As the concerns over use of ayurveda medicines containing bhasmas of heavy metals are on rise, we will take a closer look at the process of preparing bhasmas and use of heavy metals prescribed in ayurveda.

1. VAIDYA ANIRUDDHA S. KULKARNI
SHREE ATMARAJ AYURVEDEEYA
CHIKITSALAYA, GANESH MARG, SHANIWAR
PETH, MIRAJ

2. INTRODUCTION
 Ayurveda, the age-old medical system of India is
attracting attention as one of the leading
complementary and alternative medical science.
 The major use of herbal ingredients proves to be
effective and minimally toxic to the patients.
 The benefits of Ayurvedic medicines often result
from synergistic action of multiple active chemicals.
 Ayurvedic medicines are not only derived from plant
but also have mineral, metal and animal origin
drugs.

3. HEAVY METAL TOXICITY CONCERNS
 The use of metallic preparations as single drugs or as
ingredients in many Ayurvedic medicines has evoked
concern and debate in the scientific and public
forums in the recent times.
 Some studies has warned that users of Ayurvedic
medicines may be at risk for heavy metal toxicity and
suggested that testing of Ayurvedic medicines for
toxic heavy metals should be mandatory.

4. SORRY! BUT IT’S NOT TRUE!!
 This observation is unacceptable to many Ayurvedic
physicians and Rasavaidyas (Those who prepare
metallic preparations).
 Their contention is that so called heavy metals
were not heavy on the human body and that
Ayurvedic medicines containing heavy metals
(used in the form of Bhasmas) were
completely safe to use.

5. RASASHASTRA (INDIAN ALCHEMY)
 The Rasashastra evolved from Alchemy which aimed
at finding magic substance that would transmute
base metals like lead, tin, mercury and copper into
the noble ones(gold and silver).
 The invention of mercury was the turning point in
the development of Rasashastra. Mercury is known
as Rasa and the whole Rasashastra is based on its
wonderful and miraculous properties. Rasashastra
was enriched by additions of metals, alloys, materials
obtained from minerals and ores.

6. METALS FROM CLASSIC TEXTS
 Charaka (1200BC) primarily used plants as medicines.
The idea of making metals absorbable and effective to
humans, he described simple procedure of heating and
quenching the metals in cow urine.
 In Sushruta samhita(10BC), we can find the first mention
of mercury.
 In Ashtanga sangraha the method of preparing bhasma is
described.
 The main advance of Rasashastra was seen from 9th to
18th century. Nagarjuna is credited as the foremost
authority in the development of Rasashastra.

7. IMPORTANCE OF BHASMA

8. BENEFITS OF METALLIC
FORMULATIONS
 Quick action
 Lesser dose
 Tastelessness
 Prolonged shelf life
 Better palatability

9. HEAVY METALS
 A heavy metal is one with a specific gravity of 5gm
cm-3 or more.
 They are stable elements and cannot be metabolized
by the body.
 Some heavy metals such as zinc, copper, cobalt,
chromium, iron and manganese are required by body
in small measures.
 These same elements can be toxic in larger
quantities.
 Heavy metals may enter the body in food, water, air,
or by absorption through skin.

10. BHASMAS OF METALS
 The heavy or toxic metals in elemental
form are toxic but those in compound form
i.e. bhasma are safe for humans.
 Bhasmas are made from various metals,
metal mixtures and alloys.
 The way they are prepared, evaluated and
therapeutically used leaves no doubt about
their safety to the humans.

11. PREPARATION OF BHASMAS
SHODHANA BHAVANA MARANA

12. SHODHANA
 It is a process of purification and
detoxification by which physical and
chemical impurities along with toxic
materials are eliminated.
 Different procedures like sprinkling,
absorption, frying, lavigation, melting and
quenching, trituration, dipping are used
according to the selected substance.

13. VANGA (TIN) SHODHANA
HEATING
DIPPING IN
SESAME OIL
AFTER
SHODHANA

14. SHODHANA-TAMRA AND
GANDHAKA

15. BHAVANA
Wet bhavana is the process of
grinding in which materials are
ground with specific liquid media for a
particular period.
The process leads to unique and
suitable physicochemical changes and
potentiate the efficacy of material.

16. MARANA (CALCINATION)
 The process which
converts the
purified metals and
minerals into
bhasma (Ash) after
subjecting them to
lavigation and
incineration is
called as marana.

17. PROCESS OF MARANA
MISHRANA BHAVANA
CHAKRIKA
NIRMAN
PUTAMMARANA

18. CHANGES DUE TO MARANA
Reduction in particle size.
Conjugation of trace elements.
Elimination of unwanted
elements.
Formation of desirable
compound.

19. QUALITY CONTROL OF
BHAMAS
 PHYSICAL
PARAMETERS
Varitar
Unnama
Rekhapoornatva
Shlakshnatvam
 CHEMICAL
PARAMETERS
Varna
Gatarasatvam
Nishchandratva
Apoonarbhavatva

20. PARAMETERS FOR BHASMA

21. PARADA (MERCURY)
 PARADA IS OBTAINED
FROM HINGULA
(CINNABAR)
 FROM HINGULA
PARADA IS DERIVED BY
URDHVAPATANA
 CHEMICALLY PURE
PARADA IS NOT READY
FOR CONSUMPTION, IT
SHOULD BE TREATED
WITH EIGHT
SANSKARAS

22. EXTRACTING MERCURY
FROM CINNABAR
YANTRA
SQUEEZING
OUT
MERCURY
MERCURY

23. DETOXIFICATION OF PARADA –
EMASCULATION WITH GARLIC

24. KAJJALI
MIXING OF
MERCURY
AND SULFUR
MIDDLE
STAGE
COMPLETION
OF KAJJALI

25. KUPIPAKWA RASAYANA
 THIS IS AN UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT PROCESS
OF PREPARING BHASMAS.
 IN A SPECIALLY BUILT FURNACE, EARTHEN
VESSEL FILLED WITH SAND IS PLACED. IN THE
VESSEL, A COATED GLASS BOTTLE WITH A
MIXTURE IS KEPT.
 HEAT IS GIVEN FROM BELOW IN ASCENDING
TEMPERATURES FOR 24 TO 72 HOURS.
 THE DESIRED MEDICINE IS OBTAINED FROM
NECK AND BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE.

26. CONSTRUCTING FURNACE
CONSTRUCTING
FURNACE
COMPLETED
BHATTI
COATED
BOTTLES

27. ASCENDING HEATING
MANDAGNI –
200-300 C
MADHYAMAGNI
– 600-800 C
TIVRAGNI –
1100-1300 C

28. RASASINDURA
NECK OF THE
BOTTLE BEING
OBLITERATED
BREAKING OF
BOTTLE
TAMRA
BHASMA AND
RASASINDURA

29. BHASMA DISCUSSION
 Many researchers and students are interested to
know about chemical nature of end product of the
bhasma process.
 A metal is heated to high temperature in kiln below
its melting point in an inadequate supply of air when
it undergoes thermal decomposition or a phase
transition other than melting. As a result the metal
becomes friable and may undergo oxidation or
reduction. The entire process of bhasma is thus one
of producing a salt of metal, mostly an oxide. The
bhasma process has to be done several times over.

30. BHASMA (CONT..)
 After successive calcinations much smaller
particle sizes are reached. Ultimately
particle sizes reach colloidal scales (from a
few microns to a few nanometers).
 BHASMAS ARE REAL NANOPARTICLES.
 These sizes help in better absorptivity and
so effective drug delivery.

31. BHASMA (CONT..)
 In each cycle of calcinations the oxidation process
would progress in a different way and various
organometallic complexes are formed intermediately
before finally achieving desired pure metal oxide or
sulfide.
 For nearly all the metals the methods of bhasma
preparation differ among the text themselves. The
differences are in accompaniments, peak
temperatures and exposure span in each cycle
leading to oxide variants.

32. TOXICITY ASPECT
 The concerns raised are about metal content and not
about metal toxicities among populations resulting from
use of such medicines.
 The chemical forms of metal can impact bioavailability
and toxicity as inorganic compounds and in prescribed
dosages; they are less likely to accumulate in the body.
 With particle sizes in micron, the absorptivity of metal
bhasmas is undoubtedly better than an ordinary mineral
taken in powdered form. These preparations are in use
for more than thousand years; HENCE ALL
BHASMAS ARE NON TOXIC.

33. RECOMMENDED
PRECAUTIONS
 Metallic preparations can be harmful and toxic if
they are not prepared properly.
 Ayurvedic medicines should not be allowed to be
sold as herbal medicines or supplements and should
not be available at grocery stores.
 People should consume these herbo-mineral-metallic
preparations strictly only under medical supervision
with appropriate dosage, anupan (drug vehicle) and
for advised period only.
 Patients should also observe prescribed diet and
lifestyle changes.

34. THE WAY AHEAD…
 AYUSH and FDA should try to take research projects for
evaluation of toxic effects of metallic formulations.
 The labels on the containers of these medicines should
clearly mention the presence of metals and declare their
quantity.
 Research work regarding short term and long term
toxicities of these medicines should be supported and
published according to global standards.
 Ayurveda is facing lot of hurdles to recognize itself as a
global medical system. Approach of individualized
treatment and use of heavy metals are the main
deterrents. But, government should try to persuade the
western countries about the recognition of ayurveda.

35. USES OF METAL BHASMAS

36. ABHRAKA (MICA) BHASMA
 INDICATIONS
Chronic
Asthma
 Pthisis
 Old age
debility
 Hematinic

37. LOHA (IRON) BHASMA
 INDICATIONS
Anemia
Disorders of liver
and spleen
Jaundice
Edema
General debility

38. SUVARNA (GOLD) BHASMA
 INDICATIONS
 Nervine tonic
 Aphrodisiac
 Immunomodulator
 Stimulates activity
of stomach, skin
and kidneys

39. TAMRA (COPPER) BHASMA
 INDICATIONS
Cough
Tuberculosis
Asthma
Liver
disorders

40. VANGA (TIN) BHASMA
 INDICATIONS
Urinary
disorders
General
debility

41. YASHAD (ZINC) BHASMA
 INDICATIONS
Internal
hemorrhage
Diabetes
Urinary
disorders
Tuberculosis

42. NAG (LEAD) BHASMA
 INDICATIONS
 Diabetes
 Urinary disorders
 Ulcers
 Piles
 Bowel disorder
 Impotency
 Neurological diseases

43. RAJAT (SILVER) BHASMA
 INDICATIONS
 Diabetes
 Urinary disorders
 Debility
 Ascites
 Anemia
 Neurological disorders
 Cough
 Asthma
 Psychological diseases
 Hemiplegia

44. WE WANT EVERYTHING!!!

45. THANK
YOU!!!