PHARMACEUTICO-ANALYTICAL STUDY OF LOHA BHASMA AS DESCRIBED IN RASA RATNA SAMUCHCHAYA

Abstract

Rasaushadis play an important role by exerting a quick action which streamlines its role in the field of medicine. Bhasmas are one among the unique preparations told in the field of Rasashastra. They tend to be more bio-available in the body as they are in the form of a nanoparticle. Loha Bhasma is abundantly used in the management of various diseases like Kaamala, Pandu etc. Loha in the form of a raw material is very hard and toxic, hence it has to be subjected to primary processes like Shodana and Marana to obtain nectar like substance in the form of a very fine powder called Loha Bhasma. In this study Iron fillings where used to prepare the Bhasma by subjecting it to Samanya and Vishesha Shodana and later on doing the procedure of Marana according to Rasa Ratna Sammuchchaya. During the process of Shodana care has to be taken while heating the iron fillings throughout the procedure and measured quantity of liquid media for quenching has to be maintained for doing Shodana in bulk. During the process iron fillings tend to flush over the face during each Nirvapa which has to be dealt with precaution. Marana was done by subjecting Loha for 20 successive Putas. Thereafter analysis of the Lohachurna and Bhasma (8^th & 20^th puta)  was analysed using SEM-EDAX. It was observed that the percentage of oxygen content in Loha Bhasma increased thereby stating it to be in Oxide form and the percentage of iron was reduced. The particle size ranges in nanometre scale of around 34.16nm which facilitates it being in its minute form.