Apâmârga is a well known drug and has been used widely in Ayurvedic therapeutics. In Brhattrayî, Charak and Susrut have mentioned only one variety of the drug by different names in different references. These names are being considered as synonyms of the same source plant A. aspera L.. by the Scholars of Âyurveda. Vâgbhatta in Astâng Hridaya has mentioned one more variety of Apâmârga by the name of GAURDANDA APÂMÂRGA. Nighantu writers have
mentioned two varieties of the drug viz. White and Red. Identity of different varieties of Apamarga has not been established satisfactorily till date. While working on the research project entitled “Studies on Herbal Drugs Used as Ethnomedicine by the Tharu Tribe of Kheri District (U.P., India)” during my post graduation, two distinct varieties of Apâmârga have been noticed being used by the tribal medicine men. A critical discussion regarding the botanical identity of two varieties of the plant drug is being produced here.