Abstract

Divya Dwivedi* and Ashutosh Shukla

ABSTRACT

Rasashastra is a branch of Ayurveda pharmaceutics where drugs of varied origin like metals, minerals, marine drugs are employed in therapeutics. There is such a unique category of calcium rich or Sudha Vargiya Bhasma which has enormous collection of different calcium sources. These are mentioned in Rasa text like Rasa Tarangini, Rasamruta etc. Calcium is one of the major constituents of our body formation. It is the most abundant mineral in the human body, out of which 99% deposits occur in bone and teeth, while 1% share of calcium is present in blood and muscles of the body. For the first time all calcium compounds were exclusively categorized in a single group based on their chemical composition as “sudha vijnaneeyam” by rasamritam the text of 20th century. Though introduced by recent authors, sudha varga dravyas (calcium compounds) have gained therapeutic importance in clinical practise. This article attempts to screen Rasashastra classics for references emphasizing the “Therapeutic potentials of sudha varga dravyas vis-à-vis calcium compounds” and related alchemical aspects of these drugs. Sudha vargiya Dravyas describe in Rasa-shastra literature plays an important role in the treatment of GIT disorders. Bhasmas of Sudha vargiya Dravyas have attained importance in prevention and cure of conditions such as AmlaPitta (hyperacidity), Grahani (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Annadrava shula (Gastric ulcer), Parinaam shula (Duodenal ulcer), Atisara (Diarrhoea) etc.