
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH [ISSN No.: 2584-2757]
Copyright @ : - Vd.Kishor Bodhakar Inter. J.Digno. and Research IJDRMSID00075 |ISSN :2584-2757
Introduction :
Detailed knowledge of metals and minerals has
been explained in Rasashastra which is a branch of
Ayurveda. The herbal medicines have their
limitations due to requirement of higher dosage,
non-palatability and less shelf-life. To overcome
this, Rasaushadhis like Bhasmas are the best
alternatives. Bhasmas prepared from the natural
minerals/metals along with herbs by the process
of Bhasmikarana in which toxic compounds are
converted into non-toxic and bio-acceptable
form.
[1,2]
Though bhasma are superior than herbal
products, improperly prepared bhasmas can
produce adverse effects on the body & potentially
severe, toxic. e.g. heavy metal poisoning and
sometimes may lead to death. In
mineral/metal based drugs, the use of plant extracts
illuminate the toxic effects of minerals/metals.
[3,4]
Preparation of particular bhasma from a single
metal/mineral has been shown with different routes
to enhance their therapeutic utility and ultimately
medicinal values
[5]
. The preparation of abhraka
bhasma includes shodhana (purification
of abhraka), dhanyabhraka nirmana (insertion
of abhraka in sour gruel with rice
husk), marana (incineration). Shodhan
(purification) with different media like cow milk,
decoction of Triphala kwath (Amalaki, Haritaki,
Bibhitaki fruits), cow urine and Kanji (rice husk)
are frequently used as medium
[6]
. Among them
Nirvapa process (heating and immediately
quenching in liquid medium) for seven times is the
process for Shodhan of Abhraka
[7]
. Marana means
trituration of metal/mineral with Kalami sora &
Guda or other liquid media for several hours &
then repeated incineration at high temperature in a
Puta system
[8]
. Bhasmas can be obtained in
different forms, colors and with different
physiochemical properties by changing the method
of preparation
[9]
. These properties can be tested by
variety of classical Ayurvedic tests
[10]
to ensure
quality of bhasmas such as fineness (sukshmatva),
lusterlessness (nishchandratva), ability to float on
water (varitaratva) etc.
[11]
However, in ancient
times no proper instrumentation facilities were
available for such standardization. By modern
analytical techniques we can now focus light on the
hidden properties and composition of these
compounds which are prepared using ancient
knowledge. In all these processes, the impurities in
the Abhraka removed & reducing the toxicity with
increased medicinal value. Thus, the Abhraka
bhasma nirmana process at each step is needed to
be checked.
Material & Methods:
Abhraka Bhasma Nirmana includes
A. Shodhana of Abhraka,
B. Dhanyabhraka Nirmana,
C. Marana of Abhraka
A) Shodhana of Abhraka
Reference- Rasaratnasamucchaya 2/16-17
Equipment-Steel vessel, Bhatti, metal tongs, cloth,
measuring jar, weighing machine, iron pan etc.
Ingredients -
1) Ashuddha Abhraka - 2.5 kilogram
2) Triphala Kwatha - as required (5.5 litre)
Procedure – Required amount of Triphala Kwatha
was taken in a steel vessel. Raw Abhraka chips
were kept in Bhatti till they became red hot. The
Abhraka chips were turned up and down with metal