The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s1.10

c4.s1.10

Susruta divides medicines into thirty seven classes, named after the first article of each class. The medicines included in each class have certain common properties, such as acidity, sweetness, astringency, etc., are often used in combination, and can be substituted for one another. This has the advantage of bringing analogous substances under one head, but numerous medicines come to be written under two or more heads. The Nighantu and some other works on the properties of medicines adopt the following classification in describing them :—1. Strongly scented substances. 2. Moderately scented substances. 3. Weak scented substances. 4. Extracts. 5. Precious stones. 6. Metals. 7. Sweet plants. 8. Acid plants. 9. Potherbs. 10. Bitter herbs. 11. Flower plants. 12. Fruit-bearing creepers. 13. Root-stocks. 14. Large trees. 15. Middle sized trees. 16. Small trees or shrubs. 17. Creepers. 18. Corn and Pulses. 19. Cooked food. 20. Different sorts of water. 21. Fluids as milk, honey, etc. 22. Necessaries of life, such as baths, dress, ornaments, etc. 23. The influence of the elements and imponderables, etc.