Department of PG & UG Studies in Dravyaguna Vijnana

Introduction to Department:

The Dravyaguna department in an Ayurveda college focuses on the study and application of mainly medicinal plants and other edibles (Dravya) and their pharmacological properties (Guna), with the goal of advancing knowledge and practice in Ayurvedic medicine.

Mission:

The mission of the Dravyaguna department is to educate and train students in the scientific understanding of medicinal plants and their therapeutic uses in the context of Ayurvedic healing. It aims to:

• Enhance Knowledge: Provide in-depth education on the properties, actions, and therapeutic potential of various Ayurvedic herbs, minerals, and substances.
• Integrate Traditional and Modern Science: Bridge the gap between traditional Ayurvedic practices and modern pharmacological research, promoting evidence-based use of medicinal plants.
• Promote Holistic Health: Equip students with the tools to use Dravyaguna in a way that fosters holistic, individualized treatment protocols in alignment with Ayurvedic principles.
• Research and Development: Conduct and encourage research in the identification, standardization, and clinical applications of Ayurvedic medicines.
• Sustainability and Conservation: Promote sustainable use and cultivation of medicinal plants and to encourage students to conserve the indigenous species and cultivate medicinal plants for their clinical usage and– emphasizing ecological balance and conservation of endangered plant species.

Vision:

The vision of the Dravyaguna department is to be a leader in the study and application of medicinal plants and substances in Ayurveda, shaping future practitioners who integrate ancient wisdom with modern scientific advancements. The department envisions:

• Global Recognition: Establishing the department as a centre of excellence in Ayurvedic drug knowledge and therapeutic application, both nationally and internationally.
• Innovation in Healing: Pioneering research on the medicinal potential of plants and natural substances to develop novel therapeutic solutions that can address contemporary health challenges.
• Sustainable Practices: Ensuring the preservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants to safeguard global biodiversity and protect traditional healing practices.
• Holistic Healthcare: Advancing Ayurveda as a comprehensive, preventative, and restorative system of medicine that can contribute to global health and wellness.

Faculty in the Department of PG & UG Studies in Dravyaguna

1. Faculty Details:
   1. Name: Dr B Ravikiran
   2. Designation: Professor and HOD
   3. Years of Experience: 20 years
   4. NCISM teachers ID: AYDG00305
   5. RGUHS Teachers ID: A0734
   6. SAMC&H Employee ID: SAMC&H/T/008
2. Faculty Details  
   1. Name: Dr Sunitha M P
   2. Designation: Professor
   3. Years of Experience: 12 years, 11 months
   4. NCISM teachers ID: AYDG00592
   5. RGUHS Teachers ID: A0167
   6. SAMC&H Employee ID: SAMC&H/T/014
3. Faculty Details 
   1. Name: Dr Niveditha Shetty
   2. Designation: Associate Professor
   3. Years of Experience: 9 years
   4. NCISM teachers ID: AYDG00247
   5. RGUHS Teachers ID: A0679
   6. SAMC&H Employee ID. SAMC&H/T/073
4. Faculty Details 
   1. Name: Dr Nischal P
   2. Designation: Assistant Professor
   3. Years of Experience 4 years 11 months
   4. NCISM teachers ID: AYDG01385
   5. RGUHS Teachers ID: –
   6. SAMC&H Employee ID: SAMC&H/T/054
5. Faculty Details 
   1. Name: Dr Akshatha Somayaji K
   2. Designation: Assistant Professor 
   3. Years of Experience: 4 months
   4. NCISM teachers ID: AYDG01993
   5. RGUHS Teachers ID: –
   6. SAMC&H Employee ID: SAMC&H/T/086

6. Department Initiatives (Visits): The department initiates educational visits to Various Herbal gardens within and outside the state and also to various QA and QC laboratories as per NCISM guidelines. The department collaborates with research institutes for conduction of Experimental studies for the post graduates. For Undergraduates, every term, the students are taken for an educational trip to Herbal gardens and Established QA and QC laboratories making it compulsory 3 visits per Professional year. For Post graduates, periodic visits to Herbal gardens, natural habitats of medicinal plants and laboratories and raw drug repositories and Herbarium libraries etc are undertaken.

7. Department Activities: 

Organised:

• Conduction of CME for Ayurveda Teaching faculty of Dravyaguna sponsored by RAV, New Delhi, Ministry of AYUSH – 2022
• Conduction of World environment day – Every year
• Raw drug Authentication for In-House Pharmacy. – Need based
• Drug Authentication and Analytical studies for various research projects of the institute. – Need based
• Workshop on AYUSHSURAKSHA – Pharmacovigilance ADR Reporting jointly organised with CARI, Bengaluru – 2024

WORKSHOPS Participated:

• Attended Workshop on Scientific writing, research intehrity and publication ethics organised by NCISM, New Delhi, Hosted by SSCASR – 2024 – Dr B Ravikiran
• Attended Workshop on Scientific writing, research intehrity and publication ethics organised by NCISM, New Delhi, Hosted by Bharatiya Sanskrit Prabodhini – 2024 – Dr Sunitha M P
• Attended 6 day CME for AYUSH Dravyaguna Teachers, Sponsored by Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi and Co-ordinated by RAV, New Delhi at NIA, Jaipur – Dr Sunitha M P
• GAMCB – National level webinar “Charakamruta” organized by the Dept. of Samhitasiddanta, PG and PhD Dept. Of Dravyaguna on 12/08/2021 and 13/08/2021 on the occasion of Charakajayanti. – Dr Nischal P
• Seth Govindji Raoji Ayurved College & Hospital, Solapur – National webinar series on “Charakbodha- Shastra to Vyavahar” held between 09th Aug 2021 to 12th Aug 2021 organised by Samhita Dept “Seth Govindji Raoji Ayurved College & Hospital, Solapur” – Dr Nischal P
• National webinar on significance of Charaka Samhita over other Samhithas 20th september 2021, organised by Shikshakprakosht of Vishwa Ayurveda Parishad – Dr Nischal P
• National webinar on Dravyaguna Vijnana organised by Department of Dravyaguna Vijnana, Ayurveda Seva Sangh’s , Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Ganeshwadi, Panchavati, Nashik,  24th August 2021 – Dr Nischal P

• Foundation Course in Educational Methodology (FCEM), organised by RGUHS Academic and Administrative Training Institute on May – June 2022 – Dr Nischal P
• Delegate in RGUHS Research writing workshop – Online – 2021 – Dr Nischal P
• Delegate in National webinar on Charakamrutha organised by GAMCB – 2021 – Dr Nischal P
• Delegate & Organizing committee in CME for AYUSH teachers in Dravyaguna. 2021 – Dr Nischal P
• Delegate in CARI Workshop on Research proposal writing for grants – 2022 – Dr Nischal P
• Delegate in CARI workshop on Pharmacovigilance. – 2024 – Dr Nischal P

8. Research activities and Publications from the Department:

Faculty projects:

1. RGUHS Funded staff research project as PI Dr Sunitha M P titled, ‘Comparative, analytical study of Apakwa, Pakwa asamskarita and Pakwa samskaritaMadanaphala – Randia dumatorum Lam.
2. RGUHS Funded Staff research Project as PI Dr Nischal P titled, ‘Method-development of Assessment andQuantification of Veerya with special reference to Dwividhaveerya and Surface Temperature- A comparative analytic-observational pilot study.
3. Dr.Niveditha Shetty Co – Investigator for a project titled “ An experimental study to evaluate the effect of Apamarga Phala (Achyranthes aspera Linn) in Bhasmaka Roga w.s.r. to Hyperthyroidism

Student Projects:

1. RGUHS Funded Student research Project by Ms Latha guided by Dr Sunitha titled, ‘In-vitro antimicrobial activity (Krimighna) of Asthi Shrinkhala (Cissus quadrangularis)
2. RGUHS Funded Student research Project by Mr Sachin guided by Dr Sunitha titled, ‘An Analytical study WSR Sukshma Guna – Particle size reduction and Potentiation of Pippali (Piper longum) subjected to various samskara (Churna, Kshara, Chousastaprahara)
3. ITAL, BENGALURU on the topic – ‘PYTHON & JAVA FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE… SAMSKRUTHA FOR LIFE SCIENCE’ – 2024 – Offline
4. Best Practices of Department (If Any).

Conduction of Medicinal plant distribution and Plantation drives – Every year