Kharpara, a Forgotten Mineral Drug of Ayurveda: A Review

Abstract

Introduction: Kharpara is an ore of (Yashada) Zinc. In Ayurveda, a description of Kharpara (ore) and Yashada (extracted metal from Kharpara) is also mentioned. Kharpara is a highly-negligible Rasa Dravya (Drug) in Ayurveda these days. Aim & Objective: To find the description and importance of Karpara in Metallurgy and Ayurveda. Also, determine the beginning era of extraction of Yashada from Karpara in ancient India. Data Source: classical text of Rasa Shastra & allied branches and various online and offline research journals on Ayurveda & Metallurgy. Review Method: Word “Karpara” and “Rasaka” are used to search all aspects, such as types of categorizations among Rasa Dravya, classification, pharmacological property, the process of Shodhana (Purification), Marana (Incineration), Satvapattana (Extraction) and Grahyaagrahyatva (Acceptable-non acceptable qualities) of Kharpara is mentioned in Rasa Shastra texts and Ancient Literature. Result and Conclusion: Discovery of Pittala (Brass) brings a revolution in the metal industry because it diminished the use of Kansya (Bronze). Pittala is an alloy of Copper and Zinc. But it is very difficult to answer which one is the real source of Zinc in Brass, either Kharpara or Zinc Metal. Kharpara is an indirect source of three Bhasmas i.e., Yashada, Pittala and Varta (Bronze) Thus, in this review study, every aspect of Kharpara is summarized such as the historic review, types, pharmacodynamic properties, pharmaceutical processing of Karpara Bhasma procedures, dose and formulations of Kharpara from different sources. The age of the beginning of Karpara used by Indians is not traceable.