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Introduction

Ayurvedic classics have many effective herbs to be evaluated for its identity. In order to have a perfect understanding of the plants it is therefore most essential to be well familiar with the branch of Ayurvedic pharmacology i.e., “Dravyagunavigyana”. It enables us to know the scientific knowledge of the fundamentals of Ayurvedic pharmacology and the plants. Human cultures have always been influenced by plants and plant products. Amurtimanta  Dravya like 'Dika' and Kala play a major role in execution or expression of Guna. These Dravya can either change the intensity of Guna or they can totally change the Guna. The importance of these Dravya in both the conditions as drug collection and drug administration could not be neglected. Kala plays very important role in cause of disease, prevention of disease and treatment of disease. The influence of kala can be considered in two ways .

Kala - Nityaga: Seasonal variation

Avasthika: The various stages of development of Dravya.

Medicinal plant materials should be collected from the appropriate place and during appropriate season or time period to ensure the best possible quality of both source material and finished products. Plant material collected at right time will definitely give desired result in the treatment of disease. It is well known that the potency of drug varies with the stage of plant growth in stage of development and place of its occurrence. The best time for collection should be determined according to potency of drug rather than the total vegetative yield of targeted medicinal plant parts. In Ayurveda there is specific guideline regarding collection of raw drugs and characteristics of collected material which are necessary to follow for the quality of medicine. According to Ayurveda, Dravya which is to be used in treatment should attain these qualities like Bahugunam (should possess all the Gunas), Bahukalpam (should be convertible in many types of kalpas), Sampannam (full of attributes) (1), Yogyamaushdham (should be able to treat a disease properly). To attain these qualities Dravya should be collected in specific kala or specific ritu which is called as Sangrahakala of that plant or part of plants. In ancient time collection of drugs was done with some strict scientific and holistic parameters. Before collection of drugs the seasone, time, Grahas and Nakshtras etc. were properly taken into consideration. Charak (2), Sushruta (3) and Rajanighantu(4) has described the Shangrahakala of Dravas according to their prayojyanga (part used).

Materials and methods: -

Ayurvedic classics, compendia, lexicons, literature on modern methods of drug collection, harvesting practices and papers documented research data about these techniques are considered while compiling the information.

Observation and Results: -

1. IDEAL SOIL FOR THE HERBS:

The soil which is unctuous, smooth, blackish-white or reddish in colour, nearer to water sources, tight(non-fragile), devoid of big stones, ditch, excessive water, gravels, sand particles, valmika (ant hills) is recommended best for finding quality herb and for the collection of raw materials (5).

2. CHARACTERISTICS OF COLLECTED MATERIAL:

The herbs that have to be collected for medicinal purposes should have the following characteristics –

It should not be affected by smoke, rain, air or water. It should be collected in respective seasons, from prasastabhumi which should be free from pests, poisonous weapon, severe sunlight, high breeze, fire, excessive moisture and any kind of disease. It should not be collected from road sides, should be well developed and deeply rooted in the soil, and must have a single predominant taste in it with its natural odor, color and taste. It should be new and must be used within one year of its collection from field and must be collected from eastern and northern side for therapeutic utility. (6)

3. METHOD OF COLLECTION OF RAW DRUGS:

The person who is going to collect raw material for manufacture of medicine for well-being of human kind should follow the ritual procedure. He must be neat and clean both physically and mentally, should wear white clothes, should perform prayer prior to collection, must be fasting overnight. The useful parts shall be collected either from the east or north side. According to Ayurveda the raw material to be used shall be collected according to part-used, season of collection and its potency, in a specific manner.(7)

4. TIME OF COLLECTION ACCORDING TO PART USED:

Sushrutokta Dravya Sangraha Vichara:

A. Sangraha of Dravya with respect to its Veerya (8)

1. Sheeta veerya dravya (Soumyaoushadha) should be collected in soumya-ritu (cold season) i.e., in varsha, hemanta & shisira ritu.

2. Ushna veerya dravya (agney aoushadha) should be collected in agneya-ritu (hot season) i.e., in sharad, varsha and grishma-ritu.

B. Sangraha of Dravya with raspect to Mahabhutadikya in Bhumi (9)

Acharya Sushruta described the significance of bhumi (soil), while collecting the drugs for different therapeutic purposes as-

1. Veerachandrava/ purgatives should be collected from soil rich in prithvi and jalmahabhuta.

2. Vamandrava/ emetics should be collected from soil rich in agni, vayu & akashmahabhuta.

3. Ubhayabhagharadravya/ dravya having both purgative & emetics property must be collected from soil rich in all the five mix mahabhuta.

4. Samanyadravya/palliative drugs should be collected from soil rich in akashmahabhuta.

 Sharangdharokta Dravya Sangraha Vichar

1. Dravya Sangraha as per Desha (Region)(10)

Sharangdhara advocates collection of agneyadravas (Ushna veerya dravya) from Vindhya region and Soumyaoushadha (Sheeta veerya dravya) from Himalayan region. Bhavprakash also mentioned the same sangraha according to agneya and ushna veerya of aushadhi. (11)

b. Collection of raw material according to pharmacological properties (12)

1 Veerachan/purgation- Vasanta-ritu

2 Vaman/emesis- Vasanta-ritu

3 For all other purposes -Sharad-ritu

Bhavprakash also mentioned same sangaraha kala as like Sharangadhara. (13) In this way our Acharya explained the concept of Sangrahakala in detailed.

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Discussion

The description of collection practices is well documented in Vedic, Ayurvedic literature. Therapeutic efficiency is presumed to depend on the quality and quantity of the secondary metabolites which in turn are influenced by the method of collection.The data analysed in this communication highlight the importance of application of collection practices to achieve desired therapeutic effect as herbs without good potency become useless weapon of physician as well as pharmaceuticals industries. Acharya Sarangdhara also explained the relationship between the collection of raw drugs in a specific season and for specific therapeutic effect depending upon their respective pharmacological properties.

Conclusion

Conceptual study gives an insight about the historical review and basic facts regarding the subject. It also helps in acquaintance with the  fundamentals of the particular subject. The concept of Samgrahakala is the expertise of Ayurveda and is established as the one of the foremost principles.