PREPRATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HERBO-MINERAL BHASMA (NYCTANTHES ARBOR-TRISTIS)

Adiya Kumar, *Nidhi Chaudhary, Krati, Dr. Esha Vatsa, Dr. Amandeep Singh

Metals are used in Ayurveda and other Indian medical systems, although their use dates back to 2500 B.C. in Chinese and Egyptian civilizations. Known in the Indian subcontinent since the 7th century A.D., Bhasma is a special ayurvedic metallic/mineral preparation that is treated with herbal juice or decoction and exposed for Ayurveda, which is widely recommended for the treatment of a variety of chronic conditions. Bhasma is typically supplied as animal derivatives, including horns, shells, feathers, metallic and nonmetallic substances, and herbals. A Bhasma is an ash that is produced by burning; the starting material goes through a complex purification process, which is followed by the reaction phase, which includes adding additional minerals and/or herbal extract. Maintaining optimal alkalinity for optimal health and neutralizing toxic acids that cause illness are just two of Bhasma's many benefits. Since Bhasma is not metabolized, it breaks down heavy metals in the body instead of producing any detrimental metabolites. Parpati, rasayoga, sindora, and other techniques are used to prepare Bhasma. Bhasma that contains Fe, Cu, or S, or other manufacturing processes, contributes in a particular way to the end product or products. Significantly smaller particles (1-2 μ) may make it easier for the medicine to be absorbed and assimilated into the human system. Bhasma must be standardized in order to verify its authenticity and assess the product's quality, safety, efficacy, and acceptance. However, the most significant issue with these formulations is that they are not fully standardized by physiochemical criteria. The area of Ayurveda known as Rasa-Shastra focuses on providing a thorough description of metallic and nonmetallic substances as well as goods derived from animals in order to convert them into dosage forms.