Abstract

LITERATURE REVIEW ON SYNONYMS OF CISSAMPELOS PAREIRA LINN. OR PATHA FROM AYURVEDIC SAMHITAS AND NIGHANTUS

Dr. Roopesh Shridhar Jadhav* and Dr. Soniya Ujjwal Gupta

ABSTRACT

Cissampelos pareira Linn., commonly known as Patha Vanaspati inAyurveda, is a medicinal plant of great importance, known for itsextensive therapeutic properties as documented in the classicalAyurvedic texts. These ancient texts, which serve as the foundation ofAyurvedic wisdom, offer a comprehensive literary account of thevarious uses, benefits, and applications of Patha. The plant isrecognized for its wide range of medicinal virtues, including its antiinflammatory,diuretic, and antimicrobial properties, making it highlyvaluable in the treatment of various ailments. However, despite its hightherapeutic demand, the production of Cissampelos pareira Linn.,remains relatively limited. This imbalance between its supply anddemand has led to frequent issues of adulteration and substitution,where inferior or incorrect plant materials are used in place of genuinePatha. Such practices not only compromise the efficacy of Ayurvedictreatments but also pose significant risks to patient safety.[1,2] The accurate identification ofPatha is thus of paramount importance to ensure its proper use in medicine. Moreover, thescope of its therapeutic applications needs to be further explored and researched, as much ofits potential remains underutilized or misunderstood. This article endeavors to delve into themeanings of the basonym (the original name) and the various synonyms of Patha asmentioned in Ayurvedic texts. By doing so, it aims to clarify the identity of this plant andpromote its precise and more therapeutic applications in Ayurvedic practice, therebyenhancing the quality and effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatments.

Keywords: Patha, Cissampelos pareira Linn., Synonyms.