In Hindu mythology, Sanjeevani is a magical herb which has the power to cure any malady. It was believed that medicines prepared from this herb could revive a dead person.
This herb is mentioned in the 'Ramayana'. During the fierce battle that happened between Ravana’s son Indrajit and Lakshmana, Ravana's son Indrajit hurls a powerful weapon at Lakshmana. Lakshmana is badly wounded and is nearly killed by Indrajit. In that desperate hour, Hanuman approached the Lanka's Rajavaidya (Royal doctor) for guidance. Then Hanuman was asked to fetch the Mrita Sanjivani herb from the mount Dronagiri in the Himalayas or the Valley of Flowers. 'Sushena' has mentioned that on Himalayas, between Kailash and Rishabh mountain there lies a mountain of life giving herbs. The herbs are of four categories: mritsanjivani(for life), vishalyakarani(for arrows), suvarnakarani(for skin color) , and sandhanakarani(for skin color). They always emit light. He told Hanuman to bring those herbs as soon as possible. Upon reaching Mount Sumeru, Hanuman was unable to identify the herb and decided to lift the entire mountain and bring it to the battlefield.
'Selaginella bryopteris', known commonly as sanjeevani and sanjivani booti (Devanagari:संजीवनी), is a lithophytic plant. It is used medicinally in India. The popular name sanjeevani which translates as "One that infuses life" derives from the medicinal properties. While some references in scientific literature list Selaginella bryopteris as the Sanjeevani mentioned in Hindu mythology, a search of ancient texts currently underway in CSIR laboratories has so far not revealed any plant that can be definitively confirmed as Sanjeevani. In certain texts it is written that Sanjeevani glows in the dark.Sanjeevani grows on the hills of tropical areas, particularly the Arawali Mountain terrains from east to west in India.
Some people have claimed that they were able to locate two groups of plants in the Dronagiri Hills saying that the ancient magic herbal plant could be among them. This hill is in Joshimath, Garhwal at a height of 15,000 ft.. Agricultural scientists at Indian National Botanical Research Institute are working hard on 'Sanjeevani Booti' to reveal more facts about it.
Traditionally in India, the dry plant has been used as a remedy for several human health complications for centuries, mostly by tribal people. Uses include relief from heat stroke, dysuria, irregular menstruation, and jaundice, but the effectiveness has not been scientifically verified. It is popularly known as life saving herbs by the tribal people of 'Dhouladhar' hilly areas living in western Himalaya areas.They used to call it Bana or Shiva. They used to bring those plants to their homes and pray them. it is a plant of very great importance to the mankind and it should be studied thoroughly.In the high, hostile peaks of the Himalayas where sustaining life is a challenge in itself, scientists say they have found a “wonder herb” that can regulate the immune system, help adapt to the mountain environment and, above all, protect from radioactivity.
From THE HINDU, news paper LEH edition :
Scientists say Himalayan herb is modern-day sanjeevani.
“Rhodiola is a wonder plant that has immunomodulatory [enhancing immune], adaptogenic [adapting to difficult climatic condition] and radio-protecting abilities due to presence of secondary metabolites and phytoactive compounds unique to the plant,” R.B. Srivastava, Director, DIHAR, told IANS.
Mr. Srivastava said the herb can mitigate the effects of gamma radiation used in bombs in biochemical warfare. The Leh-based lab of the DRDO, the world’s highest agro-animal research laboratory, has been studying this wonder plant for more than a decade. “While its adaptogenic qualities can help the soldiers in adjusting to the low pressure, low oxygen environment, the plant has also been found to have anti-depressant and appetiser properties,” said Mr. Srivastava.
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Scientists wonder if it is the end to the quest for sanjeevani, the mythical herb that gave renewed life to Ram’s brother Lakshman in the epic Ramayana.
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| Rhodiola, the mythical herb. |
In the high, hostile peaks of the Himalayas where sustaining life is a challenge in itself, scientists say they have found a “wonder herb” that can regulate the immune system, help adapt to the mountain environment and, above all, protect from radioactivity.
Rhodiola, a herb found in the cold and highland climate, has led the country’s leading scientists to wonder if it is the end to the quest for sanjeevani, the mythical herb that gave renewed life to Ram’s brother Lakshman in the epic Ramayana.
Locally called ‘Solo’ in Ladakh, the qualities of Rhodiola were largely unknown so far. The leafy parts of the plant were used as vegetable by locals. However, research by the Leh-based Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) is exploring the therapeutic values of the herb.
“Rhodiola is a wonder plant that has immunomodulatory [enhancing immune], adaptogenic [adapting to difficult climatic condition] and radio-protecting abilities due to presence of secondary metabolites and phytoactive compounds unique to the plant,” R.B. Srivastava, Director, DIHAR, told IANS.
Mr. Srivastava said the herb can mitigate the effects of gamma radiation used in bombs in biochemical warfare. The Leh-based lab of the DRDO, the world’s highest agro-animal research laboratory, has been studying this wonder plant for more than a decade. “While its adaptogenic qualities can help the soldiers in adjusting to the low pressure, low oxygen environment, the plant has also been found to have anti-depressant and appetiser properties,” said Mr. Srivastava.
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cut it down
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