COMPILATION WORK ON

CONCEPT OF zÉÉåkÉlÉ

SUBMITTED BY

NAME : RINSIYA.P.E

MANNAM AYURVEDA CO-OPERATIVE MEDICAL COLLEGE

PANDALAM, PATHANAMTHITTA

MANNAM AYURVEDA CO-OPERATIVE

MEDICAL COLLEGE

PANDALAM,PATHANAMTHITTA

CERTIFICATE

Certified that this is the bona fide compilation work on

Concept of shodhana done in Rasashastra and

Bhaishajya kalpana during the year 2008-09 by the

candidate Rinsiya.P.E Register Number :

In charge H.O.D Int.Examiner Ext.Examiner

DATE:

INDEX

1. Introduction to UxÉzÉÉx§É : 1

2. Introduction to zÉÉåkÉlÉ : 2

3. zÉÉåkÉlÉ : 3

4. Classical definition : 4 5. Modified definition : 5 6. Objectives : 6 7. Procedures : 7 8. Types : 10 9. Role of Media : 11

10. Changes during zÉÉåkÉlÉ process

1. Physical changes : 12 2. Chemical changes : 12 3. Biological changes : 13

11. Purpose of zÉÉåkÉlÉ : 14

12. Conclusion : 17

13. Bibliography : 18

1

INTRODUCTION TO UxÉzÉÉx§É

UxÉzÉÉx§É is the “Science of Mercury” which mainly deals with

mÉÉUS (Mercury) and this branch of AÉrÉÑuÉåïS also discusses various

aspects of different Metals,Minerals,Precious stones(U¦ÉÉs),Poisons

(ÌuÉwÉÉ s)and Semi poisons(EmÉÌuÉwÉÉs) .

UxÉzÉÉx§É, though it was developed as a separate science in the

beginning, in later period completely merged with AÉrÉÑuÉåïS .It is not

considered as one of the eight main branches(A¹É…¡ûÉs) of AÉrÉÑuÉåïS .

However it has gained so much importance that it has become indispensable part of Ayurvedic treatment.

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INTRODUCTION TO zÉÉåkÉlÉÉ

In UxÉzÉÉx§É various methods are advised to purify each UxÉ.

zÉÉåkÉlÉÉ Literally means purification. Minerals basically are impure,

that is not fit for internal administration. They contain many impurities and toxins, and may cause many untoward effects in the body. In order to neutralize these toxins ,the minerals are subjected to many purificatory measures in which ,many a times physical and chemical impurities are removed at the same time neutralizing the toxins. Also these processes help in potentising the minerals as many

xuÉUxÉ(plant leaf juice), iÉæsÉ(oil), iÉ¢ü(butter milk),aÉÉãqÉÔ§É(cow’s urine),

AÉUlÉÉsÉ(gruel), YuÉÉjÉ(decoction),etc are used as zÉÉåkÉlÉ SìurÉÉs.

Depending upon availability we can select zÉÉåkÉlÉ SìurÉ, they contain

the detoxifying principles and through these purification takes place. They can also increase the potency of the metal or mineral. Since

each metal or mineral has their own or corresponding zÉÉåkÉlÉ SìurÉ,

there are specific zÉÉåkÉlÉ process also.

iÉæsÉå iÉ¢åü aÉuÉÉÇ qÉÔ§Éå ½ÉUlÉÉsÉã MÑüsÉijÉeÉå |

¢üqÉÉͳÉwÉåcÉrÉåiÉç iÉmiÉÇ SìÉuÉã SìÉuÉã iÉÑ xÉmiÉkÉÉ ||

xuÉhÉÉïÌSsÉÉãWûmɧÉÉhÉÉÇ zÉÑήUãwÉ mÉëzÉxrÉiÉå ||

(U.U.xÉ 5/13)

Anyway this type of purification is no way similar to the

purification of chemicals in Modern Chemistry. So a careful study is yet to be done on this topic of purification using different drugs. It may be interesting and inspiring to the researchers in other fields like Chemistry, Toxicology etc.

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zÉÉåkÉlÉ(ŚODHANA)

zÉÉåkÉlÉ Literally means “Purification” or “to purify”. This is done

to make the substance pure for use. Some substances contain some unwanted ingredients or properties which may have some bad effect or unwanted effect on the body.

Each and every metallic substance is subjected to special purification procedures prior to its use as an internal medication. The process of eliminating the impurities or malas of metallic substances

by means of AÍpÉwÉåMü(Sprinkling),AÉcÉÔwÉhÉ(Absorption),

pÉÉuÉlÉ(Levigation),AÉiÉmÉ/AÎalÉ zÉÉãwÉhÉ (Drying), qÉSïlÉ(Titration),

ÌlÉqÉ‹lÉ(Dipping),pÉeÉïlÉ(frying or roasting),aÉÉsÉlÉ(melting

&straining),RûÉsÉlÉ(melting quenching), ÌlÉeÉïsÉÏMüUhÉ (Evaporation of

Water), ÌlÉuÉÉïmÉ(Heating and quenching),mÉËU´ÉÉuÉhÉ(Straining), mÉÉiÉlÉ

(Sublimation), mÉë¤ÉÉsÉlÉ (Washing),mÉ×jÉMüÐMüUhÉ(Separation), xuÉåSlÉ

(Boiling under liquid bath),ÌuÉsÉrÉlÉ (Elutriation) etc is known as zÉÉåkÉlÉ.

Purification (zÉÉåkÉlÉ) is essential for all the metallic substance not

only to eliminate the physical and chemical defects; it is also to enhance the qualities of those particular substances.

सरे्व मलहराः क्षाराः सरे्व चाम्लाः प्रबोधकाः |

वर्वषावि च तमोघ्नावि स्नेहाः मार्दर्वकारकाः ||

(रसेन्द्रचूढामविः 9/43)

4

CLASSICAL DEFINITION

zÉÉåkÉlÉ is a process of separation by which physical and chemical

impurities get separated from the substance by treatment with various drugs

E̬¹æUÉæwÉkÉæÈ xÉÉ®ïÇ Ì¢ürÉiÉå mÉåwÉhÉÉÌSMüqÉç |

qÉsÉÌuÉÎcNû̈ ÉrÉå iɨÉÑ zÉÉãkÉlÉÇ iÉÌSWûÉãcrÉiÉå ||

(UxÉiÉUÌ…¡ûÍhÉ 2/52)

It is a process by which blemishes are separated from the substance by various processing like grinding with specific drugs.

ÌlÉÌSï¹æUÉæwÉkÉæÈ xÉÉ®ïÇ mÉåwÉhÉçÇ xuÉãSlÉÉÌSMüqÉç |

SÒ¹Ç SÉãwÉÌuÉlÉÉzÉÉrÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉÇ mÉËUMüÐÌiÉïiÉqÉç ||

(UxÉÍqɧÉÉ, mÉëjÉqÉ UÎzqÉ mÉ×)

zÉÉåkÉlÉ is a process of removal of impurities from substances by

means of pharmaceutical processing of xuÉåSlÉ, qÉSïlÉ etc with

particular drugs.

5

MODIFIED DEFINITION

zÉÉåkÉlÉ is a process of purification and detoxification by which

physical and chemical blemishes and toxic materials are eliminated and substances are subjected for further processing.

Some kind of changes are also taking place apart from these, which may be beneficial for therapeutic process.

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OBJECTIVES 1. Elimination of physical and chemical impurities, which are not desired. 2. Eradication or minimization of toxicity of the material. 3. Transformation of the hard and non homogenous materials to soft, brittle, ductile and homogenous material. 4. Induction of wanted qualities. 5. Potentiation of therapeutic efficacy of the drug material. 6. Conversion of the material in suitable form for further processing. 7. Leads to unique and suitable physico-chemical changes. 8. For direct therapeutic uses in some cases.

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PROCEDURES

1. AÍpÉwÉåMü (SPRINKLING)

SìÓiÉå uÉÌ»ûÎxjÉiÉå sÉÉãWåû ÌuÉUqrÉɹÌlÉqÉãwÉMüqÉç |

xÉÍsÉsÉxrÉ mÉËU¤ÉåmÉåÈ xÉÉã∫ÍpÉwÉåMü CÌiÉ xqÉÚiÉç: ||

(U.U.xÉ 8/55)

The material is heated strongly and the liquid media is sprinkled over it after 8 seconds without removing from the fire.

Eg: qÉhQÕûU zÉÉåkÉlÉ

2. AÉcÉÔwÉhÉ (ABSORPTION)

The oily content of certain toxic material is minimized through different absorption means

Eg: pÉssÉÉiÉMü zÉÉåkÉlÉ

3. AÉiÉmÉ /AÎalÉ zÉÉãwÉhÉ (DRYING)

The material is kept on fire or exposed to sun rays till its dryness.

Eg: ÍzÉsÉÉeÉiÉÑ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

4. pÉeÉïlÉ (FRYING OR ROASTING)

The material is fried with specific liquid media on qÉlSÉÎalÉ (Mild

heat).

Eg: aÉæËUMü zÉÉåkÉlÉ

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5.pÉÉuÉlÉ(LEVIGATION)

rÉŠÔÍhÉïiÉxrÉ kÉÉiuÉÉSåSìuÉæÈ xÉqmÉåwrÉ zÉÉåwÉhÉqÉç |

pÉÉuÉlÉÇ iÉlqÉiÉÇ ÌuÉgÉæpÉÉïuÉlÉÉ cÉ ÌlÉaɱiÉå ||

(U.iÉ 2/49)

The material is titrated with prescribed liquid media for specific time period.

Eg: ÌWû…¡ÓûsÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

6. RûÉsÉlÉ (MELTING AND QUENCHING)

SìÓiÉSìurÉxrÉ ÌlɤÉåmÉÉã SìuÉå iÉiÉç RûÉsÉlÉÇ qÉiÉqÉç |

At first the material is melted by intense heat and then poured

into a liquid media. Eg: lÉÉaÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

7.aÉÉsÉlÉ(MELTING AND STRAINING)

The solid material is melted first by heating and then filtered through a cloth.

Eg: aÉlkÉMü zÉÉåkÉlÉ

8. qÉSïlÉ (TRITURATION)

EÌSiÉæUÉæwÉkÉæ: xÉÉkÉïÇ xÉuÉÉïqsÉæÈ MüÉÎgeÉMæüUÌmÉ |

mÉåwÉhÉÇ qÉSïlÉÉZrÉÇ xrÉÉSè oÉÌWûqÉïsÉÌuÉlÉÉzÉlÉqÉç ||

The material is ground properly with prescribed drug for

specific period. Eg: mÉÉUS zÉÉåkÉlÉ

9.ÌlÉqÉ‹lÉ(DIPPING)

The material is kept immersed in the prescribed liquid for specific period.

Eg: uÉixÉlÉÉpÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

10. ÌlÉeÉïsÉÏMüUhÉ (EVAPORATION OF WATER)

Whole water content of the material is evaporated by heating.

Eg: xÄTüÌOûMü zÉÉåkÉlÉ

11. ÌlÉuÉÉïmÉ (HEATING AND QUENCHING)

The red hot material is dipped into the prescribed liquid.

Eg: sÉÉãWû zÉÉåkÉlÉ

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12. mÉËU´ÉÉuÉhÉ (STRAINING)

The solid material is dissolved in suitable liquid media and separated from insoluble impurities through straining.

Eg: lÉuÉxÉÉSU zÉÉåkÉlÉ

13. mÉÉiÉlÉ (SUBLIMATION)

E£üÉæwÉkÉæqÉïÌSïiÉmÉÉUSxrÉrÉl§ÉÎxjÉiÉxrÉÉãkuÉïqÉkÉzÉç cÉ ÌiÉrÉïMçü |

ÌlÉrÉÉïiÉlÉÇ mÉÉiÉlÉxÉÇgÉqÉÑ£ÇüuÉ…¡ûÉÌWûxÉqmÉMïüeÉMügcÉÑMüblÉqÉç ||

(U.U.xÉ 8/65)

Through mÉÉiÉlÉrÉl§É the material is heated to convert into vapor

form which the material is regained again by condensing.

Eg: mÉÉUS zÉÉåkÉlÉ

14. mÉë¤ÉÉsÉlÉ (WASHING)

The material is washed with prescribed liquid to remove its physical impurities.

Eg: aÉÉãSÎliÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

15. mÉ×jÉMüÐMüUhÉ (SEPARATION)

Physical impurities are removed .

Eg: aÉÑaaÉÑsÉÑ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

16. xuÉåSlÉ (BOILING UNDER LIQUID BATH)

¤ÉÉUÉqsÉæUÉæwÉkÉæuÉÉï ∫ÌmÉ RûÉãsÉÉrÉl§Éå ÎxjÉiÉxrÉ ÌWû

mÉcÉlÉÇ xuÉåSlÉÉZrÉÇ xrÉÉlqÉsÉzÉæÍjÉsrÉMüÉUMüqÉç

(U.U.xÉ 8/60)

The material is boiled in prescribed media through RûÉåsÉÉrÉl§É

method.Eg: zÉ„¡ûÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

17. ÌuÉsÉrÉlÉ (ELUTRIATION)

The material is firstly dissolved in prescribed liquid media and left as such for sometime.Then the upper part of the liquid containing the soluble drug material is decanted into another pot leaving behind the impurities in the bottom of the first pot.

Eg: ÍzÉsÉÉeÉiÉÑ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

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TYPES

zÉÉåkÉlÉ process is grossly subdivided into two major categories as

follows

1. xÉÉqÉÉlrÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

It is used as a general procedure for zÉÉåkÉlÉ of all drugs of a

particular group.In other words these drugs should be purified

individually through the same zÉÉåkÉlÉ procedure

Eg: xÉÉqÉÉlrÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ of kÉÉiÉÑ

2. ÌuÉzÉåwÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ

It is used as specific procedure for particular drug material

individually not for a group. It should be applied after xÉÉqÉÉlrÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ.

Eg: ÌuÉzÉåwÉ zÉÉåkÉlÉ of sÉÉåWû in ̧ÉÄTüsÉ YuÉÉjÉ

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ROLE OF MEDIA

It is very interesting that specific media is used for zÉÉåkÉlÉ of

particular substances like ̧ÉÄTüsÉ YuÉÉjÉ for zÉÉåkÉlÉ of sÉÉåWû , aÉÉãqÉ賈 for

zÉÉåkÉlÉ of uÉixÉlÉÉpÉ etc. So it should be inferred that media plays an

important role in zÉÉåkÉlÉ process. Sometimes media acts like solvent

to dissolve the material for easy separation from the insoluable

impurities like in aÉÑaaÉÑsÉÑ and lÉuÉxÉÉSU zÉÉåkÉlÉ.In some other cases media

acts to eradicate toxic chemical substances from the drug Native

realgar(qÉlÉÈÍzÉsÉ) is always found mixed with As2O3,which is a highly

toxic substance cÉÔhÉÉåïSMü (lime water)is generally used for qÉlÉÈÍzÉsÉ

zÉÉåkÉlÉ .While arsenic (As2O3) dissolves readily in solutions of alkalies

but realgar(As2S2) is insoluble in alkali solutions. So here cÉÔhÉÉåïSMü acts

to eradicate highly toxic As2O3 from qÉlÉÈÍzÉsÉ . Some materials are

used directly in therapeutics after zÉÉåkÉlÉ, there media may provide

some organic and inorganic principles,which have important role in

the body. Media helps in physical transformation of some metals and

minerals. In ÌlÉuÉÉïmÉ process repeated heating and quenching in liquid

media causes brittleness,breaking and size reduction of the metals and minerals.

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CHANGES DURING zÉÉåkÉlÉ PROCESS

1.PHYSICAL CHANGES a)Elimination of physical impurities

MüÎqmÉssÉMü is separated from brick powder. aÉÑaaÉÑsÉÑ is separated

from physical mixture. ÍzÉsÉÉeÉiÉÑ is separated from insoluble physical

impurities.

b)Reduction in hardness By repeated heating and quenching,hardness of the metal and

mineral become less. c)Increase in brittleness

By repeated heating and quenching in liquid media creaks are seen on the surface of metals and minerals and these become brittle d)reduction in particle size

During ÌlÉuÉÉïmÉ process cracks are seen on the surface of metals

and minerals and these are broken into coarse powder.In pÉÉuÉlÉ

process mass of the substance become powder form.

2.CHEMICAL CHANGES a)Elimination of chemical impurities

During zÉÉåkÉlÉ of native qÉÉͤÉMü (CuFeS2) impurities like arsenic

get eliminated by heating. b)Formation of chemical compounds

sÉÉãWû when heated upto redhot,reacts with atmospheric oxygen

to form ferrosoferric oxide,which is favorable to the body.

qÉÉͤÉMü when fried,Sulphur(S) is eliminated and Iron and Copper

part convert into oxide form.

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c)Change into desired compound.

During zÉÉåkÉlÉ of Oûƒ¡ûhÉ and MüÉÇÍ¤É water portion is evaporated

and desired chemical compound is formed.

3.BIOLOGICAL CHANGES

The ultimate objective of these physic chemical changes of the material is to increase its biological availability means to potentiate its biological efficacy. Reduction in particle size helps in absorption, smoothness leads to non irritability and all chemical changes make

the material body friendly like zÉÉåÍkÉiÉ uÉixÉlÉÉpÉ (Aconitum ferox

purified in cow’s urine) is converted into cardiac stimulant,where as

crude uÉixÉlÉÉpÉ is claimed to be cardiac depressant.Seeds of MÑümÉÏsÉÑ

(Strichnos nuxvomica) purified in cow’s milk show CNS depressant

activity, pentabarbitone hypnosis potentiation,inhibited morphine

induced catalepsy. AgeÉlÉ purified in juice of pÉ×…¡ûUÉeÉ (Eclipta alba) is

proved non-toxic to eyes in experimental animals.

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PURPOSE OF zÉÉåkÉlÉ

zÉÉåkÉlÉ is necessary to explain the exact implications of this

term.Otherwise,there is a possibility that it will be misinterpreted to mean making mercury and other metals only physically and

chemically pure.The term used particularly for zÉÉåkÉlÉ or processing of

mercury is xÉÇxMüÉU. cÉUMü has explained this term as aÉÑhÉÉliÉUÉkÉÉlÉ . By

implication,during the process of xÉÇxMüÉU or zÉÉåkÉlÉ ,the metal or

mineral acquires a different property which overcomes original harmful effects of the metal.

1.To make the metal suitable for qÉÉUhÉ

The term qÉÉUhÉ literally means killing. Metals used as such are

heterogeneous to the body tissues and therefore it will not be possible for them to get assimilated into the cells of the tissue to exercise their prescribed therapeutic effects. It will, therefore be necessary to reduce these metals and minerals including mercury to

a fie state of division with such changes in its qÉWûÉpÉÉæÌiÉMü composition

as would be homologous with qÉWûÉpÉÉæÌiÉMü composition of the cells on

which the metal has to act to produce the therapeutic effect. This fine state of division of the metal has to act to produce the therapeutic effect. This fine state of division of the metal is attained by exposing to the heat of the fire and by repeated trituration or pulverization. Before exposing the metal to these process,it is necessary to make the component particles fragile and dissociable by

15

reducing their cohesive nature.This is exactly one of the objects of

the process of xÉÇxMüÉU or zÉÉåkÉlÉ

2.To remove physical and chemical impurities In nature a metal is seldom available in its physically and

chemically pure form.The contamination is often natural and it takes place in the mine itself. Some of the metals are available in combination with other metals in the mine in the form of metallic ores or compounds. It is first of all necessary to separate the

extraneous object from the metal. These extraneous objects are, at times, added artificially during commercial transactions. Often contamination takes place knowingly or unknowingly during the process of extraction,storage,preservation and distribution. Therefore,all these extraneous materials are to be removed and the metal should be obtained in physically and chemically pure form for obtaining the desired therapeutic effect. 3)To make the metal free from toxicity

Metals even in their physically and chemically pure form might produce adverse effects because these are inorganic in nature and because of their heterogeneous nature for the tissue cells. By impregnating and triturating with organic material like the juice,decoction etc of herbs,they are made homologous to the tissue cells, and thus their toxicity is reduced and acceptability to the cells is increased. During this process,certain organic or inorganic materials are actually added to the metal which according to modern science may be explained as addiction of impurities. 4.Transformation of attributes

Human body is composed of five qÉWûÉpÉÔiÉÉs viz AÉMüÉzÉÈ, uÉÉrÉÑÈ,iÉãeÉxÉç,eÉsÉ

and mÉ×ÎjuÉÈ. In metals and minerals the fifth i.e the mÉ×ÎjuÉÈ qÉWûÉpÉÔiÉÉ is

predominant. In some of these metals like gold, iÉãeÉxÉç qÉWûÉpÉÔiÉÉ is

predominant. Unless the first four qÉWûÉpÉÔiÉÉs viz AÉMüÉzÉÈ, uÉÉrÉÑÈ,iÉãeÉxÉç,eÉsÉ

are made potent, it is not likely that these metals and minerals will

be able to act effectively as therapeutic agents. zÉÉåkÉlÉ helps in the

transformation of these attributes of metals.

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5.Regulation of physico chemical attributes

For SåWû ÍxÉή and sÉÉãWû ÍxÉή , it is necessary that the physico

chemical attributes of mercury should be regulated. Mercury is a liquid metal but it is necessary to convert it into a solid form without adding any metal or without making an amalgam of this metal along with other metals. It is necessary that the mercury should be capable of withstanding high temperature and should not be evaporated at about 3570 centigrade temperature. It is also necessary that the

mercury should be able to digest gold and assimilate it. By implication when gold is added to mercury,the weight of the latter should not increase.This is something which a physicist will think perhaps impossible on the basis of physical laws. But this is exactly the test of mercury(which will be discussed later) before it is even taken out for subsequent processing

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CONCLUSION

Any plant, animal or mineral product whenever to be utilized

for therapeutic purpose internally or externally can not to be used in the form it is found or has to be processed before being used.

All these products have some positive/wanted(useful) and

some unwanted/negative properties. It is necessary that the useful properties should get enhanced to have more better and faster results whereas the unwanted properties should be removed. This

was one of the reasons these products were processed and then used.

These substances were also processed to make them more

subtle in action to give these substances specificity of action etc. Some combined formulations were also prepared to have a cumulative effect of more than one substance towards the desired result.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. AÉrÉÑuÉåïSÏrÉ UxÉzÉÉx§É by K.Nishteshwar

2. A text book of UxÉzÉÉx§É by Dr.Vilas Dole

3. Ayurveda Minerals by P.H.Kulkarni

4. UxÉÉqÉ×iÉqÉç by Dr.Damodar Joshi

5. UxÉU¦É xÉqÉÑŠrÉÇ by Dr.A.D.Satpute

6. UxÉiÉUÌ…¡ûÍhÉ

7. UxÉxÉlMåüiÉ MüÉÍsÉMüÉ by Uttam Vaidya

8. UxÉÍqɧÉÉ

9. Alchemy and Metallic Medicines in Ayurveda by Vaidya Bhagwan Dash

10. AÉrÉÑuÉåïSÏrÉ UxÉzÉÉx§É by Dr.Siddhinandan Mishra

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