Vanaspati

Vanaspati (Devanagari: ) is the Sanskrit word that now refers to the entire plant kingdom. However, according to '' Charaka Samhitā'' and '' Sushruta Samhita'' medical texts and the '' Vaisesikas'' school of philosophy, "vanaspati" is limited to plants that bear fruits but no evident flowers. In the ''Rigveda'', 9th Mandala, Hymn 5.10, "Vanaspati" (literally meaning: Lord of the Forest) is a deity presiding over the forest and described as the "ever-green, the golden-hued, refulgent, with a thousand boughs."

Concept in Hindu scriptures

The ''Rigveda'' divides plants into Vrksha (tree), Oshadhi (herbs useful to humans) and Virudha (creepers). These are subdivided into:
* ''Visakha'' (shrubs),
* ''Sasa'' (herbs),
* ''Vratati'' (climbers),
* ''Pratanavati'' (creepers) and
* ''Alasala'' (spreading on the ground).
All grasses are separately classified as ''Trna'', flowering plants are ''Puspavati'', and the fruit bearing ones are ''Phalavati''. Leafless plants are placed under the group, ''Karira''.

Other veda, the ''Atharvaveda'' divides plants into eight classes:
* (1) ''Visakha'' (spreading branches);
* (2) ''Manjari'' (leaves with long clusters);
* (3) ''Sthambini'' (bushy plants);
* (4) ''Prastanavati'' (which expands);
* (5) ''Ekasrnga'' (those with monopodial growth);
* (6) ''Pratanavati'' (creeping plants);
* (7) ''Amsumati'' (with many stalks); and
* (8) ''Kandini'' (plants with knotty joints).

The ''Taittiriya Samhita'' and the '' Vajasenayi Samhita'' texts the plant kingdom is classified into:
* ''vrksa'', ''vana'' and ''druma'' (trees),
* ''visakha'' (shrubs with spreading branches),
* ''sasa'' (a herb),
* ''amsumali'' (a spreading or deliquescent plant),
* ''vratati'' (a climber),
* ''stambini'' (a bushy plant),
*''pratanavati'' (a creeper), and
* ''alasala'' (those spreading on the ground).

In the words of Brahma, the '' Manu'' classifies plants as
* (1) ''Osadhi'' – plants bearing abundant flowers and fruits, but withering away after fructification,
* (2) ''Vanaspati'' – plants bearing fruits without evident flowers,
* (3) ''Vrksa'' – trees bearing both flowers and fruits,
* (4) ''Guccha'' – bushy herbs,
* (5) ''Gulma'' – succulent shrubs,
* (6) ''Trna'' – grasses,
* (7) ''Pratana'' – creepers which spread their stems on the ground and
* (8) ''Valli'' – climbers and entwiners.

'' Charaka Samhitā'' and '' Sushruta Samhita'' medicine texts classify plants into ''Vanaspati'', ''Vrksa'' or ''vanaspatya'', ''Virudh'' and ''Osadhi''. This second '' Susruta'' subdivides Virudhs into ''pratanavatya'' (creepers with spreading stem on the grounds) and ''gulminya'' (succulent herbs), whereas the first ''Charaka'' subdivides Virudhs into ''lata'' (creeper), ''gulma'' and ''osadhis'' into annuals or perennials bearing fruits and grasses which go without fruits. These are further divided into 50 groups based on their physiological actions and diseases they cure. Flowering plants are divided into ''sukadhanya'' (cereals), ''samidhanya'' (pulses), ''saka varga'' (pot herbs), ''phala varga'' (fruits), ''harita varga'' (vegetable), ''ahayogi varga'' (oils), and ''iksu varga'' (sugarcane).

The Vaisesikas school of philosophy classify plants under seven heads, e.g. ''Vrksa'', ''Trna'', ''Osadhi'', ''Gulma'', Lata, ''Avatana'' and ''Vanaspati''. Defining the characteristics of the various groups Udayana's Kiranavali, remarks that:
* ''Vrksas'' are plants with trunk, branches, flowers and fruits;
* ''Trnas'' are exemplified by ''ulupa'' like plant;
* ''Osadhis'' are plants like ''kaluma''. which die after fruition;
* ''Gulmas'' are plant like ''bhata'',
* ''Latas'' are represented by ''kusmanda'', a species of Cucurbita;
* ''Avatanas'' are plants like ''ketaki'';i and
* ''Vanaspatis'' are trees which produce fruits without flowers.

Parasara, the author of Vrksayurveda, classifies plants into Dvimatrka (Dicotyledons) and Ekamatrka (Monocotyledons). These are further classified into:
*''Samiganiya'' (Fabaceae) - With hypogynous (puspakrantabijadhara) and five-petalled flowers, with gamosepalous calyx and an androecium of 10 stamens. This family has three subtypes: vakra-puspa, vikarnika-puspa and suka-puspa.
*''Puplikagalniya'' (Rutaceae) - Spine bearing plants with odoriferous leaves and winged petioles, flowers are hypogynous (tundamandala) with free petals and stamens. Family has two subtypes: kesaraka and maluraphala.
*''Svastikaganiya'' ( Cruciferae) – Calyx looks like a svastika. The flower has four sepals, four petals and six stamens, and a superior ovary (tundamandala).
*''Tripuspaganiya'' (Cucurbitaceae) – Epigynous (kumbhamandala), often unisexual plant. The flower has five united sepals and petals and three stamens and a style with three-pointed stigma (trisirsavarata). The ovary is tri-vartaka ( tri-locular).
*''Mallikaganiya'' (Apocynaceae) – Inflorescent, hermaphrodite (samanga) plants, calyx and corolla are united having five stamens, epipetalous (avyoktakesara). The seeds having long fine hairs (tulapucchasamanvita).
*''Kurcapuspaganiya'' ( Compositeae) – Sessile flowers, borne on a common axis, surrounded by a common calyx and look like a brushy head (kurcakara). The ovary is inferior (puspasirsakabijadhara).

Hydrogenated vegetable oil

''Vanaspati'' or ''Banaspati'' is also a South Asian slang for Vanaspati/Banaspati ghee of which " Dalda" is the leading brand in Indian markets. Vanaspati is a fully or partially hydrogenated vegetable cooking oil, often used as a cheaper substitute for ghee and butter. In India, vanaspati ghee is usually made from palm oil. Hydrogenation is performed using a catalyst known as "supported nickel catalyst", in reactors at low-medium pressure (3-10 bar). Vanaspati ghee is very high in trans fats, which may compose up to 50% of Vanaspati.

References

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Cooking oils

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