Abstract

Dr. Ashish Kumar Jaisawal* and Dr. Pramod Kumar

ABSTRACT

Rasashastra can be defined as a science of study of minerals and metallic substances with respect to their therapeutic utility including processing of these substances to prepare a drug. It deals with the various pharmaceutical processes of Shodhan, Marana, Jarana, Murchana and other detailed descriptions of metals, minerals, poisonous drugs and animal products used therapeutically. Shodhana and Marana of the substance are done with some special processes and thereafter can be used therapeutically. Many types of drug preparatory method like Bhasma, Pishti, Parpati, Pottali, Kupipakva rasayana etc. are explained in Rasashastra. In simple line we can define Shodhana means purification and converting drug fit for further process as like Bhasmikarana (Incineration) and Maran can be defined as to make shodhit drugs in Bhasma form. Shodhit drugs can be administered directly or may be subjected to another process to enhance their potency like Maran, Amrutikaran, Satvapatan etc. These methods not only remove impurities of the raw drugs but also add some shodhit drugs properties also.