Abstract

REVIEW OF YASHAD BHASMA

Akshay U. Karandikar* and Kavita Deshmukh

ABSTRACT

In Ayurveda Rasashastra bhaishajya-kalpana subject is very important as it is related to medicine preparation. Rasashastra is a branch of Indian traditional system of medicine which deals with the pharmacology and pharmaceutics of Rasaoushadhis. It involves different processing and therapeutic uses of various metals and minerals found in nature. There are different types of drugs such as herbal mineral and herbo-mineral drugs. In which many classical drugs contain processed metals. The process of Shodhana (Purification) and Marana (Incinerate) converts inorganic metal into the organic one which can be easily bioassemble with human body. Many minerals and metals are essential for growth and development of human body. Yashad (Zinc) is one of useful metal. Yashad bhasma is an effective medicine for variety of diseases as Pandurog, Types of Prameha, Kasa-Shwas, Twacha vikar, Netra vikar, Kampavata etc. many latest researches fortify the same. But bhasma will be effective only if Shodhana and Marana are done according to classical methods. There are different techniques of Yashad ‘bhasma nirman’ mentioned in ancient texts. So it is important to be review which are procedures for the preparation of Yashad bhasma, matra (Dose) and Anupana (Vehicle) as per textual references. In classical text it is mentioned that use of improperly prepared bhasma also leads various symptoms and how that symptoms could be alleviated using different classical remedies given in rasa granthas.

Keywords: Yashad, Jasad, Yashad bhasma, Zinc oxide, Shodhana, Maran.