Abstract

UTILITY OF ARSENIC COMPOUNDS IN AYURVEDA: A REVIEW

*Sreedevi A. P., Seema M. B., Surekha S. Medikeri and Anand Katti

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Abstract

Ayurvedic formulations are grossly classified as herbal, herbo-mineral and mineral based preparations. Mineral based formulations have been accused to cause toxicity by heavy metal poisoning. However, Acharya charaka opines even the best medicine (amruta) caused toxicity if used injudiciously. Conversely judicious use of otherwise toxic substance also yields cure. Metals and minerals used in ayurveda are subjected to shodhana and marana before prescribing. Arsenic is toxic substance. Rasagrantha of Ayurveda refer to medicinal uses of three substances viz. Haratala, Manashila and Gouripashana and all these are arsenic compounds. Even though arsenic is toxic, modern medical science also has noted the usefulness of arsenic in many diseases. The present article analyses haratala, manashila and gouripashana in the light of arsenic.

Keywords: Arsenic, Haratala, manashila, gouripashana.