The Ayurvedic system of medicine has stood the test of time for four millennia or more. The ancient seers found that drugs of different origin (herbal, metal or animal) in addition to codes of conduct and dietary regulations are suitable tools to maintain health in healthy and eradicating diseases in diseased. Use of metallic preparations in healthcare is a unique feature in this system. Processed metals including Mercury, Gold, Silver, Lead, Zinc, Copper etc. were used very frequently by seers of the Indian tradition in different disease conditions with great authority. It is generally claimed, that these metals are detoxified during the highly complex manufacturing processes described in Ayurvedic, especially Rasashastra texts. Charaka Samhita, one of the scheduled books of Ayurveda also holds ample of references regarding the use of metals for different purposes, which are summarized in the current paper.

Rasa Shastra deals with the preparation of variety of medicaments and formulations that include Bhasmas, Kharaliya Rasayanas, Kupipakwa Rasayanas, etc. These sections of formulations also depend upon the different types of raw materials that are to be used in it as chief ingredients. Rasa Shastra has a vast and varied history of preparing these medicines and its safer use since thousands of years. Pishti is one such section of formulations that is chiefly used when the raw materials cannot tolerate heat but at the same time are very effective without heat treatment. In Rasa Shastra, mainly the drugs of animal origin or precious gems are subjected to levigation or trituration in a particular media to form a particular Pishti. The word Pishti literally means that which is finely triturated and made into a very fine powder similar to flour. Mukta Pishti, Prawal Pishti being some of the important examples.

No abstract

Fistula-in-ano is a chronic and troublesome disease encountered in general practice. It consists of 1.6% of all surgical admissions and leads to physical, psychological and social problems. The management includes various treatment modalities with variable outcomes. Ksharasutra is a medicated thread used in ano-rectal disorders particularly for the management of fistula-in-ano in Ayurveda. In this study Ksharasutra was prepared by Apamarga Kshara (Ash of Achyranthus aspera Linn.), Snuhi Ksheera (Euphorbia neriifolia Linn.) and turmeric powder (Curcuma longa Linn.). A patient with multiple fistula-in-ano was treated by application of Ksharasutra. This case study demonstrates the utility of Ksharasutra in Multiple Fistula-in ano.

Kupipakwa Rasayana is used as therapeutic agents in the Indian system of Medicine, Ayurveda. It is unique due to its method of preparation. Kupipakwa Rasayana are prepared in the specially designed device Valuka Yantra. Parada (Mercury) and Gandhaka (Sulphur) are the chief ingredients in this medicine along with other metals and minerals. These Kupipakwa Rasayana are used in the different disorders like Rajyakshma, Kushtha, Prameha, Arsha, Vatvikara etc. Here in the present study it was decided to screen and review its reported experimental efficacy studies. On screening, it was revealed that numerous Kupipakwa Rasayana showed significant anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, immune-modulatory, anti-hyperglycemic properties. The observed encouraging results shows the further scope for broad spectrum research era in Kupipakwa Rasayana.