Ayurveda a natural alternative?

Published 07 February 2020

Ayurveda is one of the ancient Indian traditional systems of medicine practiced over thousands of years. Rasashastra (an ancient Indian pharmaceutical science dealing with metals, minerals and ores) is one of the parts of Ayurveda that deals with metals/nonmetals/herbomineral preparations called as Bhasma. Bhasma, literally means ‘ash’ are inorganic preparations produced by alchemic process, which converts a metal or mineral into its compounds such as carbonates and oxides. The advantages of these preparations over plant preparations are their stability, lower therapeutic dose and potency.

 

The lack of validation of traditional medicines raises concerns on their authenticity. The Kukkutanda Tvak Bhasma (KTB) (incinerated hen egg shells) is one of the calcium-rich mineral medicinal formulations mentioned in Ayurveda. It is used to treat ailments such as Shweta Pradara (leukorrhea), Rakta Pradara (menorrhagia), Prameha (diabetes mellitus), Mutraroga (urinary tract infection) and Manasika Daurbalya (mental disorders). It also has the properties such as Rasayana (immunomodulation) and Balya (strength). The Bhasma were administered with milk as an Anupana. It is also used as a key ingredient in many patent drugs and proprietory.