuddha Hingula | ||
| Rasna | Bamdhaka | ||
| Saindhava | Samudra, Vida | ||
| Shrikandachandana | Karpura | ||
| Stauneyaka | Kushta | Kushta | |
| Siddharthaka | Samanya Sarshapa | ||
Substitute of Ashtavarga Group of Herbs
| 1 | Jivaka, Rishabhaka | Vidarikanda | Vidarikanda | |
| 2 | Meda, Mahameda | Shatavari | Shatavari | |
| 3 | Riddhi, Vriddhi | Varahikanda | ||
| 4 | Kakoli, kshirakakoli | Ashwaganda | Shatavari | Ashwaganda |
