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In Ayurvedic medicine rasaśāstra (रसशास्त्र), refers to processes by which various metals, minerals and other substances, including most notably mercury, are purified and combined with herbs in an attempt to treat illnesses.[1][2] Rasashastra is a pharmaceutical branch of Indian system of medicine which mainly deals with the metals, minerals, product of animal origin, toxic herbs and their use in therapeutics.[3]

Origin

The development of rasashastra as a stream of classical Ayurveda is credited to 5th centruy Buddhist philosopher Nāgārjuna.[4]

Methods

The methods of rasashastra are contained in a number of Ayurvedic texts, including the Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita. An important feature is the use of metals, including several that are toxic. In addition to mercury, gold, silver, iron, copper, tin, lead, zinc and bell metal are used. In addition to these metals, salts and other substances such as coral, seashells, and feathers are also used.[5]

The usual means used to administer these substances is by preparations called bhasma, Sanskrit for "ash". Calcination, which is described in the literature of the art as shodhana, "purification", is the process used to prepare these bhasma for administration. Sublimation and the preparation of a mercury sulfide are also in use in the preparation of its materia medica. A variety of methods are used to achieve this. One involves the heating of thin sheets of metal and then immersing them in oil (taila), extract (takra), cow urine (gomutra) and other substances.[6] Others are calcined in crucibles heated with fires of cow dung (puttam).[7] Ayurvedic practitioners believe that this process of purification removes undesirable qualities and enhances their therapeutic power.[8]

Toxicity

Modern medicine finds that mercury is inherently toxic, and that its toxicity is not due to the presence of impurities. While mercury does have anti-microbial properties, and used to be widely used in Western medicine, its toxicity does not warrant the risk of using it as a health product in most circumstances.[9] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also reported a number of cases of lead poisoning associated with Ayurvedic medicine.[10] Other incidents of heavy metal poisoning have been attributed to the use of rasashastra compounds in the United States, and arsenic has also been found in some of the preparations, which have been marketed in the United States under trade names such as "AyurRelief", "GlucoRite", "Acnenil", "Energize", "Cold Aid", and "Lean Plus".[11]

Ayurvedic practitioners claim that these reports of toxicity are due to failure to follow traditional practices in the mass production of these preparations for sale,[12] however there is ample evidence of mercury and lead toxicity. The government of India has ordered that Ayurvedic products must specify their metallic content directly on the labels of the product;[13] however, M. S. Valiathan noted that "the absence of post-market surveillance and the paucity of test laboratory facilities [in India] make the quality control of Ayurvedic medicines exceedingly difficult at this time."[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Rasa Shastra – Freedom Vidya". Shrifreedom.org. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012.
  2. ^ Mishra, Lakshmi C. (2003). Scientific Basis for Ayurvedic Therapies. CRC Press. ISBN 9780203498583.
  3. ^ Savrikar, S; Ravishankar, B (15 July 2011). "Introduction to 'Rasashaastra'- The Iatrochemistry of Ayurveda". African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 8 (5S): 66–82. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.1. ISSN 0189-6016. PMC 3252715. PMID 22754059.
  4. ^ Savrikar, SS; Ravishankar, B (2011). "Introduction to 'Rasashaastra' the Iatrochemistry of Ayurveda". African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 8 (5 Suppl): 66–82. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.1. PMC 3252715. PMID 22754059.
  5. ^ Mishra, p. 86
  6. ^ Mishra, pp. 86–88
  7. ^ Mishra, pp. 87–88
  8. ^ Mishra, pp. 88
  9. ^ Toxicological Profile for Mercury. U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. March 1999
  10. ^ "Lead Poisoning Associated with Ayurvedic Medications – Five States, 2000–2003". Cdc.gov. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  11. ^ Hammett-Stabler, Catherine A. (2011) Herbal Supplements: Efficacy, Toxicity, Interactions with Western Drugs, and Effects on Clinical Laboratory Tests. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 202–205. ISBN 0-470-43350-7
  12. ^ Hammett-Stabler, Catherine A. (2011) Herbal Supplements: Efficacy, Toxicity, Interactions with Western Drugs, and Effects on Clinical Laboratory Tests. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 205–206. ISBN 0-470-43350-7
  13. ^ a b Valiathan, M. S. (2006). "Ayurveda: Putting the House in Order". Current Science. 90 (1): 5–6.


See also

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