Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga Volume 2 Number 4, October -December 2009

Role of media in process w.s.r to /minerals Shuchi Mitra* Sanjay Gupta** P.K. Prajapati***

ABSTRACT In Rasa Shastra almost all the drugs are advised to be processed with specific shodhana methods before their internal uses. As it has been observed that if metals/minerals are used in their impure form, these are likely to produce some harmful toxic effects or various diseases in the body. Thus shodhana processes are prescribed to each /mineral to remove physical & chemical impurities, as well as to convert mineral drugs into suitable forms for further treatment i.e. Marana process Keywords: Media, Sodhana, Metals, Minerals.

INTRODUCTION free from , potentiate them to achieve the therapeutic excellence & to make them easily digestible, absorbable and assimilable. The metals form a big group of inorganic elements that make up the body tissues. In the Shodhana process described in Rasa texts is not present day medical practice, ayurvedic only a process of chemical purification but it is a physicians profusely use metals, minerals, gems specific process of addition and separation which e.t.c., but due to ignorance some scientists always cases physical, chemical and Biological changes in arises question about the rationality of using these the metals. These changes depends on the metals for therapeutic purposes. Actually the structure, constituents, impurity and properties of metals available in nature are either in particular substance. combination with undesired other elements or in Here in this paper an attempt has been made to improper and non consumable forms. These forms enlighten the rationality behind Samanaya are not suitable for human body. All modifications Shodhana of metals specially based on role of and developments in Rasasastra are for the media and type of process adopted. purpose of making these elements useful and body friendly. TYPES OF SHODHANA The two basic processes adopted for this purpose are Shodhana and Marana. Shodhana is the preliminary and most important procedure Literally Shodhana means purification. adopted by Ayurvedic physicians to make metals Though references regarding Shodhana are available since the times of (1000 B.C. to 500 B.C.). But the details about this Author’s Affiliations: *Lecturer, Rasa Shastra & Bhaisajaya treatment could be traced only after the Kalpana State Ayurvedic P.G College, Lucknow Uttarpradesh; **Lecturer, Department of Panchkarma, Sai development of Rasa Shastra i.e. from 8th cent AD Ayurvedic Medical College, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh; and onwards. During that time number of ***Proffesor, H.O.D, Rasa Shastra & Bhaisajaya Kalpana, processes were developed for purifying the IPGT & RA ,G.A.U, Jamnagar, Gujarat. minerals/ metal drug to remove their toxicity as Reprints Request: Dr. Shuchi Mitra Lecturer Department of these drugs have many superior qualities, the only Rasa Shastra & Bhaisajaya Kalpana State Ayurvedic P.G disadvantage is that they have high toxicity and college Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, E Mail- little absorption capacity. So after considering this [email protected], Tel.: 9410711646

© Red Flower Publication Pvt. Ltd. 212 Shuchi Mitra, Sanjay Gupta, P.K. Prajapati view Acharya’s developed different Shodhana be applied after Samanya Shodhana eg. Swarna treatments for different types of drugs depending Shodhana with panchmritika. on their different physical and chemical characteristics to make them suitable for the body. DEFINITION In context of metals this process is grossly subdivided into two major categories. Tadeva shodhanam karmam Dravya Nivaranam?(D.G.V.) i.e. Shodhana is a process of SAMANYA SHODHANA removal of impurities from substances by using different pharmaceutical processings of Swedana, This procedure is used as a general procedure Mardana etc with Particular drugs. for shodhana of all drugs of a particular group. e.g. Udvidasthairoushdhai Sardham Kriytai Peshnadikama | For metals. Tailai Takrai Gavamutrai Arnalai Kullathajai| Malavishiyatai Tattu Shodhanam Hi Kramanishaya —————| | (R.R.S 5/13) Taduchayate | |? (RT 2/52) It is a process by which blemishes are separated VISHESHA SHODHANA from the substance by various processing like grinding etc with specific drugs.

It is used as a specific procedure for a particular drug material individually, not for a group. It can

Different methods of Shodhana

(1) Swedana Boiling with liquid Sankha Shodhana (2) Mardana Trituratio n Parada Shodhana (3) Murchana Trituratio n up to fine disintegratio n ParadaShodhana (4) Patana Sublimation Parada Shodhana (5) Abhiseka Sprinkling Mandura Shodhana (6) Atapa Drying Lauha Shodhana (7) Acushana Absorption Bhallataka Shodhana (8) Bhavana Levigation Hingula Shodhana (9) Bharjana Frying Hingu Shodhana (10) Dhalana Melting and quenching Vanga Shodhana (11) Galana Melting and pouring Gandhaka Shodhana. (12) N irjalikarana Evaporation of water Sphatika Shodhana (13) Nirvapa Heatingand Quenching SamanyaShodhanaof metals (14) Prithakikarana Sepration Gugglu shod hana (15) Vilayana Elutriations Silajitu Shodhana (16) Prakshalana Washing Godanti Shodhana

If we think about all these processes we can HEATING AND DIPPING concise all these processes in to 7 types mainly. It is a common method applicable specially for metals, gems, minerals etc. this method of

Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga Role of media in Shodhana process w.s.r. to metals/minerals 213 purification is applicable for the drugs which are Hartala, drugs of Sudha varga etc. very hard in nature as , Mica, Mandura, Diamond etc. DISTILLATION

HEATING, MELTING AND This method is applied when drug is having POURING INTO LIQUIDS low vaporization point e.g., , Sulphur Nausadara etc. This method is indicated for the drugs having low melting point e.g. , vanga, Sulphur etc. TRITURATION WITH HERBAL DRUGS (BHAVANA) BOILING WITH LIQUIDS When drugs are soft in nature this process is It is a common methods of purification called applied. Actually this process exposes the surface as Swedana. This method is applicable when drug area of drug and each particle comes into direct is having impurities soluble only in hot acidic, contact with purifying drug e.g. in Parada, Garika, alkaline or oily media eg Mercury, Manasila, Hingula, Manasila etc.

Literary review-Samanaya Shodhana of metals Reference Sodhana categorization and media Activity 1 Rasa R atn ak ara Samanya for Dhatus: Taila - Takra - Quenching / Dhalana (Rasa Khanda) Gomutra - Aranala - Kulattha Kwatha 7 tim es each 2 Rasa R atn ak ara Samanya for Dhatus: Taila - Takra - Quenching / Dhalana (Rddhi Khanda) Gomutra - K anji - Arka Dugdha - 7 tim es each Kulattha Kwatha - Jambira Swarasa 3 Sarangdhara Sam any a for D hatus: Taila - Tak ra – Quenching / Dhalana Kanji-Gomutra–KulatthaKwatha+ 3 tim es each Arka Dugdha 4 Rasendra Samanya for Dhatus: Taila - Takra - Quenching / Dhalana Cintamani Gomutra - Kanji - Kulattha Kwatha 7 tim es or 3 tim es each 5 Yog a R atn ak ara Samanya for Dhatus: Taila - Takra - Quenching / Dhalana Gomutra - Aranala - Kulattha Kwatha 7 tim es each 6 Bhaisajya Samanya for Dhatus: Taila - Takra - Quenching / Dhalana Ratnavali Gomutra - Kanji - Kulattha Kwatha 7 tim es each Quenching / Dhalana Naga - Vanga: Arka Dugdha 3 tim es each 7 Rasa Tarangini Yasada: Quenching / Dhalana Curnodaka OR 7times Nirgundi Swarasa OR 7times Sudha Dugdha OR 7times Godugdha 21 times Samanya for all Dhatus: Kanji - Takra - 3 tim es each Kulatth a Kw atha - Gom utra - Til Taila

SOAKING IN LIQUIDS FRYING

Mainly applicable in case of vegetable This method is applied when drugs either contain drugs and poisons eg. vatsanabha, Kuchala, water of Crystalization or volatile impurities. eg Guggulu, Silajitu etc. Tankana,Spatika,Maksika,Hinguetc.

Volume 2 Number 4, October - December 2010 214 Shuchi Mitra, Sanjay Gupta, P.K. Prajapati IMPORTANCE OF SHODHANA through the lattice. Thus Metal consists of an ordered array of positively charged ions 1. Physical Changes between which the valence electron more in all directions with high velocities. 1. Elimination of physical impurities 2. Reduction in Hardness – The binding forces that hold a metallic crystal 3. Increased brittleness – due to repeated together can be assumed to come form the heating and quenching micro cracks are attraction of positively charged ions for the seen on the surface of metals. cloud of negative charge that lies between 4. Reduced particle size them. 2. Chemical Changes – In ions crystals, the cations and anions are held 1. Elimination of chemical impurities together very tightly in their allotted positions 2. Formation of chemical compounds e.g. During by very strong electrostatic forces of attraction, Red hot stage oxidation occurs and oxides are very high amount of (in the form of formed. heat) is required to separate the cations and anions from one another due to this reason 3. Biological changes metals are hard, having high M.P. and B.P. These physico-chemical changes ultimately along with high density. increases bioavailability. Reduction in particle size – Metallic luster is always due to metallic oxides. helps in absorption. Smoothness to non Not due to carbonate, silicates, phosphate irritability and all chemical changes makes metal sulphates etc. body friendly and suitable for further proceeding.

NIRVAPA BASIC STRUCTURE OF A METAL Taptayapsu vinikshapo Nirvapa Snapanam cha Metals are solid crystalline in structure. The tata (R.R.S.8/56) normal metallic object consist of an aggregate of Solid Raw materialà Red hot stage à many small crystals thus metal are polycrystalline. Quenching in liquid media at room temperature. The crystals in metals are normally called as grains. These can be defined as an orderly array of Unit operations in the process of Nirvapa atoms in space. 1. Phase of heating 2. Phase of quenching 3. Post quenching interaction between solid hot CRYSTAL LATTICE material and liquid media

In order to occupy minimum space, the ions PROBABLE MODE OF ACTION OF NIRVAPA arrange themselves systematically in an (BASED ON KINETIC THEORY OF MATTER) alternating cation- anion pattern called crystal of PHASE OF HEATING lattice. The manufacturing processes tend to align the Ø Metals are solid, closed, packed crystal grains in a metal so that their orientation are structure the number of atoms occupy uniformly distributed and at is known as textured equilibrium positions and vibrate in fixed of preferred orientation. positions. Crystalline solids are grouped into (1) Ionic Ø When temperature is applied, the particles (2) Wander walls (3) Covalent (4) Metallic gain energy and vibrate strongly and – In a metal valence electrons are able to move displacement of equilibrium occurs, intra

Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga Role of media in Shodhana process w.s.r. to metals/minerals 215 atomic distance increases and solid get cracks. When heat is applied initially it is taken on expanded. the high portion of surface as a result high stress Ø Due to increase in intra atomic distance occurs. the bonds at this place get weak, which is electrostatic forces get weakened. responsible for creating cracks. The particle with Ø Due to continuous heating partial get enough weakest flaw fracture most easily, by this way energy to break forces and can more around, particle size gets reduced. this expansion is called linear expansion. During red hot condition metal react with ROLE OF MEDIA IN SAMANYA atmospheric oxygen and compounds are formed SHODHANA OF METALS on surface, generally expansibility of compounds are less than metals and leads to separation of Media plays an important role in Shodhana compound part. Process that is the reason of using specific media for a particular substance. PHASE OF QUENCHING Media can act in different ways. Ø Sometimes media acts as solvent to dissolve After heating immediate cooling in liquid insoluble impurities. media leads to decrease in tension and increase in Ø Sometimes media acts to eradicate toxic compression force. The media immediately substance from the drug. penetrates inside & media soluble impurities get Ø Media provides some organic and inorganic dissolved. principles to the material which have Repetition of heating and cooling causes important role in the body. disruption in equilibrium, leads to increased Ø Sometimes helps in physical transformation of brittleness, reduction in hardness and finally some metals and minerals. particle size get reduced. Ø Fate of metal deformation depends on the nature of liquid used for quenching POST QUENCHING INTERACTION ACCORDING TO AYURVEDIC VIEW After Nirvapa and during instant cooling recrystallization occurs along with reformation of In Samanya Shodhana of metals, material grain boundaries. Each grain is surrounded by the taken for Shodhana are heated to red hot and molecules of liquid media imposing its properties dipped into various types of cold liquids i.e. Tail, on that purified metals. Takra, Gomutra, Arnal and Kulitha respectively for 7 times in each liquid. ACCORDING TO GRIFFITH THEORY The order of these Medias for Shodhana is important. Intensity of Tikshnatva increases in rising All solids contain flaws and microscopic order in case of these Medias from Tail up to Kulltha. ThesemediaNullifyMala,Kathinata,Jadtaetc.

M edia of Sodhana Properties Effect (1) Tila Tail Sukshm a Ashukari - R ap id ly en te rs in to m a ter ia l - M akes film coating - Further heating causes compound form atio n and breaking of m aterial (2) Takra Tikshna Sathilikaran - Softening of m aterial -Breaking (3) Gom utra Dahana,Pachana - Separates oxides from m aterial - Eradication of undesired substances (4) Arnala T iksh na S ha ith ilik ar an -Softeningandbreaking (5 ) K ul la th a K w a th a Bhedana - Breaking of material

Volume 2 Number 4, October - December 2009 216 Shuchi Mitra, Sanjay Gupta, P.K. Prajapati All the medial used for Samanya Shodhana Ø Mineral Surface modification Contain one or more than following properties. Ø Selecting removal of undesirable constituents 1. Weak / Strong acids Ø Enrichment of desired mineral in ore body. Ø 2. Weak / Strong bases Sorption and accumulation of metal 3. Enzymes constituents by biomass. Ø Generation of biosurfactants. 4. Solvent property 5. Inorganic content BIOSORPTION & BIOACCUMULATION CONCEPT OF BIOBENEFICIATION Micro organisms are capable of concentrating metals from aqueous solutions. The major It is a recent research to use micro-organisms mechanism is: in the beneficiation of various minerals. According to this theory many autotrophic and Extracelluar precipitation heterotrophic bacteria as well as fungi are known â to interact with sulphide and oxide mineral in Volatilization such fashion so as to remove selectively one or â more mineral constituents in an ore. When micro Extra cellular complexation, accumulation organism interact with minerals, several â consequences results. Adhesion of micro organism to mineral Binding to cell surface surface. â Ø Oxidation / Reduction reactions catalyzed by Accumulation in intracellular organisms â Ø Adsorption / Chemical interaction of bacterial Removal of toxic substance from Cu, Pb, Zn, etc. metabolic products onto mineral surface. â This may result in microbe- mineral interactions, may be manifested as Biomineral Both living and dead biomass could be used for conversion, biosurface modification, this purpose but metals uptake capacity of biomass bioaccumulation and bio absorption, which depends on causes. 1. Nature, type and amount of biomass

Table: Showing some Microorganisms capable of metal accumulation

Sr.No Organisms Metal ions 1 Thiobacillus ferrooxidans Cd+2,Co+2,Cu+2,Cr+3,Fe+3,Ni+2 2 Cyanobacteria Au+3 3 Chlorella pyrenoidosa Cd+2,Co+2,Ni+2,Zn+2,UO2+2 Chlorella Regularis 4 Bacillus subtilis Cd+2,Co+2,Cu+2,Zn+2,UO2+2, Au+3,Fe+3 5 Pseudomonas sp. Cd+2,Co+2,Ni+2,UO2+2,radionucleides 6 Yeast Cd+2,Co+2,Ni+2,Zn+2, Cu +2 7 Aspergillius niger Co+2,Zn+2 Cu+2,radionucleides

Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga Role of media in Shodhana process w.s.r. to metals/minerals 217 2. Solution chemistry i.e. PH and type of ions. 5. Durgan.P.R & Apel,W.A: In Murr.L.E, Thus it may be that microorganisms present in Torma,A.E & Brierley, J.A(Eds): Metallurgical specific media used for Samanya Shodhana of application of bacterial leaching & Microbial metals at specific PH act or biomass and removes phenomena, Newyork. Academic press 1978. toxic elements by the process of biobeneficiation. 6. Interactive workshop between students & Yet there is a need to prove it on scientific grounds. teachers of in Rasa Shastra & That why acharya have mentioned specific media Bhaishajya Kalpana, under the aegis of W.H.O & Deptt. of Ayush, Ministry of health & F.W, Govt. for Shodhana of metals. of India., Organizing secretary Dr.V.V Prasad, New Delhi. Feb 26-27 2005. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION 7. Karavaiko, G.I & Rossi,G. (Eds): Bio Geotechnology of metals. Moscow centre for int. projects, 1988. Thus by considering all these concepts. It can 8. Karaviko,G.L, Avakyana,Z.A, Ogurtsova,L.V & was well understood that Shodhana techniques Safonova,O.F; in Salley.Ottawa: CANMET, 1998; described by our acharya’s have scientific basis. 93-102. These treatments not only remove impurities of 9. Mehta A.P,Torma,A.E & Murr, drug but also add some materials with them L.E:Biotech.Bioengg, 1979; 21: 875-885. which, from chemical point of view may be taken 10. Natarajana,K.A:IN Enrlich, H.L, Brieriey, C.L & as impurities but from pharmacological or Brierely,j.A, (Eds): microbial mineral recovery, therapeutic point of view they are beneficial to the New York: McGrew Hill, 1990; 79-106. great Extent. Ayurvedic Shodhana is not only a 11. Setty, Subrahmanyam,j.Thimma,KusumSarasija chemical purification but something more than it, Suresh,V. Pharmaceutical engineering, which may lower the chemical purity but Principles & practices, C.V.S., 170 . improves efficacy of the material. Ayurvedic 12. Kulkarni,Duttatrey,Rasa ratna Shodhana process also impregnate organic Sammuchaya,Vigyana Bodhini tika. material and their properties to drug to facilitate 13. MishraSwaminath1st Ed.1991 RasaRatnakara their utilization by body tissues and organs. From (RasaKhanda), Nityanatha Siddha, com., pharmaceutical point of view these process helps Chaukhamba Orientalia. in converting material in such state which is 14. Mishra Swaminath,Rasa Ratnakara (Rddhi suitable for further proceedings e.g. Marana etc. Khanda) 1st Ed, Chaukhamba Orientalia, 15. Sharma, Sadananda Rasa Tarangini, 11th Ed., 2001:, Editied by Pt. Kashinath Shastry, Motilal REFERENCES Banarasi Das, 1991. 16. Tripathi Indradevo & Bhagirithi,Rasarnava, 1. Shastry Ambikadatta Bhaisajya Ratnavali, Comm. Rasachandrica Hindi comm., 3rd Govindadasa, 13th Ed, Vidhyotini Comm. ed, edited by P.T. Tarradatta Panta Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthana, 1999. Ayurvedachayarya & Dr. Shri Krishna Dixit, Chaukhamba Sanskrit series, 1995. 2. Natarajana K.A , Deptt of Metallurgy, 17. Nath Âcârya Dhundhuk Rasendra Cintamani, Biobeneficiation –potential & prospects, Indian 1st Ed, Hindi Comm. Prof. Siddhinanda institute of science, Banglore, India. Mishra, Chaukhamba Orientalia, 2000. 3. Busscher, H J.Sjollema,j.,Van der Mei,H.C, in 18. Sarangdhara Samhita with Dipika comm, 3rd ed, Doyle.RJ & Rosenberg,M.(Eds):microbial cell by Adhmalla, Gudhartha Dipika & by surface Hydrophibicity. Washington D.C: Kashirama, Chaukhamba Orientalia, 1983. American society for microbiology, 1990; 335- 19. Rao Yelloji, Natarajana.M.K. K.A & 346. Somasundarana. Mineral & Metallurgical 4. Sharma PV, Dravya Guna Vigyana, 5th ed., processing,1992; 105-120 . Vol.2. Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, 1981.

Volume 2 Number 4, October - December 2009