Introduction:The aspiration for light skin (fair complexion) is becoming pronounced in a greater number of people in the present times with natural products being more in demand than their synthetic counterparts. Research in the area of skin-lightening agents is an expanding field with the knowledge being updated regularly. In Ayurveda, varṇya, raktaprasādana, tvacya are few terms specifying skin lightening with respect to its modern counterpart i.e., Tyrosinase inhibition, the most commonly reported method of skin lightening.Aim:The present review is undertaken for screening twenty herbs from Varṇya Mahākaṣāya, Lodhrādi varṇya gaṇa, Elādi varṇa prasādana gaṇa and few varṇya formulations to evaluate their probable modes of action through which the skin lightening is effected as per both Ayurveda and biomedical concepts.Materials and Methods:Critical review of herbs to show varṇya property is compiled from various Ayurvedic texts as well as from multiple articles on the internet to justify their skin lightening property on the basis of data collected.Result and Conclusion:All the twenty herbs reviewed are found to act as varṇya directly (citation as varṇya) or indirectly (alleviation of pitta and rakta) as per Ayurveda and to interfere in melanogenesis pathway through tyrosinase inhibition as per biomedicine. This shows their potential to act as good skin whitening agents. Śuṇṭhi being a part of many varṇya formulations, is the only herb among all reviewed in the present study found to exhibit tyrosinase inhibition without any Ayurvedic citation of varṇya property.

Background:Muktā Bhasma (MB) is a traditional Ayurvedic preparation for cough, breathlessness, and eye disorders and is a powerful cardiac tonic, mood elevator, and known to promote strength, intellect, and semen production.Objectives:The present research work was conducted to generate fingerprint for raw and processed MB for quality assessment and standardization using classical and other techniques.Setting and Design:Three samples of MB were prepared by purification (śodhana) of Muktā (pearl) followed by repeated calcinations (Māraṇa). Resultant product was subjected to organoleptic tests and Ayurvedic tests for quality control such as rekhāpūrṇatā, vāritaratva, and nirdhūmatva.Materials and Methods:For quality control, physicochemical parameters such as loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash, specific gravity, pH value, and other tests using techniques such as elemental analysis with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Structural study with powder X-ray diffraction, particle size with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out on raw Muktā, Śodhita Muktā, and triplicate batches of MB.Results:The study showed that the raw material Muktā was calcium carbonate in aragonite form, which on repeated calcinations was converted into a more stable calcite form. SEM studies revealed that in raw and purified materials the particles were found scattered and unevenly arranged in the range of 718.7–214.7 nm while in final product, uniformly arranged, stable, rod-shaped, and rounded particles with more agglomerates were observed in the range of 279.2–79.93 nm. EDAX analysis revealed calcium as a major ingredient in MB (average 46.32%) which increased gradually in the stages of processing (raw 34.11%, Śodhita 37.5%).Conclusion:Quality control parameters have been quantified for fingerprinting of MB prepared using a particular method.

Shankha Bhasma is a calcium containing formulation which is widely prescribes in practice since ancient time. In the classics of Rasa shastra, Shankha Bhasma recognized as a sole medicines primarily in the treatment of (gastrointestinal disorders) like Amlapitta(~hyperacidity), Grahani(~irritable bowel syndrome), Udarshula (~abdominal colic), Parinamshula(~duodenal ulcer) and Atisara(~diarrhoea). Moreover, Shankha Bhasma provides a good supplementation of calcium as properly manufactured Bhasma. Here an attempt has been made to compile the formulations of Shankha Bhasma in context of different classics, therapeutic indications and recent research works etc. Total 46 formulations are found during the study. By this effort formulations of Shankha Bhasma can be found collectively and could be used widely to get better efficacy to cure the many diseases.

Amavata is the most crippling of the joint diseases, found globally in all climates and ethnic groups. It is a disease instigated due to the vitiation or worsening of Vayu linked with Ama (Undigested food). Vitiated Vayu mingles the Ama all over the body through Dhamanies (Arteries & Veins), takes lodging in the Shleshma Sthana (small and big joints) & harvest symptoms such as stiffness, swelling and tenderness thus assembly a person lame. The symptoms of Amavata revealed in Ayurveda are found slightly undistinguishable to Rheumatism, which embrace Rheumatoid arthritis & Rheumatic Fever. Due to extensive gamut of disease, abundant more prevalence in the civilisation and deficiency of effective medicine, the disease has been selected for the literary Survey. Acharya Govinddas Sen has mentioned numerous formulations acting on Aamvata (Rheumatoid Arthritis) in his book Bhaishajya Ratnavali. The present study is designed to screen the formulations with Ama-vatahara (Anti-Rheumatoid Arthritis) property. Out of 3456 formulations mentioned in Bhaishajya Ratnavali, 151 are found described for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis throughout the text which includes herbal, mineral and animal origin drug formulations.

Mode of action of a poly herbal Ayurvedic formulation is a critical and essential issue to be considered in assuring the therapeutic efficacy and safety. Churna (Powder) preparations are widely and largely prepared in pharmacy as well as used by practitioners of Ayurveda for different ailments. Hingwashtaka Churna is one of the commonly used preparation containing very safe and easily available herbo-mineral drugs. Although, Hingvastak Churna is not mentioned in major classics like Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita etc. but after 3 rd. century onwards, it is mentioned in various authentic texts like Astanga hridaya samhita, Vanga sen Samhita, Sharangdhar samhita and Yoga ratnakar etc. under the treatment of Gulma roga, Ajeerna, Agnimandya etc. In clinical practice, it is a drug of choice for Digestive impairment. However, as per classical texts and Ayurvedic Formulary of India, it is indicated for Agnimandya (Digestive impairment), Shula (Colicky Pain), Gulma (Abdominal lump) and Vata roga (Disease due to Vata dosha). The present study is aimed to critically review the formulation ingredients and probable mode of action of Hingvastak churna in different clinical conditions.