Dravyaguna for Westerners: Ayurvedic Pharmacology for Western Herbs

In Ayurveda, the science of herbal medicine is called Dravya Guna Shastra or the "science of the attributes of substances". Unfortunately, this science has been unavailable to the vast majority of Westerns due to language, terminology and culture. This textbook is a bridge for the Western doctor, herbalist, practitioner, or therapist to the ancient science of herbal medicines in Ayurveda. It is one of three textbooks that form a series on the important subjects of Ayurvedic diagnosis & pathology, Ayurvedic treatments and Ayurvedic medicines. This textbook is the result of 13 years of clinical research and 10 years of teaching experience in Ayurvedic herbal therapies. The textbook includes 115 herbal monographs that explain in detail the herb according to Ayurveda. Additionally there are 45 herbal formulas indicated by disorders - each adjusted for the cause of the disorder according to vata, pitta, or kapha dosha. Each monograph has a color photo of the medicinal plant and space to make personal notes. This textbook is used by a number of schools in Italy, Holland, Switzerland, France and the USA since 2009.


About the Author
Vaidya Atreya Smith is the author of six books published in nine different languages and three textbooks on Ayurveda. Since 1987 Atreya has studied with a number of Indian professors of Ayurveda in India and continues his studies with his teachers in India to this day. In 2005 he was awarded the title of 'Vaidya' from Professor K.C. Chunekar of Varanasi which translates as 'a knower of classical medical texts', commonly used instead of the term 'doctor' for traditional practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine in India. He started the European Institute of Vedic Studies in 1998 to promote the knowledge of Ayurveda in Europe and offers training programs for Ayurvedic practitioners around the world by e-learning since 2010.