Assessment of Veerya of Selected Medicinal Plants Using Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Veerya, the inherent potency of a Dravya, is the dynamic principle that enables it to express its therapeutic action. In Ayurveda, Veerya is considered a decisive factor that governs the Karma (action) of a drug and is primarily classified as Ushna (heating) or Sheeta (cooling). A substance that loses Veerya (Nirveerya) becomes pharmacologically inactive, highlighting the importance of this property in clinical application. The present study evaluates thirteen Ayurvedic medicinal plants described in classical texts. Exothermic and endothermic reactions are used as simple experimental tools to observe the energetic behaviour of each plant, providing supportive insight into the Ayurvedic classification of Veerya. This approach bridges traditional concepts with measurable thermodynamic responses, allowing better understanding of the potency of these medicinal plants.