Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

The concept of Pratinidhi Dravya (substitution of drugs) occupies a vital place in Ayurvedic pharmaceutics, ensuring therapeutic continuity when genuine herbal resources are scarce or unavailable. Rooted in classical texts such as Bhaishajya Ratnavali and Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, substitution is based on the principle of selecting herbs with comparable rasa (taste), guna (properties), virya (potency), and karma (therapeutic actions). Ancient physicians devised systematic substitution methods to address challenges of regional availability, overharvesting, and ecological degradation. Modern pharmacognosy further validates these classical practices through phytochemical, pharmacological, and analytical studies, confirming the therapeutic equivalence of several traditional substitutes. While substitution supports sustainability and accessibility in Ayurvedic practice, it demands scientific justification and regulatory oversight to maintain safety and efficacy. This review explores the historical foundations, classical documentation, pharmacological rationale, and modern perspectives on herbal substitution, emphasizing its role as a bridge between traditional wisdom and contemporary scientific validation in herbal medicine.