Binomial nomenclature and its relation to nomenclature of medicinal plants in Classical literatures

Background: Practice of Ayurveda nomenclature (Nāmākaranam) of dravyas (Medicinal Plants) in Ayurveda traces back to the Vedic periods which is supposed to be 5000 B.C. In Vedas, plants were named after mythological belief, structure of plant’s part resembling with part of birds and animals, or rituals uses, uddabhava sthana (Habitat), svarūpa (morphological characters), karma (Pharmacological action), etc. It got scientific basis in samhitas period and named more than thousand dravyas by close observation of morphological characters, habit and habitat, and therapeutic uses. However, it states that basis of Nāmākaranam of dravyas was elaborated in Nighantus and enriched with more terminologies, and hence it is known as parayāyas (synonyms). Recently, Bentham & Hooker’s binomial nomenclature has been practiced in Ayurveda so that uniformity of Dravyas names can be maintained and accepted worldwide. Aim and objective: The main objective of this review is to explore methodology of Nāmākaranam in Vedas, samhitas and Nighantus and its relationship with binomial nomenclature. Material and method: Ayurvedic literatures and surfing web was main sources of gathering information related to names of plants. Results: Nāmākaranam of plants was found to be based on scientific evidences that describe morphological features, habit and habitat, therapeutic indications, and physical and chemical properties, doctrine of signature, source of raw materials for industries or home made products, etc. For instance, the name catuḥsira for asthisamharī coined in śabdacandrikā suggests its quadrangular stem on which the Latin name Cissus quadrangularis Linn. has been accepted. Some more names can be suggested like Bahusutā (Asparagus racemosa Linn.), Raktāngi (Rubia cordifolia), Sthirasāra (Tectona grandis), Gudatvak (Cinnamomum tamala), Visākha (Boerhaavia diffusa), etc. On the basis of above examples, it can be revealed that binomial nomenclature is improved ones of Ayurveda nomenclature for its acceptance worldwide. Conclusion: Names of plants mentioned in Vedas and Samhitas; and parayāyas in Nighantus are based on its udabhava, svarūpa, karma, sādharma, ruḍhī, svabhāva, lokopayoga, etc. Which are also considered by Bentham & Hooker’s binomial nomenclature to coin scientific name of plant species.