Abstract
Rasashastra, a branch of Ayurvedic system of medicine, deals with the pharmaceutical procedures of drugs of metallic, mineral and poisonous origin. These drugs are processed by some unique prescribed pharmaceutical techniques including Shodhana (purification process), Jarana (incineration) and Marana (calcination) that renders them fit for internal administration. Some specific groups of drugs of herbal origin viz. Marak gana (group of calcifying herbs), Dugdha varga (group of latex bearing plants), etc. are used for these procedures which primly include medicinal plants.Arka, (Calotropis procera Ait. and Calotropis gigantea L.R.Br.) one of such plant from the semi-poisonous group finds manifold usage in these purification procedures and incineration techniques for many Rasaushadhis. Still, single hand information on the collective information regarding the use of Arka in various processing techniques in Rasashastra is deficient. Hence, a thorough review from available 37 texts related to Rasashastra was made and the necessary supplementary references of nano particles was found out through available resources from internet. After a critical analysis, a total of 133 references were found wherein the usage of Arka has been highlighted in different pharmaceutical processes in texts of Rasashastra. Among them, thirty eight are related to procedures of shodhana and marana of Parada (mercury), nineteen deal with procedures concerned with Maharasa, six and three respectively in case of Uparasa and Sadharana (mineral origin) rasa along with fifty five processing techniques of varied dhatus (metals).Â
Highlights
In Ayurveda, Rasashastra called as Alchemy is a prospective upcoming branch which deals with metals, minerals, animal drugs and poisonous drugs of plant origin
Single hand information on the collective information regarding the use of Arka in various processing techniques in Rasashastra is deficient
A total of 133 references were found wherein the usage of Arka has been highlighted in different pharmaceutical processes in texts of Rasashastra
Summary
In Ayurveda, Rasashastra called as Alchemy is a prospective upcoming branch which deals with metals, minerals, animal drugs and poisonous drugs of plant origin. Main focus being Parada/Rasa (mercury),remaining drugs have been classified into Maha rasa, Uparasa, Sadharana rasa, Dhatu varga and Ratna varga.(1)In Rasashastra, all ingredients are first purified and reduced to their absolute essence in a process called Shodhana, where gems or metals are refined, through a process of alternate heating, cooling, oxidizing and crushing, to a fine pure ash These individual purified ashes are called Bhasmas.(2) This processing is done with the help of triturating metals with different groups of drugs known as mishrak varga which probably assist in purification and gaining the absorbable particle size of metals suitable in human body in form of medicines. The list has been compiled and presented in a systematic manner
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