S.K.

Patel College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research,

GanpatUniversity, Ganpat vidhyanagar, Kherva
 What Is AYURVEDA….??

āyus meaning "life" 
veda, system of "knowledge". 
AYURVEDA = "knowledge of life". 
According to Charaka, 
"life" itself is defined as the 
"combination of the body, 
sense organs, mind and soul, 
the factor responsible for 
preventing decay and death, 
which sustains the body over tim
 HISTORY

Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest

healing science. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science
of Life.” Ayurvedic knowledge originated in
India more than 5,000 years ago and is often called the
“Mother of All Healing.” It stems from the ancient Vedic
culture and was taught for many thousands of years in an
oral tradition from accomplished masters to their
disciples. Some of this knowledge was set to print a few
thousand years ago, but much of it is inaccessible. The
principles of many of the natural healing systems now
familiar in the West have their roots in Ayurveda,
including Homeopathy and Polarity Therapy.
 Ayurveda as a Complementary System of Healing

The basic difference between Ayurveda and Western allopathic

medicine is important to understand. Western allopathic medicine
currently tends to focus on symptomatology and disease, and
primarily uses drugs and surgery to rid the body of pathogens or
diseased tissue. Many lives have been saved by this approach. In
fact, surgery is encompassed by Ayurveda. However,
drugs, because of their toxicity, often weaken the body.
Ayurveda does not focus on disease. Rather, Ayurveda
maintains that all life must be supported by energy in
balance. When there is minimal stress and the flow of
energy within a person is balanced, the body’s natural
defense systems will be strong and can more easily defend against
disease.
          Ayurveda imparts the knowledge with regard to 
what substances, properties and actions are promotive of 
life and what are not so. Here in Ayurveda, it is laid down 
the good and the bad of life, and what is wholesome and 
what is unwholesome in relation to life, as also the measure 
of life. 

      Thus the subject matter of Ayurveda is not only a physical 
body but the mind, spirit and body –the tripod –the Man; he is 
the conscious agent and regarded as the subject matter of this 
science. 
üAyurveda gives us the formulas for living a long life filled 
with joy. Ayurveda is not limited to the physical body but also 
deals with the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of life.
       Ayurveda is a simple, practical science 
of life, existing since more than 5000 years, 
which is originated in India and having a 
great role in health care in South Asia and 
now a days world wide
üAyurveda is a system of Holistic Health or 
Holistic Healing, speaks to every aspect, 
element and facet of life.
üAyurveda is ‘Arsha­sashtra’, means 
science laid down by Rishis, who had 
visualized the things. 
The science of Ayurveda is based not on 
constantly changing research data but on the 
eternal wisdom of the Rishis and Gurus
üAyurveda offers guidance that has been 
tested, refined and nourished over many 
centuries to all those who seek greater 
harmony, peace and longevity.
üAyurveda is a basically;
      ­Health promotive–Preventive ­Curative
     ­ Rejuvenative­Nutritive –All self 
üThe term Ayurveda comes from 
Sanskrit language and derived from 
two words;
üAyuand Veda
üAyumeans daily life or life span.
üVeda means knowledge or science.
üThus, we can comprise that 
Ayurveda means Science or 
Knowledge of life.
Ayurveda is not only the science of 
diseases, but it also deals with 
Life. The definition of Life is –“The 
flow of consciousness”. Life is 
known as ‘The union of the mind, 
body and spirit’. The science of life 
is that which makes life 
understood.
Aim & Objects of Ayurveda 
üTo promote & maintain total well being 
of an individual.
ü
üTo cure the disease at their root level..
The two principle objectives of Ayurveda are: 
1.)To prolong life and promote perfect health
2.)To completely eradicate the disease and 
dysfunction of       the body.

      Ayurveda takes the individual as whole and 
seeks to re­establish harmony between all the 
constituents in the body. Perfect balance of the 
tripod –Mind, body and Spirit means perfect 
health.
 ü •What is Health?
üAccording to Ayurveda , Health is not just merely 
absence of disease.
üHealth is a state where Dosha, Dhatu, Malaand Agni 
these all are in a balanced condition and mind, soul and 
senses are in a state of inner peace and contentment.
Swastha(Health) means to be ‘established in the self’. The Ayurvedic view 
of healthy person is :
“Samadosha,samagnischa,Samadhatumalkriyah, 
Prasannatmendriyamanah,Swasthaitiabhidhiya
t” 
(SushrutSamhita, Sutrasthan, Ch. 15, Shloka10)

     “He whose doshas are in balance, appetite is good, 
all tissues of the body and all natural urges are 
The theory of the three Doshas 
The Tridoshatheory :­­  
                         Tri means three and Dosha means 
functional energy. Balance of three doshas are 
central concept of this science.

They are Three Type ;

         Vata, Pitta&  Kapha
Functions of Tri-dosha
VATA PITTA KPHA
(Air + Space) (Fire & Water) (Water + arth)
Movement Body Heat Stability
Breathing Temperature Energy
Natural Urges Digestion Lubrication
Transformation of Tissues Perception Unctuousness
Motor functions Understanding Forgiveness
Sensory functions HungerGreed
Ungroundness Thirst Attachment
Secretions Intelligence Accumulation
Excretions Anger Holding
Fear Hate Possessiveness
Emptiness Jealousy
Anxiety
ü
ü
üThese three doshas or bio­energies 
combine in each person , in proportions that 
vary from person to person .
ü
üEach of these doshas are further 
subdivided into five sub­doshas. This 
precision makes it possible to reach at the 
exact causative organism.
ü
üIt is most important to understand that 
these three doshas, Agni, Aama etc.­can not 
Characteristics of three 
Doshas 
Vata 
Qualities :

üLight  üRough 
üCold  üDry 
üSubtle 
üMobile
üPenetrative
Functions Of Vata:

üRespiration  üMind 
üSwallowing       conduction
 Elimination      üSpeech
Movement  üDigestion
Absorption üSensory organs 
functions
üAll dhatu 
formation etc.
 PITTA
Qualities  ü
:  üFluid –
Flowing
üHot  üSharp
üBitter  üOily
Functions Of Pitta:
üSour  üPenetrative
ü
•Comprehension 
üDigestion 
•Appreciation 
üAbsorption    
•Recognition 
Assimilation 
•Evaluation 
üVision 
•Discrimination 
üHunger , Thirst
•Intelligence
üSoftness, luster, 
•Courage
complexion of the 
•Cheerfulness etc.
 KAPHA 
Qualities 
: üMoist 
üSlow
üHeavy  üSweet
üCold üWhite in color
üSmooth 
Functions Of Kapha:
üSoft
ü
ü
üCreation  üStamina 
üNutrition  üCalmness 
üStrength  üImmunity 
SSIFICATION OF HERBAL SOLID DOSAGE FORM
 BHASMA
Bhasma in Ayurveda has been defined as a substance obtained by
calcinations
Use of both bhasma (Residue after incineration – calcined
preparation) as well as in pishti (powdered gem or metal) form along
with appropriate herbs for treatment of critical ailments is a
medicinal preparation in Ayurveda and to some extent Unani (both
Indian branches of medical science) using natural curative methods.
The procedures for preparing these medicines are time-consuming and
complicated.
Bhasma is a calcined preparation in which the Gem or
Metal is converted into Ash. Gems or metals are purified to remove
impurities and treated by Triturating and macerating in herbal
extracts. The dough so obtained is calcinated to obtain the ashes.
Contents Of Bhasma
•Vibhuti
•Bhasmikaran

•Steps Of bhasmikaran

•Nots.
Vibhuti
In certain circumstances Bhasma and 'Vibhuti’ (Sanskrit) are
synonymous.

Bhasmikaran
Bhasmikaran is a process by which a substance which is otherwise
bioincompatible is made biocompitble by certain samskarsh or processes
(Puranik and Dhamankar , 1964e). The objectives of samskara are :- a )
elimination of harmful matters from the drug b ) modification of
undesirable physical properties of the drug c ) conversion of some of
the characteristics of the drug d ) enhancement of the therapeutic
action(Puranik and Dhamankar, 1964e). Various steps involved in the
preparation of BHASMA(or bhasmikaran) are:- 1 ) Shodhan -Purification,
2 ) Maran - Powdering, 3 ) Chalan- Stirring, 4 ) Dhavan - Washing, 5 )
Galan- Filtering, 6 ) Putan- Heating, 7 ) Mardan- Triturating, 8 )
Bhavan- Coating with herbal extract, 9 ) Amrutikaran - Detoxification
and 10 ) Sandharan- Preservation (Puranik and Dhamankar, 1964e).
Selection of these steps depends on the specific metal. Sometimes
there is an overlapping of the steps e.g. maran is achieved by
puttan. Since the present thesis work is on bhasma, Bhasmikaran
process is elaborated in details in the following paragraphs.
Steps of bhasmikaran
1 . Shodhan: The principle objective of shodhan is to
remove unwanted part from the raw material and separate
out impurities( Vaiday and Dole 1996b). Metals obtained
from ores may contain several impurities, which are
removed by subjecting them to Shodhan process. In context
of bhasma, shodhan means purifying and making the product
suitable for the next step i.e. Maran. Ayurveda classifies
shodhan into a) General process and b) Specific process.

a.General process for shodhan:

“The sheets of metals are heated till red hot and are
successively dipped into liquids like oil, buttermilk,
cow’s urine etc. The procedure is repeated seven times”.
b. Specific process for shodhan: For some metals a
specific process is described for shodhan e.g. for
purification of Jasad, the molten mass is poured in cow’s
milk 21 times (Shastri K,1979b).
2 . Maran  : Maran literally means killing. As the name suggests
in maran process, a change is brought about in the chemical form or
state of the metal. This makes it to lose its metallic
characteristics and physical nature. In short, after maran, metal
can be converted into powder or other form suitable for
administration. To convert various metals into a form appropriate
for human consumption, several techniques have been employed which
ultimately gave birth to concept: “Bhasma prepared by using Rasa
i.e. mercury is the best, whereas the one prepared using herbs are
of better quality and those prepared using Gandhak (sulfur) are of
inferior quality. Thus there are 3 methods given for maran. It is
carried out by heating the metal in presence of 1) mercury 2)
plants and 3 ) sulfur.
3 . Chalan : Process of stirring during heating the metal is
chalan. Stirring is carried out either with iron rod or stick made
from a specific plant. As we know today, iron serves as catalyst in
many chemical reactions. The phytoconstituents of plant stick may
be enhancing the therapeutic effect. For example, stick of Neem is
used for chalan process of Jasad bhasma, which is used topically
for ophthalmic diseases. We can interpret the significance of this
process now. Neem is an antiseptic (Puranik and Dhamankar, 1964h).
Zinc is antiseptic , astringent and has ulcer healing property
(Block et al., 1982b). These effects of both the constituents may
impart the final product better therapeutic activity.
4 . Dhavan : In this process, several water washes are given to the
product obtained in the previous stage. Perhaps this is to remove the
excess amounts of agents used in shodhan or maran stage. Such agents
may adversely affect the quality of final product. Hence intermediates
are washed with water, thereby water soluble constituents are removed
(Puranik and Dhamankar , 1964h).

5 . Galan : The product is then sifted either through a fine cloth or

through sieves of suitable mesh so as to separate residual material
larger in size (Puranik and Dhamankar, 1964h).

6 . Puttan : The term puttan means ignition. The general term used
for heating in the process of Bhasmikaran is Puta. A special earthen
pot, Sharav is generally used for the process. It has two parts, each
having a shape of soccer. Sharav is used for direct heating of the
material. Its shallowness is useful in heating the material faster and
uniformly. After keeping the material on the shallow surface, other
part is used as a lid, by placing it in an inverted position. This
Puttan process can be looked upon as the key step in manufacturing of
bhasma. The classification of putta is primarily done on the basic
nature of the process and is as under :- (Puranik and Dhamankar, 1964f)
1)Chandraputta 2) Dhanyarashiputta 3) Suryaputta 4)Bhugarbhaputta 5)
Agniptuta.
Notes
•Ayurvedic formulary of India ,
 BHASMA

ü A bhasma means an ash obtained though incineration

ü Parpams and kushta in Siddha and Unani­tibb

ü Dose (15­250 mg/ day).

ü Bhasmas as Multi­elemental Cocktail 

ü All Bhasmas have some common properties like 

ü Rasayana­  immunomodulation and anti­aging 
quality 

ü Yogavahi ­ ability of drug carry and targeted drug 
delivery
 RELATION OF METALS WITH BODY
Name Of The Present In Human Body
Dhatu(Metal)
Gold trace amounts in blood, semen, eyes, heart, upper layer of skin and intestines
Imbalance affects vision, causes general weakness in the body, dullness of
Silver intellect
bone marrow, upper layer of bones, gall bladder, pancreas, inner layer of the
skin, lungs, flesh, blood vessels, meanings (membrane which surrounds the
brain), audio receptive glands and septum of nose.
Copper upper and inner layer of skin, mucosa of soft tissue, large glands, eye pupil,
hair, pleura and pericardium. Imbalance causes defects in cardio-vascular,
central nervous and skeletal system.
Iron Major constituent of blood, present in the villi of the Intestine, eye pupil, hair
Tin abdominal muscles, blood and blood vessels, synovial membrane, outer layer
of uterus, Imbalance causes malformation in bones, diseases of reproductive
tract, affects formation of urine, polyurea, increased perspiration,

Lead blood all the Lymphatic tissue. Imbalance causes anemia, disturbance in
gastro-intestinal tract due to poor secretion of digestive juices, haemolytic
Zinc anemia
sensory and ascitis.
tissues and flesh.
 VARIOUS SOURCES OF BHASMA
Metals Minerals Precious Stones Marine Products Animal Products
Swarna Abrak Vajra Shankh Mrugashruga
(Gold) (Mica) (Diamond) (Counch) (Sabarsingh)
Rajat Makshika Manek Sukti Peacock Feather 
(Silver) (Copper Pyrite) (Ruby) (Chhip) Bhasma
Tamra Mansil Panna Mukta Kukutandatwak 
(Copper) (Red Arsenic) (Emerald) (Pearl) bhasma(eggshell
Naga Somal Nilam Kodi
(Lead) (White Arsenic) (Sapphire) (Varatika)
Bang Hartal Pokhraj Praval
(Tin) (Yellow Arsenic) (Topaz) (Coral)
Parad Mandoora
(Mercury) (Slag Iron)
Yasad Hingul
(Zinc) (Cinnabar)
FERENT BHASMAS AND THEIR MAIN INGREDIENTS/SO

No.
1 Bhasma
Abhrak bhasma Main Ingredient/Source
Mica
2 Hathidanta bhasma Charcoal of elephant tusk
3 Jasad bhasma  Zinc oxide
4 Loha bhasma  Iron oxide
5 Mandur bhasma  Iron oxide
6 Mayurapicha bhasma Ashes of peacock feather
7 Mukta bhasma Oxide of pearl
8 Naga bhasma  Lead
9 Parada bhasma Mercury compound
10 Pravala bhasma Oxide of coral
11 Rajata Bhasma Silver oxide
12 Sankha bhasma Oxide of conch shell
13 Mukta sukti bhasma Oxide of pearl, oyster shell
14 Talaka bhasma Arsenic sulphide
15 Tamra bhasma Cupric oxide
16 Vanga bhasma Tin compounds
17 Varatika bhasma Oxide of cowrie shell
 OTHER DIFFERENT BHASMAS
ü
ü Kasisa bhasma  (sulphate of  Akika bhasma
iron)

ü Godanti bhasma Jaharamohara bhasma
ü Trivanga bhasma­ contains  Sphatika bhasma
lead, tin, and zinc
ü Vajra bhasma (Hiraka  Hajarulayahuda bhasma
Bhasma)
Shukti Bhasma, 
ü Vaikranta bhasma
ü Srnga bhasma Kapardika Bhasma 
ü Svarna bhasma Kukkutand  twaka
ü Svarnamaksika bhasma
Bhasma,
ü Harafala bhasma
ü
Manikya Bhasma.
PREPARATION OF BHASMA
CLASSIFICATION OF PUTA
üFor  Hard Material             —  Maha Puta
üFor Medium Material        —   Guj Puta And Varah Puta
üFor Soft Material               —   Kukkut Puta,kapot Puta
üFor Special Soft Material   —   Bhanad Puta,valuka Puta,bhudhar 
Puta,lavak Puta,khumbh Puta
ü
üPuta­  800 degree C to 1000 degree C  ­  shorter duration and 
shorter shelf cooling period ­ Loha, Tamra, Abharak etc 
ü
üA range of 400 degree C ­ longer duration and longer shelf cooling 
period ­­ Hartal etc
ENT TYPE OF MUSAS (CRUCIBLES) USED IN PREPARATION OF 

 Yoga Musa
 Gara Musa
 Vara Musa 
 Varna Musa
 Rupya Musa
 Vida Musa
 Vajra Musa
 Vrintaka Musa
 Gostani Musa
 Malla Musa
 Pakava Musa
 Maha Musa
 Manjusa Musa
 MORDEN VIEW OF BHASMA
PREPARATION

üIn morden dayes Muffle furnace
is used to prepare bhasma
ü
ü
ütemperatures up to 1800oCelsius, 
 CHANGES DURING BHASMA PREPARATION

   Shodhana    application of heat Tension is increased

Decrease in tension
immediate cooling
increase in compression force

Repetition

uption in compression tension equilibrium leads to increased brittleness, reduc

finally reduction in particle size.
CHANGES DURING BHASMA PREPARATION
Some metals and minerals during red hot state react with atmospheric oxygen or
steam and form different chemical compound

   Iron atmospheric    ferroso­ferric oxide

oxygen 
or steam 

basic copper sulphate red hot state

atmospheric 
Copper cupric oxide
oxygen  decomposed
or steam 

vanga bhasma’ was studied by a systematic characterization of the 
drug samples after various calcination stages. It was found that tin was 
in the form of Sn4+  state and that the formation of SnO2  proceeded step­
wise through Sn(OH)4.
STANDARDIZATION AYURVEDIC BHASMAS
ØFinalization of the process

ØIdentification & Authentication of the raw materials.

ØStandardization of the raw materials

ØProcess validation of shodhan, maran, amritikaran (if applicable)

ØManufacturing of Bhasmas by both Method 

ØDetermine the Chemical transformations to be after every stage

ØDevelopment technologies for faster commercial production

ØToxicity studies and safety pharmacology Study.

Ø Development of suitable bio­assays for biological standardization.

ØClinical studies on formulations

ØAny other relevant development activity
 GOLD (SWARNA) BHASMA
üThe gold content was to be 96.76%.
ü
üThe standard swarna bhasma should contain the following: [10]
üFree sulphur — no less than 1.43% w/w and no more than 6.39% w/w
üSulphur — no more than 3.33% w/w
üCalcium as Ca — no more than 1.625% w/w
üSodium as Na — no more than 0.922% w/w
üPotassium as K — no more than 0.370% w/w
üSulphate — no more than 3.00% w/w
üCopper — no more than 17.2% w/w
üIron oxide (ferric) — no more than 85.0% w/w
üIron oxide (ferrous) — no more than 5.7% w/w
üIron — no less than 36.0% w/w and not more than 51.96% w/w
üPhosphate as PO4 — no more than 1.101% w/w
üSilica — no more than 3.8% w/w
ü
üAsh value between 92.10 and no more than 98.20% w/w [10]
ü
üAcid­insoluble ash value between 21.20 and 31.18% w/w. [10]
ü
üDose is 100 to 250 mg. [10]
 GOLD (SWARNA) BHASMA
vBiologically Active Gold Compounds on the Market [9]
No. Generic Name Trade Name Gold
Concentration
1 Gold sodium thiomalate Myochristin, 50.5
Myocrisin, Tauredon
2 Gold thioglucose Solganal 50.5
3 Gold thioglycoanilid Lauron 54.2
4 Gold sodium thiosulphate Sanochrysine, 402
Aurothion,
Thiochrysine
5 Calcium aurothiothioglycolate Myoral 64.1
6 Sodium2-aurothiobenzidazole-4-carboxylalte Tripha 47.8

7 Sodium auroallylthiourea-m-benzoate Lapion 43.4

8 S-triethylphosphine gold 2,3,4,6-teta-O-acetyl-1 Auranofin 29.1
thio-b-D-glycopyranoside

9 Chloro (triethylphosphine) gold SK&F 36914 56.2

 GOLD (SWARNA) BHASMA
üIndications
üanemia,  dyspepsia,  epilepsy,  neurasthenia,  loss  of  memory,  bronchitis, 
asthma, tuberculosis, leucoderma, and rheumatoid arthritis.[11,12]
ü
üLongevity, and combat the aging process in humans. 

Therapeutic Investigations 

No. Investigation Model Ref.

1 Analgesic activity Mouse, Rat 15
2 Immunomodulatory activity: specific  Mouse 16
3 immunity
Immunomodulatory activity:  Mouse 17
4 nonspecific immunity
Evaluation of safety Human 13
5 Antioxidant effect Rat 18
7 Free radical scavenging activity Mouse 14
8 Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease Human  15
Fibrosarcoma cell 
line (HT1080) 
 INTRODUCTION
Name of
• • Source & Content •Indication •Activity
bhasma
Abhrak
• Contain several elements •Hepatitis,
• •Hepatoprotective action

such as si, fe, al, mg and K •Nervine tonic ,

bhasma •Widely used in
•
respiratory tract
infections and anemia

Mandur
• Mandur bhasma is
• •Anemia, amenorrhea, •Hepatoprotective

prepared by purifying and dysmenorrhea, •Activity .[30]

bhasma calcinating iron rust. menorrhagia, chlorosis,
and hepatic and splenic
disorders
 INTRODUCTION
Name of Source & Indication Activity
bhasma Content
Muktashukti Pearl (moti), shell •Tuberculosis, cough, chronic fever,
• •Anti-inflammatory effect

bhasma (pearl-oyster) conjunctivitis, abdominal discomfort, .[31] 

antiulcer , antacid. Arthritis, rheumatism, •
musculoskeletal disorders, calcium Antiulcer activity[32] 
deficiency.Etc.
•

Sankha bhasma •Calcinated conch •Digestive problems, hyperchlorhydria, •Anti-peptic ulcer effect .
shell. sprue, colic, and hepatosplenomegaly. [33]  
•Calcium, iron, •
•Improving its secretory
and magnesium.
• status[34] 
 INTRODUCTION
Name of •Source &
• •Indication • Activity
bhasma Content

Jasad bhasma •ICP analysis of jasada •Such as diabetes, eye diseases,

• •Free radical control
bhasma 12 elements (na, general tonic •Delays DNA degradation

mg, al, si, S, K, ca, mn, •improve health and longevity. and enables retention of
fe, cu, zn, and sn) with higher amount of protein
zn in the form of zno as molecules in the cells.[35]
the major element •Arrest the progress of

(78.82 wt %). myopia.[36]

• •On clinically –antidiabetic

activity
•