DETAILED ANALYTICAL REPORT (Standard manufacturing procedure of Rajata Bhasma)

 



(1) DETAILED ANALYTICAL REPORT (Standard manufacturing procedure of Rajata Bhasma) Standard manufacturing procedure of Rajata Bhasma - PMC

1. Background & Context

Rajata Bhasma is a classical Ayurvedic metallic formulation derived from silver, prepared through specialized pharmaceutical processes described under Rasa Shastra. Traditionally, metals are detoxified and transformed into bio-acceptable forms using Shodhana (purification) and Marana (incineration/compounding) techniques.

With increasing global demand for Ayurvedic medicines, concerns regarding quality deterioration due to commercialization have necessitated the development of Standard Manufacturing Procedures (SMPs) to ensure safety, reproducibility, and therapeutic efficacy .


2. Objectives of the Study

  • To study the effect of Shodhana on raw Rajata (silver)

  • To develop and document a Standard Manufacturing Procedure (SMP) for Rajata Bhasma suitable for modern pharmaceutical practice


3. Materials & Authentication

  • Raw material: 99.9% pure Rajata sourced from Varanasi

  • Purity confirmation: SEM–EDX analysis (reported as 100% purity)

  • Auxiliary materials: Mercury (Parada), Sulphur (Gandhaka), Hingula, Aloe vera pulp (Gritakumari), various organic and acidic media for Shodhana


4. Shodhana (Purification) Process

4.1 Samanya Shodhana

  • Method: Nirvapa (heating to red-hot and quenching)

  • Media used (each 3 times):

    • Kanji

    • Takra

    • Kulattha Kwatha

    • Gomutra

    • Tila Taila

  • Observations:

    • Sound and vapor release on quenching

    • Surface dullness and carbon deposition

    • Gradual softening of silver

Weight change:

  • Initial: 245 g

  • Final: 222.7 g

4.2 Vishesha Shodhana

  • Medium: Nimbu Swarasa (lemon juice), 7 Nirvapa cycles

  • Outcome:

    • Increased whiteness and softness

    • Minor weight gain due to elemental infusion


5. Marana (Incineration / Compounding)

5.1 Kajjali Preparation

  • Rajata amalgamated with mercury

  • Sulphur added and triturated to form Kajjali

  • Aloe vera juice used for Bhavana

  • Result: Fine black, lustrous powder with reduced particle size


6. Kupipakwa Process

  • Conducted in Electric Muffle Furnace (EMF)

  • Controlled temperature stages: Mridu → Madhya → Teevra Agni

  • Key phenomena:

    • Sulphur fumes

    • Flame emission

    • Sublimation of mercuric sulphide at bottle neck

  • Products:

    • Rajata Sindura (sublimate)

    • Partially prepared Rajata Bhasma (residue)


7. Putapaka (Final Incineration)

7.1 EMF-based Puta

  • Controlled heating up to ~350 °C

  • 5 Putas required

  • Resultant Bhasma: dark black, soft, fine

7.2 Conventional Puta

  • Cow-dung cake heating (Laghu Puta)

  • Higher variability in temperature

  • Less reproducibility compared to EMF


8. Bhasma Pariksha (Classical Quality Tests)

  • Rekhapoorana: passes

  • Varitara: ~80% particles float

  • Nishchandra: no metallic luster

  • Mradutva: soft texture

  • Gatrasatva: tasteless


9. Scientific Interpretation

  • Repeated Nirvapa introduces trace elements (Sn, Mg, Ca, Fe, Hg, etc.) into silver lattice

  • Mercury acts as a catalyst, increasing surface area and accelerating compound formation

  • Weight gain during Marana attributed to chemical compound formation with Hingula and herbal media

  • EMF ensures thermal precision and batch reproducibility


10. Conclusions

  • Mercury–sulphur system is optimal for Rajata Bhasma preparation

  • Kupipakwa + Putapaka is efficient and economical

  • Electric Muffle Furnace is superior to conventional Puta

  • Minimum 4–5 Putas required for quality Bhasma


(2) EXTRACTED KEY POINTS

  • Rajata Bhasma preparation requires Shodhana + Marana

  • Nirvapa causes atomic loosening and elemental infusion

  • Mercury enhances particle size reduction and reaction kinetics

  • Kupipakwa yields Rajata Sindura as by-product

  • EMF offers better temperature control and reproducibility

  • Classical Bhasma tests confirm proper transformation

  • SMP is essential for global standardization of Ayurveda


(3) PRECISE SUMMARY

The document presents a scientifically structured Standard Manufacturing Procedure for Rajata Bhasma, integrating classical Ayurvedic principles with modern instrumentation. Through systematic Shodhana, controlled Kupipakwa, and optimized Putapaka—especially using an Electric Muffle Furnace—the study demonstrates improved quality, safety, and reproducibility of silver Bhasma. Mercury and sulphur emerge as critical agents facilitating efficient metal transformation, while analytical observations support elemental infusion and compound formation. The work strongly supports standardization as essential for the global acceptance of Ayurvedic metallic formulations .



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