Abstract

SUBSTITUTION OF AYURVEDIC DRUGS OF METAL, MINERAL, ORE ORIGIN WITH SYNTHETIC AND HIGHLY REFINED DRUGS - A BRIEF REVIEW

Prashant B. Bedarkar*

Abstract

Introduction-Inclusion of newer drugs in pharmaceutico-therapeutics of Rasashastra in different era has been evident. Many synthetic drugs are included in contemporary pharmaceutico-therapeutics of Rasashastra Aim of the study- To correlate classical Rasavarga Dravya with their representative synthetic compounds assumed to be by maximum scholars or being used today. Material and Methods- Classical Rasadravya were compared for source, acceptable varieties, possible chemical nature or composition and similarity, with their representative synthetic compound assumed to be by maximum scholars or being used in Pharmaceutico-therapeutics of Rasashastra in present era, from classical, contemporary Ayurvedic texts, modern texts and researches. Different varieties of same Rasadravya are correlated with other possible minerals, ores, alloys, principle compounds or chemical composition apart from assumption in presentera. Results and Discussion- Maximum number of Rasavarga Dravya shows similarity with their representative synthetic compound of Rasashastra in present era. Conclusion-Adoption of synthetic drugs in Ayurvedic pharmaceutico-therapeutics is beneficial in view of standardization, however for research purpose, possibility of different compounds or chemical composition apart from assumption in present era, should not be denied.

Keywords: Rasadravya, Rasachikitsa, Metals, Minerology, Traditional, Ayurveda, Bhasma.