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Review Article
Properties of traditional ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation bhasma
Acharya , P., Ranjan , R., Kirar , P., Srivastva , S. and Singh , P.
*
Samhita Siddhant Deptt. Govt.Ayurvedic College, Rewa M.P.
Samhita Siddhanta Deptt. Sri Sai Ayurvedic Medical College, Aligarh U.P.
Rog Nidan & Vikriti Vigyan Deptt. Sri Sai Ayurvedic Medical college, Aligarh U.P.
Ayurvedic Medical Officer, C.H., Aligarh, U.P.
*Corresponding Author:
Dr. Pravanjan Acharya
[email protected]
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
ABSTRACT
In the Ayurvedic description, several metallic preparations are in clinical use since 12th century AD. They have specific
methods for their detoxification and utilization in the form of bhasma which becomes suitable for clinical use in therapeutic doses.
The uses of metal in ayurveda practicing from ancient time. There is strong faith in the fact that metal are very essential for
maintaining physiological function of body. These metals can be administered as bhasma in nanonized form with other minerals
and herbs. As per traditional ayurveda text bhasma are suggested to uses in various diseases like: heart problem, skin disease, as
aphrodisiac agent and as rejuvenating agent. Recent research also established bhasma as potent antioxidant agent. The preparation
and intake of bhasma is need to be special emphasize since overdose or excess quantity of any metal may cause lethal effect, thus
they should prescribed with in therapeutic dose and prepared as per traditional authenticated text of ayurveda. Therefore this
article involve a detailed discussion on various bhasma used for the treatment of different abnormal physiology of human body.
Key Words: Herbo-mineral formulations, bhasma, marana, shodhana.
INTRODUCTION
In Ayurvedic system of medicine, there are three major
classes of drugs belonging to plant, animal and mineral origin.
Herbo-mineral formulations of ayurveda, constituting bhasma as
an ingredient, are the superior forms of administration of nanomedicine. Rasashastra is a branch of Ayurveda known as the
Ayurvedic metallurgy. These formulations take on different
valence states and have different crystal structure and physical
properties. It involves preparations of bhasma which prepared by
process of Sodhana, Bhavana and Marana. Bhasmas are tiny
enough, having nano size, to work into blood circulation
imparting pharmacological efficacy to the Bhasma. Reduction in
particle size facilitates absorption and assimilation of the Bhasma
in the system (Sarkar and Chaudhary, 2010). Recent studies have
claimed that the herbo-mineral formulations of Ayurveda
constituting Bhasmas to be equivalent and in tune with
nanotechnology (Virupaksha et al., 2011). The present study
proved this. This physico-chemical characterization study will
help in a reappraisal of Bhasma preparations (preparations,
where herbs, minerals and metals are incinerated to ash under
supervised conditions) as novel nano-technological applications
giving a new thrust to Ayurvedic pharmaceutics. Utilization of
metals and minerals of aquatic and soil Origin in ayurveda is the
basis of bhasma. These metals and minerals after several process
of purification and calcination forms nanosized fine powders as
bhasma. Bhasmas are also referred as herbo-metallic
preparations as they contain both metallic and herbal ingredients
(Reddy, 2010).
Swarna makshika
Swarna makshika is a mineral having various
therapeutic uses, has been used since long in Ayurveda. Swarna
makshika used for the treatment of anemia, insomnia,
convulsions, and for skin diseases (Sharma, 2004). It is also used
as a single constituent formulation or in multi-ingredient
formulation. Swarna makshika contains iron (Fe), Copper (Cu)
and sulfur.
Preparation:
It is prepared in two steps-
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I) Shodhana: Involves different techniques like fomentation,
heating and quenching and roasting.
II) Marana: Application of puta system of heating in different
types of putas, like varahaputa, kukkutaputa, gajaputa, it also
involves utilization of lemon juice, kulottha decoction, eranda
taila, snuhi ksheera (Chaudhary et al., 1998).
Firstly Swarna makshika powdered in an iron mortar
with an iron pestle. Then this powdered material poured into the
heated iron pan and subjected to intense heat with frequent
addition of lemon juice till it turned red. The process was
completed in few days. For the Marana of Swarna makshika
shuddha gandhaka and lemon juice used. Equal amounts of
shuddha Swarna makshika and shuddha gandhaka triturated with
lemon juice till a homogenous paste was formed. After
triturating, small pellets of uniform size and thickness prepared
and dried in sunlight. Pellets kept inside an earthen disc and
another disc was inverted over it. The joint between the two discs
was sealed with a rag and mud a ribbon of fine cloth uniformly
smeared with fuller's earth and dried in sunlight.
The properly sealed and dried samputa subjected to puta
system of heating with cow dung cake. The process repeated
using shuddha gandhaka in equal proportion to Swarna makshika
for the first cycle and then in half the proportion for subsequent 8
cycles. Bhasma of the desired quality was obtained in 9 putas
(Mohapatra and Jha, 2007).
Tamra Bhasma
It’s used for its rejuvenating and antioxidant property, it
also having beneficial effect as aphrodiasic agent. It known to
have properties of maintaining body circulation and tonicity.
Preparation of Tamra bhasma
Tamra bhasma prepared into 2 parts, purification of raw
copper and bhasma preparation. For purification, copper turnings
repeatedly heated to red hot condition and immediately quenched
in different cold solvents in a sequence of Sessamum oil, butter
milk, cow urine, sour gruel, decoction of Dolichos biflorus and
juice of Oxalis orniculatum. This process repeated for 5 times in
each solvent. For the bhasma preparation, equal quantity of
purified copper, purified sulphur and purified mercury (Shodhit
parad) were mixed. In the beginning, mercury and copper
titrated with lemon juice to make the amalgam. Then equal
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quantity of sulphur added to it and again titrated till black fine
powder formed. This powder heated in a glass bottle wrapped
with seven layers of mud smeared cotton cloth by gradual rise in
temperature in a thermostatic controlled muffle furnace. Next
day bhasma collected from the bottom of the bottle and fine
powder obtained and sieved (W.H.O., 1996).
Fig. 2. Tamra Bhasma
Abhraka Bhasma
Abhraka Bhasma, a herbo-mineral product of Ayurveda
acts as an tremendous antimicrobial agents. It acts as a
synergistic agent, restoring the libido of men. Being a lifepromoting drug, it helps in procreation and synthesizes the
sperms. It has a property of oleation. Abhraka Bhasma is called
as a wonder drug due to its curative property in various ailments.
Abhraka Bhasma is the Bhasma of the mineral, mica. It consist
Fe as a major element and Ca, K and Si in low concentrations. Its
synthesis involves repeated calcinations which transforms the
metallic state into corresponding oxide form. Calcination
involves repeated dasa puta (10 cycles), satha puta (100 cycles)
and sahastra puta (1000 cycles), etc. This prompt calcinations
provides fine scale particle sizes oof final product. Abhraka
Bhasma is widely used for the treatment of hepatic dysfunction,
leukemia, sex debility, azoospermia, cystic fibrosis, post
encephalic dysfunction and cervical dysplasia (Mookerji, 2001).
Fig. 3. Abhraka Bhasma
Lauha Bhasma
Lauha bhasma, an iron-based herbo-metallic
preparation, is an Ayurvedic medicine prescribed for the
treatment of anemia due to iron deficiency. It consisting of
Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 the preparation of Lauha bhasma involves a
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rigorous procedure meant to convert the metal in to a fine, nontoxic and bio-available form.
Preparation:
The first stage in the preparation of Lauha bhasma
involves a normal purification step by subjecting the raw
material (iron) to heat treatments in various plant extracts and
dairy products. This is followed by treating the purified material
with herbal ingredients, in a special purification process, meant
to detoxify the metal and incorporate specific therapeutic
properties. Subsequently, calcination is performed to transform
the material into the form of a fine powder that facilitates easy
absorption (Anonymous, 2003).
Fig. . Lauha Bhasma
Hiraka Bhasma
Hiraka bhasma synthesized from natural diamond is an
important drug. It is an excellent remedy for heart troubles, heart
pains, contraction of veins and blood clotting. It is also a
powerful tonic and antitumor agent. It’s a carbon based drug.
General Properties of Hiraka Bhasma
Reddish in colour, partly soluble in water and sparingly
soluble in organic solvents like chloroform and methanol. Its
contains Carbon, Oxygen, Sodium, Magnesium, Aluminum,
Silicon, Phosphorus, Sulfur Potassium, Calcium, Chromium and
Iron.
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Preparation:
Hiraka powder is heated in an iron ladle for a large
number (approx. 108) of times. In this process diamond reacts
with iron that after it triturated with plant juices (rose or aloe
vera) and subjected to calcinations (Indian Meteria Medica K. M.
Nadkarni, 1982).
REFERENCES
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