Correspondence Address:
Dr. Rutuja Ravindranath Patil Final year Post Graduate Scholar, Dept. of Dravyaguna Vigyan, Y.M.T. Ayurvedic Medical College and PG Institute, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. Email- rutujarpatil02@gmail.com
Date of Acceptance: 2025-12-15
Date of Publication:2026-01-03
Article-ID:IJIM_484_01_26 https://ijim.co.in
Source of Support: Nill
Conflict of Interest: Non declared
How To Cite This Article: Patil R., Kadam M. Keshya Dravya in Dhanvantari Nighantu – A Classical Literary Exploration. Int J Ind Med 2025;6(12):14-22 DOI: http://doi.org/10.55552/IJIM.2025.61203
Hair (Kesha) is considered as crown of beauty. Kesha is Upadhatu of Asthi Dhatu and Mala of Majja Dhatu in Ayurveda. Keshya dravya refer to dravya (medicinal herbs) beneficial to hair. They can be described as Kesha sanjanana- that which helps in the origin of hair. Kesha vardhana- that which promotes hair growth or which makes hair dense and thick. Kesha ranjana- that which gives dark black color to the hair. The Dhanvantari Nighantu, Materia Medica text (dated approx. 10th–13th century AD), has described various dravya as keshya (beneficial for hair). They have been mentioned as – keshya, keshyavruddhikar(hair growth promoting), keshyamutamam(beneficial for hair), keshyaranjanana(maintaining black color of hair). Nine dravyas are mentioned as keshya dravya in Dhanvantari Nighantu. This article provides a review of these specific dravyas termed as Keshya within this text. It provides references from nighantu and its Ayurvedic Rasapanchak (pharmacological properties) along with its research studies supporting keshya property.
Keywords: Ayurveda, Dravyaguna, Dhanvantari Nighantu, Keshya Dravya, Hair, Hair Care, Nighantu, Hair Health, Traditional Medicine, Herbal Remedies, Hair Growth.
