Concept of Veerya (Active Principle or Potency or Bio Active Compounds of the Drug): A Review
Author : Dr. Umakant N Rabb
Abstract :
Dravyaguna Vijnana is considered as the first branch of Ayurveda by Pandit Narahari in his lexicon named Raja Nighantu. The pursuit of health and mitigates the disease is prime importance in Ayurveda Shastra. While this can only be achieved through the proper administration of the Dravyas (Drugs). The action of these drugs depends upon the potency or biochemical compounds. These active principles of the drugs are called as Veerya. The Veerya is derived from the Sanskrit word Veer ie potency or powerful. According to Acharya P.V. Sharma the word Veerya is the factor which is responsible for the drug action. In modern pharmacology it is the active potency or bio molecule active compounds of the drug. The Veerya may be physical energy or may be biochemical energy in the drug. The knowledge of Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka, Prabhava were found during Vedic period. Acharya Charaka and Rasa Vaisheshika enumerated the types of Veeryas Viz; Guna Veerya Vada, Karma Veerya Vada, Dravya Veerya Vada. The Guna Veerya Vada is further classified into Shakti Matra Veerya Vada by Acharya Charaka, and Paribhashika Veerya Vada by Acharya Sushruta and Acharya Vagbhata. Whereas Dravya Veerya Vada is again classified in to Chintya Veerya (Veerya), and Achintya Veerya (Prabhava). In general the UN metabolized pharmacological active molecule of the known drug is known as Veerya. The exothermic and endothermic reactions can be co related with Ushna Veerya and Sheeta Veerya. The active principles of the drug are the constituents of the drugs include alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, fixed oils, volatile oils, fats, waxes, gums, resins, oleoresins, gum resins, balsams, tannins, neutral principles on which the characteristic therapeutic actions take place. These active principles are the chemical constituents present in crude raw materials and are responsible for biological activities. The present work is reviewed the concept of Veerya, influencing factors and the pharmacological active compounds with the help of classical as well as digital data.
Keywords :
Veerya, dwividha veerya, astha visha veerya, ushna veerya, sheeta veera, bio active compounds, active principles
