A Synoptic Overview on Ancient Alchemy Sudha Varg (Calcium-Containing Drugs)
Saurabh Singh, Simranjeet Kaur, Dileep Singh Baghel, Nitika Anand, Sakshi Sabharwal, Vibhu Khanna, Arun Kumar, Iqbaljit Kaur · 2020
Nowadays, the advent of engineered nanoparticles has led to nanomedicine and nanotechnology receiving growing importance in the healthcare system, which is alarming due to their possible harmful and side effects. An ancient nanomedicine Bhasma) throws light on the safer uses of current nanomedicines for living beings and the environment. The use of metallic and mineral bhasmas is a very common practice in Ayurveda. Presently, attempts are being made to emphasize upon the concept of bhasmas prepared from a specific class, Sudha varg (Calcium drugs), which belong to Rasa Shastra (Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics). In the present era, calcium is an important part of our daily nutrition. Nowadays, calcium drugs are available in the form of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, as well as medicines. Bhasma of Sudha varg, literally meaning ash, is a unique Ayurvedic herbo-mineral compound, usually of the size 10–100▒nm, as established by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. These are products of classical Indian alchemy, the “Ayurvediya Rasa Shastra,” used for treating diverse chronic ailments. The essence of mineral-based drugs is that they function best when converted from their original mineral state to oxide state. Methods for Bhasma preparation include parpati, rasayoga, sindora, etc. Bhasmas of sudha varg, i.e. shankh, praval, mukta sukti etc., are important sources of natural calcium.