| Ayurvedic classics have advocated to collect the medicinal plants according to part used and seasons in order to get desired pharmacological action and therapeutic benefits. Sushruta, Charaka and other acharyas advocate the collection of various parts of medicinal plants in different seasons. The logic behind such recommendations has been validated by recent modern scientific research. | | Ayurvedic classics have advocated to collect the medicinal plants according to part used and seasons in order to get desired pharmacological action and therapeutic benefits. Sushruta, Charaka and other acharyas advocate the collection of various parts of medicinal plants in different seasons. The logic behind such recommendations has been validated by recent modern scientific research. |
− | In a study the variations in the phytoconstituents of ''Ashwagandha'' root was evaluated according to lunar cycles with regard to ''grishma'' and ''shishira ritu'' (summer and late winter season). In this study, total phenolic, flavonide and carbohydrate content of ''Ashwagandha'' root were found more in ''poornima'' (full moon day) samples. GAP (''Grishma Ashadha Poornima'', or the full moon night occurring in the ''Grishma-Ashadha'' season) samples showed maximum differentiation from rest of the samples with regards to TCA, TCW, TFW, MEx, WEX, pH etc. parameters. The ''Grishma-Jyeshtha Poornima'' (GJP) and GAP samples were found to be superior than ''Amavasya'' (new moon day) samples with regard to functional groups and with anoloid content respectively (Ref. 2016 Ancient Science of Life) . Such type of studies validate the concept of seasonal collection of drug delineated in Ayurveda classics like [[Charaka Samhita]] and ''Sushruta Samhita''. | + | In a study the variations in the phytoconstituents of ''Ashwagandha'' root was evaluated according to lunar cycles with regard to ''grishma'' and ''shishira ritu'' (summer and late winter season). In this study, total phenolic, flavonide and carbohydrate content of ''Ashwagandha'' root were found more in ''poornima'' (full moon day) samples. GAP (''Grishma Ashadha Poornima'', or the full moon night occurring in the ''Grishma-Ashadha'' season) samples showed maximum differentiation from rest of the samples with regards to TCA, TCW, TFW, MEx, WEX, pH etc. parameters. The ''Grishma-Jyeshtha Poornima'' (GJP) and GAP samples were found to be superior than ''Amavasya'' (new moon day) samples with regard to functional groups and with anoloid content respectively. <ref>Tavhare SD, Nishteswar K, Shukla VJ. Effect of seasonal variations on the phytoconstituents of Aśvagandhā w.r. to lunar cycles. Ancient Sci Life. 2016;35((3)):150–8 available online https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4850775/</ref> <ref>Tavhare SD, Nishteswar K, Shukla VJ. Influence of lunar cycles on growth of Ashwagandha(Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal). AYU [serial online] 2015 [cited 2019 Jan 22];36:258-64. Available from: http://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2015/36/3/258/182763 </ref> Such type of studies validate the concept of seasonal collection of drug delineated in Ayurveda classics like [[Charaka Samhita]] and ''Sushruta Samhita''. |