View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by PubMed Central Ancient Science of life Vol No XVI I July 1996, Page 67-73 ON THE TECHNIQUE OF SODHANA ANJANA CHAUBE, P.K PRAJAPATI and S.K DIXIT Department of Rasashastra, I.M.S., B.H.U., Varanasi – 221 005 Received: 6 February 1996 Accepted: 23 April,1996 ABSTRACT: Sodhana is a particular aspect to be followed meticulously in ayurvedic pharmaceutics. Failure to subject certain ingredients to this process of “purification” can have a negative effect on the efficacy of the preparations(s). This aspect is detail in this article. INTRODUCTION were the pioneer to use the metals for medicinal purposes as prehistoric texts like Ayurveda –the science of life is known to “Rigveda” and Atharvaveda: have the mankind since time immemorial. It mentioned the medicinal values of the noble prolongs life span, maintains positive health metals like gold and silver. and cures diseases. With a view to achieve these aims and objectives different types of After the development of rasa Shastra it was drugs, found in nature from the natural made possible for the minerals and metals, resources whether these may be herbal precious and semiprecious stones to pass animal or minerals have been in use. The through various pharmaceutical processes drugs of herbal origin come first in the series like shodhana, Jarana Marana etc for several because of their easy availability and easy times so as to convert these in to a form or processing but after sometime, in addition to compound which may suit to the human the herbal drugs, mani (previous stones or body and could be observed and assimilated gems) mantra (hymns), shastra (surgical easily into the system without exhibiting any instruments), agni (fire) and kshara (Alkali) toxic symptom. This suitable form of etc. were also adopted and included in minerals can be well understood by the therapeutics the use of metals and minerals following verse. comes still later in series. This mineral therapy is known as “Rasa Chikitsa” It is “Mritani lohani rasi bhavanti, Nighnanti said to be more of Rasayana in nature which yuktani mahamayanshcha Abhyasa yogat in practice prevents jara (old age or aging dridha deha siddhim, Kurvanti ruk janma process) and Vyadhies (diseases) Besides jara vinasham”. (R.R.S – 5/139). this is a fast acting therapy and has been found effective in smaller doses while others It means that if metals are properly are not; hence considered highly superior. incinerated in to ash form, on internal use Thus due to its high effectiveness, they may be observed and assimilated in to popularity and the socioeconomic status it the blood very easily within a very short was recognised as an independent branch of period. Their proper use may eradicate all learning in therapy in about 8th/9th cent A.D types of chronic ailments and their and has been known as “Rasa Shastra” and prolonged use in proper dose provides good “Rasa chikitsa” in the field of Ayurveda It is strength and immunity power to the body important to mention that perhaps Indian with delayed aging process. Pages 67 - 73 potentiation, inhibited morphine In the above verse (R.R.S- 5/139) the term induced catalepsy and least toxicity “Rasi Bhavan”, in the Rasa texts and in mice, albino rats and chicks. specially in the context of Mrita Lohas, is highly important, It indicates the state of 4. Paul et al (1988) reported that Kajjali finally produced mineral products, the limit prepared with shodhita parade and of their conversion and processing shodhita Gandhaka is less toxic than techniques which a mineral or metal requires Kajjali prepared with Ashodhita before being subjected to internal use, In parade and Gandhaka. other words “Rasi Bhavan” is a state in which is very similar to the colloidal form or 5. Chaube (1994) reported that the modern science and essential for their guggulu Pills processed with absorption as without reaching to this state Gomutra shodhita Guggulu are the no drug of mineral origin could be observer best regarding their disintegration in to the system properly. So this indicates time. that how much our ancient scholar of Ayurveda were aware regarding the Concept of shodhana (Purification) absorption of drugs. They have described so many pharmaceutical techniques which play Shodhana technique is in existence since an important role in altering the form or samhita period. In charaka samhita it has similar to “Rasa” form. Out of such all been indicated by “Shuddha” and techniques shodhana technique which comes “Shaucha” words. first to take place and there are so many examples of recent researches regarding Shodhana is an important technique shodhana technique which prove and necessary for almost all kinds of drugs to establish the important of shodhana as remove their Doshas (impurities or toxic following – contents). 1. Singh et al. (1980) reported that the Objectives of Shodhana Vatsanabha (root of Semicarpous anacardium) shodhita (purified) with There are certain objectives behind Gomutra (Cow’s urine) is converted shodhana technique as following, which in to cardiac stimulant where as may be applicable separately or crude Vatsanabha is claimed as collectively depending upon the need cardiac depressant. and nature of the drug material 2. Chaturvedi et al, (1982) reported that 1. Elimination of impurities the Anjana shodhita with juice of Eclipta alba is proved non-toxic to 2. Conversion of hard material into soft eyes in experimental animals. and brittle so as to proceed for further pharmaceutical techniques 3. Katiyar et al. (1983) reported that the such as marana, satwapatana etc. seeds of Strychnous nux vomica shodhita with Godugdha (Cow’s 3. Minimisation of toxicity of the drug milk) showed C.N.S depressant material. activity, pentabarbitone hyphosis Pages 67 - 73 4. Impregnation of sendriya (organic) qualities in to the drug material. 8. Atapa/ Agni Shoshana (Drying): The material is kept on fire or 5. Potentiation of therapeutic efficacy exposed to sunrays till its dryness e.g of the drug material. Vatsanabha and shilajatu. 9. Nirjalikarana (Evaporation of PROCEDURES FOR SHODHANA water): Whole water content of the material is evaporated by heating e.g 1. Prakshalana (Washing): The – Sphatika. material is washed with prescribed liquid to remove its physical 10. Galana (Filtering): The solid impurities e.g.- Godanti material is melted first by heating or dissolved in suitable liquid and then 2. Nirvapa (Heating and Quenching): filtered through a cloth e.g – The red hot material is dipped into Gandhaka and Navasadara. the prescribed liquid e.g – Dhatu shodhana. 11. Dhalana : At first the metal is melted by intense heat and then 3. Bhavana (Wet trituration): The poured into a liquid e.g – Naga. material is completely submerged in prescribed liquid and triturated till its 12. Achushana ( Absorption): Oily dryness e.g Hingula. content of certain toxic materials is minimized through different 4. Swedana (Boiling under liquid absorption means e.g – Bhallataka. bath): The material is boiled in prescribed liquid through Dola 13. Prithakkarana (Separation): Yantra method e.g- Sudha Varga Physical impurities are removed e.g Dravyas. – Abhraka. 5. Mardana (Grinding): The material 14. Nimajjana (Dipping): The material is ground properly without or with is kept immersed in the prescribed prescribed liquid for specific period liquid for specific period e.g – e.g – Parada. Vatsanabha. 6. Bharjana (Frying or Roasting): 15. Prithakkarana (Separation): The material is fried with or without Soluable material is seprated from Ghrita on mandagani (mild head) e.g insoluble impurities through – Gairika and tankana. filtration e.g – Gugglu. 7. Patana (Sublimation): Through 16. Vilayana (Elutriation): The patina yantra the material is heated to material is first dissolved in convert in to vapour form which is prescribed liquid and left as such for then passed through a condenser so some time. Then the upper part of that it may be condensed again e.g- the liquid containing the soluble drug Parada. material is decanted into another pot Pages 67 - 73 leaving behind the impurities in the bottom of the first pot e.g – shilajatu. Role of Kala (time Factor): Rasa texts have emphasized the role of Kala duration in the Types of shodhana: phenomenon of shodhana, as it has bee observed that if the shodhana procedures are Shodhana technique has been broadly employed for lesser duration may not show subdivided into two major types as desired effect and when employed for longer following- duration may cause desired destruction or disintegration of the metal of mineral drug, 1. Samanya shodhana (General hence their application for proper length of purification). time is also very essential for making the proper length of time is also very essential 2. Vishesha shodhana (Specific for making the products easily observable purification) highly effective and less toxic thus a change in their properties (physical / chemical Samanya shodhana is used in general for therapeutic) and form is brought about by purification of all drugs of a group or in the combined effect of these procedures and other words those drugs may be purified the time factor. individually through the same shodhana procedure. CONCLUSION Metals like gold, silver, copper, iron etc, From the above discussion it may be may be purified by quenching their red hot concluded that shodhana is an important and sheets in to several liquids one by one for inevitable technique in the field of Indian several times. The liquids which are used for pharmaceutics which causes- this purpose are Taila (oil), takra (butter milk), gomutra (cow’s urine), Kanji (a type 1. Purification of the drug. of acidic liquid prepared through special 2. Detoxication of the toxic drug. technique and Kulattha Kwatha (decoction 3.