Swarna Makshika Bhasma preparation using an alternative heating method to traditional Varaha Puta

Background: Metals, minerals and gemstones are used to prepare drugs in combination with variousherbal materials in ayurvedic treatments. During the process of preparation, metals, minerals or gemstones are converted into special form known as bhasma by series of pharmaceutical processes; shodhana, bhavana and marana. Puta is the amount of heat required to produce specific bhasma in a cycle oftreatment in the process of marana. Traditionally, heat is produced by burning cow dung cakes and theamount of heat to be provided is described in terms of cow dung cakes (fuel) burnt.Objective: The present study was aimed to obtain the temperature profile of the traditional Varaha Putaand to establish a complementary temperature profile in a muffle furnace.Materials and methods: The temperature profile of Varaha puta was determined using dried cow dungcakes (which were prepared using cow dung and paddy husk) with an average calorific value of 15.44 MJ/kg as the fuel. Then temperature profile of traditional Varaha Puta was mapped with an electric mufflefurnace and Swarna Makshika (Chalcopyrite) bhasma was prepared using both traditional method and inelectric muffle furnace.Results: Bhasma prepared using both Varaha Puta and muffle furnace have shown similar propertiesaccording to classical tests of Ayurveda and laboratory techniques.Conclusion: The results show the possibility of using a muffle furnace to prepare Swarna Makshikabhasma instead of using traditional Varaha Puta

Preparation And Physicochemical Characterisation Of Swarna Makshika Bhasma

Mineral drugs play an important role in Ayurvedic therapeutics. Makshika, Copper pyrite is considered as Maharasa in Rasasastra. It is described as one among best Rasayanas in classical literatures. This study is an attempt to standardize the process of preparation of Swarna Makshika bhasma. The process commences with selection of raw material, which is the prime and crucial step ahead. Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia of India standards and classical methods were used for the same. Swarna Makshika bhasma was prepared as per the reference from Ayurveda Prakasha (Shodhana) and Rasaratna Samucchayam (Marana). Shodhana (purification) was done by open heating in an iron pan by adding Saindhava (rock salt) and lemon juice. Five Varaha puta with 6000C quantum of heat was opted for Marana. The process was performed using an Electric Muffle furnace. During each step classical methods for analyzing the product (Bhasma) was done which ensured the proper Bhasmeekarana. Swarna Makshika bhasma was then subjected to X-ray Diffraction study which reveals the presence of both haematite (58%) and magnetite (40%) in it and the structural representation of them in Bhasma was also noted. XRF study conducted found that the Bhasma posses 75.54% Iron and rest of the elements within its permissible limits which ultimately unwrap its safety. Scanning Electron Microscope study gave the particle size of Bhasma to be 2microns (50000 X magnification. The particle size recorded can be considered as the desired specification of the final Bhasma.