Vrikshayurveda: Ancient Indian Plant Science

Since the evolution of unicellular organisms, the skill of eating for survival has reached different levels, contributing to a happier, healthier, and more peaceful existence for both flora and fauna. In this process, scientific principles have been applied. In the Indian context, the science of human health is known as Ayurveda. The Sanskrit word Ayur means life, and Veda means knowledge or science. Thus, Ayurveda refers to the science of health or the science of life.

The Sanskrit word for tree is Vriksha. When combined with Ayurveda, the term becomes Vrikshayurveda, which translates to the science of tree life. Plants, which serve as a major source of food and medicine for humans, were studied using the principles of Ayurveda, and these findings were recorded as Vrikshayurveda.

This book aims to encourage readers to think and act courageously in finding new avenues to create a happy, healthy, and peaceful life for both humans and plants, so that plants, in turn, can provide the same benefits to mankind, carrying forward the legacy of our ancestors. At the same time, readers must keep in mind that the knowledge passed down from our ancestors is time-tested, truly scientific, and unbiased. In this regard, M. J. Filliozat, Professor at the Collège de France, states in the Journal of World History that:

"Research in ancient India led very early to the development of theories which, although ahead of their time, were nevertheless logical systems of thought about the structure of reality, that is to say, of science."

His observations specifically refer to astronomy and physiology as discussed in texts dating between 1500 BC and 500 BC. This statement is also applicable to Vrikshayurveda, as both astronomy and plant physiology are important components of it.

Further research based on the principles of Vrikshayurveda is essential because, if the future of mankind is organic, then its foundation lies in Vrikshayurveda.