Research Article

Floristic Composition and Ethno Botanical Studies of
Viswema Village, Kohima, Nagaland, India

*Maneesha Singh and Medochulie Kin

Abstract

The original source of 'Soma' plant is a mystery that has been debated by the vedic and botanical scholars for
more than two & a half centuries. The present article deals with short review ofthe earlier works done on 'Soma' plant; the history and the migration of the Aryans from Central Asia to Afghanistan and India and the history of Rig-veda, in which plant is first mentioned and the history of Sanskrit, the language of Rigveda, in which Soma is described, and the findings of the Russian Archaeologists, who had discovered the remains of the migrating Aryans; the description of Soma in 'Sushurta Samhita in the post Rigvedic period, and the important surrogates or substitutes of 'Soma' such as; Ruta graveolens, Ephedra spcs., Ceropegia sp. (Asclepiadaceae), Periploca aphylla (Asclepiadaceae), Peganum harmala (Syrian rue or Harmal), and lastly; Madhuca indica, as Soma in Tamil literature; The Fly Agaric, a mushroom identified as 'Soma' by Dr. Wasson, during pre Rig-vedic period in Central Asia; and about his visit to India, and the collection of 'soma' by the Falcons mentioned in Rigveda; and the latest botanical plants, designated as 'Soma', Nymphea / Nelumbo (Lotus) species propounded by Spess (2000). The pharmacology and chemistry in brief of the plants designated as 'Soma' plants, and finally the present status of 'Soma' in Indian religion & culture. The important plants advocated by various authors as a candidates of 'Soma' are discussed, and are Tabulated.

Corresponding Author :
Founder & Ex. Director,
Herbal Research & Development Institute, Uttarakhand
& Retd. Head Botany & Pharmacognosy
Division, CIMAP (CSIR)
Founder Secretary cum Treasurer,
Society of Ethnobotanist (lndia).
MS-78, Sector-D, Aliganj, Lucknow-226024
Phone: 0522-2326489. E-mail: shahncdr@gmail.com