The Green Paradox in Organic Market:  Vrikshayurveda-Green Chemistry Framework for Sustainable Agriculture

Anisha Madan

Department of Dravyagunavigyan, National Institute of Ayurveda, Deemed University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Corresponding Author Email:anishamadanjune12@gmail.com

Abstract:

Global demand for Ayurvedic herbs is surging, but this growth paradoxically fuels unsustainable practices-over-harvesting, habitat destruction, soil degradation, and reliance on synthetic pesticides that compromise both environmental integrity and therapeutic potential as well as this contradiction undermines ayurveda's foundational nature-centric philosophy. This article bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary science by examining vrikshayurveda, the classical Ayurvedic science of plant cultivation documented in texts such as Surapala's vrikshayurveda, and  the Brihatsamhita. These texts contain time-tested techniques for soil management, organic nutrient cycling, botanical pest control, and seasonal cultivation, documented centuries before the advent of synthetic agricultural chemistry. Remarkably, these practices show meaningful alignment with several Green Chemistry principles, a framework for designing safer, sustainable chemical processes that minimize waste and environmental harm. This article argues that vrikshayurveda-based methods offer a viable pathway toward reducing synthetic inputs, improving soil health, enhancing phytochemical potency, and establishing a sustainable Ayurvedic herb industry while preserving ecosystems. This article is a narrative review examining the integration of Vrikshayurveda principles with Green Chemistry for sustainable medicinal herb cultivation. A narrative review methodology was selected to comprehensively synthesize classical agricultural texts, contemporary phytochemical research, soil microbiology findings, and case study evidence across diverse geographical and cultivation contexts. This approach enabled critical evaluation of the alignment between traditional practices and modern scientific frameworks, rather than meta-analytical quantification of standardized interventions. The review incorporates evidence from peer-reviewed literature, classical Ayurvedic texts, agricultural case studies, and scientific validation across multiple disciplines.

Keywords:

Bhumi pareeksha; Biopesticides; Green chemistry; Kunapajala; Panchagavya; Vrikshayurveda

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