|
NISCAIR ONLINE PERIODICALS REPOSITORY (NOPR) >
NISCAIR PUBLICATIONS >
Research Journals >
Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge (IJTK) >
IJTK Vol.09 [2010] >
IJTK Vol.09(3) [July 2010] >
| Title: | Some observations on the metal-based preparations in the Indian Systems of Medicine |
| Authors: | Kapoor, RC |
| Keywords: | Indian Systems of Medicine
Bhasma
Safety issues
Drug Standardization |
| Issue Date: | Jul-2010 |
| Publisher: | CSIR |
| IPC Code: | Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P15/00 |
| Abstract: | The real physicochemical nature of the
classical metal preparations, the bhasmas in the Indian Systems of
Medicine (ISM) is not very clear. Of late, doubts have been raised as to their
utility and suitability as medicine. The bhasmas are in fact products of
classical alchemy - inorganic compounds of certain metals and gems in a very
fine powdered form, mostly oxides, made in elaborate calcination processes
perfected several centuries ago. For most of the metals, methods of bhasma
preparation as given in the classical texts differ between themselves in terms
of accompaniments and process detail. Correspondingly, the processing of a
certain metal lead to bhasmas with different colours. The resultants are
considered to be the same medicinal substance with the ascribed indications
even though these may differ in composition between them and should ideally be
addressing different ailments. In short, there is no standard bhasma of
a metal as such. In view of such ambiguity and the risks attendant to their
inconsiderate use, there is an urgent need to bring about a standardization of
these preparations- process and the end product, as also to resolve the
respective indications and strengthen the regime to monitor the manufacturing,
and administration of these preparations. |
| Page(s): | 562-575 |
| ISSN: | 0975-1068 (Online); 0972-5938 (Print) |
| Source: | IJTK Vol.09(3) [July 2010]
|
|
