The Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the two foundational Sanskrit epics of Indian civilization, contain a remarkable corpus of botanical knowledge woven into their narrative. These epics are repositories of cultural memory, philosophical wisdom, ecological consciousness and traditional medical knowledge. Not only are these epics of religious and literary importance, but they are also rich in references to herbs, shrubs, sacred trees and medicinal plants that played an essential part in healing, ritual, war, ascetic life and spiritual transformation. The present study deals with the herbs and shrubs mentioned in these epics in relation to their narrative settings, their Ayurvedic properties, their botanical identities and their symbolic importance. Iconic medicinal plants like Sanjeevani, Vishalyakarani, Sandhanakarani, Soma, Brahmi, Jatamansi, Nagakesara and Triphala are given special consideration. The study shows that these plants are not simply botanical references, but active narrative agents that affect the unfolding of events and represent deeper philosophical ideas, such as healing, immortality, wisdom, sacrifice and ecological harmony. Through a synthesis of literary analysis, ethnobotany, Ayurveda, and environmental humanities, this paper argues that the epics display an advanced ecological worldview that connects nature to dharma, health, and spiritual evolution. The study underscores the continued relevance of epic botanical knowledge in present-day debates on traditional medicine, biodiversity conservation and sustainable living. Combining literary analysis with ethnobotanical and medical perspectives, the paper shows that plants are active agents in the epic imagination and an important dimension of India’s intellectual and ecological heritage.