A comprehensive review on Ahara and Aushadha Dravyas of the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu for male reproductive health

Globally, male infertility contributes to approximately 40%–50% of all infertility cases and affects an estimated 8%–12% of couples. In India, the prevalence ranges between 4% and 10%, with a rising incidence that has been associated with lifestyle modifications, psychosocial stress, environmental exposures, and dietary transition. This growing public health challenge underscores the need for safe, natural, and efficacious therapeutic strategies. Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest medical traditions, offers a comprehensive repository of knowledge in this context. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu , a classical Ayurvedic lexicon, categorizes both Ahara (dietary substances) and Aushadha (herbs) into specific groups ( Vargas ) based on their characteristics, such as their source, nature, morphology, therapeutic applications and parts used. This study presents a compiled tabular representation of Ahara Dravyas (food substances) from Vargas , such as Dhanya , Shaka , Mamsa , Kritanna (group of processed food items), Vaari , Dugdha , and Aushadha Dravyas (medicinal plants) from Vargas like Hareetakyadi , Karpooradi , and Guduchyadi . Medicinal plants include the Sanskrit name, botanical identity, and highlight their Ayurvedic significance. Notably, several of these substances possess Vrishya (promoting vigor with aphrodisiac effect) and Shukrala (increasing the amount of semen) properties, indicating their potential role in promoting male reproductive health. These Dravyas may help in the management of conditions such as Khiṇashukra (decreased semen), Dustashukra (morbidities of semen), Klaibya (impotence/erectile dysfunction), oligospermia (low sperm count), male infertility, and other related disorders. This compilation aims to provide a concise and comparative overview of classical Ayurvedic knowledge, facilitating a deeper understanding of the subject and future clinical correlations.