Abstract

PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION OF PASHANA VAJRAKA RASA

Dr. Anusha Viju*

Abstract

Rasa shastra, the Iatrochemistry of Ayurveda deals with therapeutic processing and use of various minerals and metals, including mercury, are purified and combined with herbs in an attempt to treat illnesses. The word Rasa shastra literally means the ‘Science of Mercury’. However, it is a specialized branch of Ayurveda dealing mainly with materials which are known as ‘Rasadravyas’. They have the following three characteristic attributes: instant effectiveness, requirement of very small doses and extensive therapeutic utility irrespective of constitutional variation. Rasoushadhis are a category of Ayurvedic formulations that has to be explored technically as well as therapeutically. Rasoushadhis although named after mercury (Rasa or Parada), can be classified in two distinct classes-Mercurial and Non- Mercurial. Based on the method of preparation, the Mercury based drugs are classified as Khalvi Rasa, Parpati Rasa, Koopipakwa Rasa and Pottali Rasa. The non-mercurial preparations include Dhatu Bhasma, Satva and Pishti. There are some other Herbo mineral Ayurvedic dosage forms (Kalpana) also, where these Rasadravyas are formulated along with herbal drugs. Different types of Ashmarighna formulations ranging from herbal to mineral have been described in Ayurvedic classical texts. Pashana Vajraka Rasa, a herb mineral preparation prescribed for Mutrashmari is mentioned in Ayurveda which contains Kajjali which acts like catalyst, Punarnava and Pashanabheda as Ashmarihara. The present study is concerned with the formulation called Pashana Vajraka Rasam, mentioned in the classical literature Yogaratnakara Ashmari Nidana-Chikitsa Prakaranam, which has indication on Ashmari. Mutrashmari (Urolithiasis) is one among the Ashtamahagada (eight fatal conditions). It is the common diseases of Mutravaha Srotas (urinary tract) that occur due to disequilibrium between stone inhibiting and promoting factors in the urinary system. Till now no scientific studies has been carried out on this formulation. So, this study aims to prepare Pashana Vajraka Rasam, analyze the physicochemical parameters.

Keywords: Pashana Vajraka Rasa, Kajjali, Mutrashmari, Urolithiasis.