Herbal medicines are where one prepares a powder, decoction, juice /tonic, paste, etc. using one or more herbal ingredients.
Ayurveda medicines are where one prepares a powder, decoction, juice /tonic, paste, etc. using one or more herbal ingredients.
Both look the same and what are the differences.
The science of “dravya-guṇa-vijñānam” (materia-medica) especially the “rasapañcakam” (pharmacology) provides the following, which is the basis for preparing the medicines in Ayurveda. In addition the person (pharmacognosist), the methods (“bhaiṣajya kalpanā”), and the elaborate processes for the preparation of medicines - all are important in Ayurveda (not just the herbs).
Medicines are prepared not just based on “guṇa” (properties) but also taking into account other characteristics which induce a subtle yet substantial response in patients’ physiology and psychology, such as “rasa”, “karma”, “vīrya”, “vipāka”, “prabhāva”
Special characteristics of the herbs which are beyond “guṇa” (properties) such as “vipāka” (post-digestive effect in the body due to a substance) and “prabhāva” (undefinable quality) and their effect on ‘potency’ and ‘efficacy’ of drugs.
Among many herbs with similar “guṇa” (properties) finding the one that is suitable or compatible with the “tridoṣa prakṛti” of the patient
Even with respect to “guṇa” (properties) of substances, the Ayurvedic pharmacologists analyze over 20 properties rather than just 2 or 3.
Preparation of the medicines through special methods as per the “bhaiṣajya kalpanā” (inculcation of medicinal properties) such as “bhāvanā”, “śodhanā”, “māraṇā”, etc.
Preparation and maturing the medicines in a perfect mixture of various ingredients to enhance the “bhaiṣajya śaktiḥ” (medicinal efficacy)
Finding the “abhāva-pratinidhi-dravya” suitable alternative in the event of an important substance not being available / or become extinct.
Inclusion of substances such as “gorocanā”, “śilājit” etc. to increase the potency to multi-fold, yet taking necessary precautionary measures to prevent toxicity
Unique distillation process such as “arka” to prepare tonics
Inclusion of counter reactive substance which acts only towards eliminating the side-effects (without reducing the drug’s efficacy to act on the disease) on the physiology or non-targeted body parts.
Inculcation of Adjuvant, Adaptogenic, Homeostasis, and Immuno-modulation aspects into the medicine using substances of such kind to address the root cause of the disease by improving the body’s defense mechanisms and also to prevent re-occurring of the disease.
There are many more methods with respect to Ayurvedic “dravya-guṇa-vijñānam” (materia-medica) and “rasapañcakam” (pharmacology) for the preparation of drugs.
Therefore the medicines of Ayurveda are entirely different from that of a herbologist /herbalist or other countries/ad-hoc herbal medicine practitioners.
The science behind Ayurveda drugs is well captured in the pic. below:
