Standardization of Bindu Ghrita

Abstract

One of the major contributions of Ayurveda is the dosage form called SnehaKalpanawhere ghritaand tailaare processed in such a way that all the phytochemicals from the plant parts are transferred to the lipid media, mostly the ones which are lipid soluble. The process of making SnehaKalpanais divided into two steps; the first is SnehaMurchchhanaand thesecond is Sneha Paka. SnehaMurchchhanais performed to remove doshasfrom the lipid media while Sneha Pakais the preparation of medicated ghritaor taila(Sneha Kalpana).The product obtained after the process of Sneha pakais known as Siddha ghritaor Siddha taila. There are various formulations of Siddha ghritaand Siddha tailagiven in the Ayurveda text. BinduGhritais one of the formulations of ghrita, mentioned in Ayurveda texts like Chakradatta, Sharangadhara Samhita, Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Gadanigrahaand Yoga Ratnakara. The word Bindusuggests its therapeutic use indicating the number of Bindusapplied on the Nabhi( umbilicus ) which is equal to the number of Virechana Vega ( purgations ). Internal use of Bindu Ghritais also suggested in some texts.Bindu Ghritais used to treat Udara rogasmainly in Jalodara(Ascites).Its other indications are as Kushtha,Aadhmana,Mandaagni,Gulmaetc.There have been very few works done on this formulation, and no work on the standardization of Bindu Ghritahas been undertaken till date.This study focuses on the pharmaceutical as well as analytical standardization of Bindu Ghritaas per the reference of Sharangadhara Samhitaand is one of the first studies reported on its standardization.