Yajña in the lens of modern science: biomedical, ecological, and interdisciplinary insights

Abstract

The Indian Vedic practice of yajña involves the combustion of a mixture of medicinal herbs (samagri) accompanied by Vedic chanting. Traditionally revered for its psychological and environmental benefits, yajña has increasingly gained scientific interest for its potential biomedical and ecological impacts. This study presents a comprehensive and critical review of modern scientific literature exploring the environmental cleansing effects and antimicrobial properties of yajña fumes and by-products. Recent findings suggest that yajña fumes contain bioactive compounds which include phenols, terpenoids, and flavonoids, produced during the controlled combustion of pharmacologically significant herbs such as Cinnamomum camphora, Syzygium aromaticum, Santalum album, Sesamum indicum, Commiphora wightii, etc. These compounds have been shown to reduce airborne pathogens, selectively eliminating harmful bacteria while allowing beneficial strains such as the Bacillus genus to persist. The volatile organic compounds released during yajña are further noted for their natural abilities to purify air, degrade pollutants, and enhance soil microbial activity through nutrient-rich ashes. Despite a growing number of individual studies pointing to yajña’s effects on air quality and ecosystem health, there remains a lack of consolidated, holistic research using standardised scientific methodologies. This paper addresses these gaps, synthesises available evidence across disciplines, and proposes a framework for future research to better understand how yajña could be integrated into modern eco-health and sustainable environmental practices.

Keywords

• Cinnamomum camphora
• Santalum album
• Antimicrobial
• Natural
• Folk medicine
• Quality