Controversy in identification of medicinal plants has been a problem since ages. When we refer the classical text like Caraka Samhita, it becomes important to know the exact medicinal plant mentioned in the formulation or treatment. The controversy regarding a plant is found to be of two types mainly.
Single classical plant having multiple botanical identities eg. Parpata, Rasna, Amlavetasa, Bharangi, Pasanabheda
Botanically identified single plant with multiple classical identities eg. Bacopa monnieri, Clitoria ternatea
The plants of this study fall under second category. The plants C.viscosa, Linn. and G.gynandra, Linn. are having multiple classical identities like Ajagandha, Tilaparni, Suvarcala, Brahmasuvarcala and Adityabhakta. An effort is made to resolve the controversy by comparing the information of these plants from classical Ayurvedic texts and Modern texts in this article.
Method:
Compilation of all the data from Literature
Comparision of classical data with viscosa and G.gynandra characteristics
Conclusion is made on the basis of observations
Observation and Conclusion:
Comparisons of all the above discussed classical plants with Cloeme viscosa, Linn. and Gynandropsis gynandra, Linn. shows Ajagandha being similar to Gynandropsis and Tilaparni being similar to Cleome.