Review of Bhasma & its

processing with latest

developments.

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The specific learning
objectives
Meaning of the word bhasma.
Origin of the concept.
Essential processings for Bhasma formation.
Standardization of Bhasma.
Latest developments.
Conclusions.

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Bhasma

Literary meaning is Ash.

Product which is obtained when a substance is
subjected to incineration or prolonged intense
Heat, especially Metals & Minerals.
Origin of the concept lies in Ayaskrutias
described by Susruta samhita first.
Ayorajah an important ingredient of Yogaraj
churna.

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Bhasma ( contd. )

Concept of Ayaskruti was applied to other metals

first and to minerals later.
Application of heat is an integral and essential
part.
Exceptions- Corals and Anagni loha bhasma
Definition A dosage form obtained from either
metals or minerals or gem stones or oceanic
products after heating them for specified time in
a specified way.
Characteristics-

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The processing.

All the steps taken for conversion of raw

material in to the Bhasma are included.

Three main- 1.Shodhana 2. Marana. 3.

Amrutikaran

For proper completion, many of the

processings are often repeated.

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 The Shodhana
Literary meaning Purification. Is it ?
Examples of various processes involved in Shodhana.
Intimate mixing (Bhavana) with organic liquids-Hingula.
Roasting with organic liquids Makshika.
Boiling in organic liquids Somala.
Heating & quenching in Organic liquids.-Abhraka.
Immersing in organic liquids.-Oceanic products.
Liquefying & resolidification in organic liquids.-
Gandhaka

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The Shodhana (contd. )

Effect of these processings on metals. Importance of

organic liquids.
Its not purification. Its chemical conversion.
Purposes for Shodhana-
Removal or masking of untoward effects.
Enhancement of effective properties.
Making the material soft, brittle, and ready for next
step i.e.Bhasma.
Detoxification.
In some cases physical purification, cleaning etc.

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The Shodhana ( contd )

Definition- Group of processes in which one

or more of these objectives are achieved.
Types of Shodhana-Samanya & Vishesh.
Used for metals only.
Traditionally the Samanya is followed by the
Vishesh.
The Myth of the terminology.

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The Shodhana ( contd ).

Reasons for calling Myths.

Terminology is not mentioned.
The sheet form of metals is lost.
No mention that one should be followed by the
other.
Meanings of Samanya & Vishesh.

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Marana or Bhasmikarana.

Processes by which metals or minerals are

converted in to a powdered dosage form.
Therapeutic properties of Bhasma- Fast acting,
very potent, effective in small dose, tasteless,
good tolerance.
Brought about by controlled heat by different
devises.
Physical properties- Fineness, lusterless,
smokeless on heating, without free metals, etc.

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Marana ( contd.)

Three methods- 1.with Rasabhasma,2. with

Sulphur & sulphides, 3.with plant products only.
Chemical nature of bhasma depends upon many
factors.
1. Substances mixed. 2. Nature, quality &
quantity of heat 3. Limited or abundant
supply of Air.
Examples.

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Heat-quantity, quality.

Instruments were not invented for measuring

heat.
Quantity of fuel, heating period & frequency of
heating were the controlling factors.
Different types of fuels hard wood like
Babbul,khadira different charcoals, cow dung
cakes, husk of grains, excreta of goats.
Burning such fuel produces heat of varied
intensity for specific period.
Principles of designing fire places, i.e.Puta.

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Equipments- the Yantras.

Designed to apply heat so as to prepare Bhasma

in a proper form.
Direct or indirect heat.
With or without air supply.
Chemical nature of the bhasma is decided.
Modern equipments and furnaces.

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Standardization.

Uniformity in external Features, Chemical

nature, Therapeutic actions & Reproducibility are
desired ideally.
Carried out in three stages. At the levels of raw
materials, processing & finished product.
Many difficulties are faced at each level.
The parameters are subjective, descriptions are
in ambiguous form, many versions of same
process exist.
Examples.

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Standardization (contd.)

Every step from Raw material to finished product

must be authenticated, documented using
objective parameters.
Use of organoleptic as well as other objective
parameters is desired.
As many references and different methods are
available for a Bhasma, ideally every method
should be Standardized.
Effectiveness of the Bhasma in well conducted
clinical trial is the ultimate test.

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Modern tools of
Standardization.
Basically they are used for qualitative &
quantitative chemical analysis.
Physical properties like Density, Particle size,
Solubility are determined.
TLC, HPTLC can establish finger prints of
various organic liquids.

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The specific learning
objectives
Meaning of the word bhasma.
Origin of the concept.
Essential processings for Bhasma formation.
Standardization of Bhasma.
Latest developments.
Conclusions

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Thank you !!

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