The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (Mineral and Metals Volume- X, Part-1)

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Awareness on quality standards of Ayurvedic medicines is increasing with the demand for these products worldwide Acceptance of these products amongst the masses is directly dependent on the compliance with the quality standards. Therefore, it is essential to have scientific standards for identity, purity and strength of these medicines Ministry of Ayush Government of India is constantly working to bring out the quality standards of various drugs in ASU&H systems of medicine. At present, quality standards of 645 single drugs used in Ayurvedic medicines have been published.

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part-1, nine volumes are compilations of monographs on single drugs commonly used in the practice of Ayurveda. This Tenth volume of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I consisting of 20 monographs is in continuation of the seventh volume of API wherein 21 monographs on metals and minerals used in Ayurveda were published.

Metals and minerals are used in Ayurvedic preparations after the detailed Shodhan (detoxification) process described in Ayurvedic classics Genuine basic raw materials are essential for high-quality medicines. This Volume describes comprehensive tests and parameters for determining the authenticity of raw materials. This Volume will be vital for the pharmaceutical industry and Ayurvedic drug laboratories in order to ensure the quality of drugs containing metals/minerals. Academicians, scientists, and researchers working in this field will benefit from this publication as well.

I am pleased to present the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Part-1, Vol.-X comprising of 20 monographs of quality standards of metals and minerals used in Ayurvedic medicines. This Volume is the result of the untiring efforts of the expert members of erstwhile Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Committee (APC), Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Pharmacopoeia Committee (PC), Ayurvedic Sub-Committee, Scientists of Pharmacopoeia Commission for (PCIM&H), and experts from different organizations of National repute.

Indian Medicine national repute. and Homoeopathy I place on record my appreciation and best wishes to the entire team for their dedication and excellent efforts in accomplishing this task.

Rasashastra is a branch of Ayurveda pharmaceutics specially dealing with the miners metals, precious stones certain poisonous herts and their processing Rasashasta has enriched Indian pharmacopoeia by adding innumerate herbo-mineral formulanes Number of elements and minerals have been included in the form of Rasaushadhis Rasashastra highlighted efficacy of these Rasaushadhis to cure the ailments and rejuvenate the body The word composed of two words rasa and ayana Rasa means responsible for sustenance of means specific measures uses for obtaining rasa and responsible for longevity asayanals Ayana Use of metallic preparations in healthcare is a unique feature of Ayurvedic system m Processed metals including Mercury Gold, Silver, Lead Zinc, Copper etc are being used very frequently by seers of the Indian tradition in different disease conditions with great story These metals are detoxified by the specific manufacturing processes as described in Rasashastra classic texts Charaka Samhita is one of the scheduled books of Ayurveda that holds ample of references regarding the use of metals/minerals for different purposes.

The detoxification of metals and minerals involves various steps like Shodhana (purification) Marana (incineration) and Bhasmkarana (calcination) which enables these substances to be easily absorbed in the body During the above said procedures the metals and minerals are also processed with various herbs at different stages which enhance their property and help in their therapeutic action Rasaushadhis are quick acting efficacious in lower dose, have long shelf life and are easily palatable There is a view in the general public that since Rasaushadhis contain metals minerals mercury and other such substances, they are poisonous. However, it is to be understood that Rasaushadhis are prepared only after proper prescribed purification methods. The substances are subjected to various standard operating procedures before being made into medicines. They are to be taken exclusively under the guidance of the registered Ayurvedic physicians and for a limited period of time as prescribed Proper adjuvants and diets have also been suggested during the treatment regime for enhancing the efficacy and minimizing the toxic effects of these medicines.

This volume of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is a compilation of 20 monographs of priority metals and minerals used in Ayurvedic practice. In preparing the monographs the title of each drug had been given in Sanskrit as mentioned in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India. Then comes the definition, physical properties/Explanations of Geological Technical terms-Terminology used in Pharmacopoeial Monographs and methods of determination of the drug giving its identity in scientific nomenclature and very brief information about its source, occurrence distribution and precautions in collection if any, etc. The monographs then record the Definitions and Methods of determination of different optical parameters followed by Chemical properties along with qualitative chemical tests of minerals by Blow pipe method. Apart from this, the distinct photographs of all included materials are exhibited The Legal Notices and General Notices have been given for guidance of the analysts the Pharmaceutical suppliers and manufactures and the research workers engaged in this field Details about the apparatus, reagents and solutions, tests, methods of preparation of specimens for microscopic examinations, etc have been given in the Appendices.

**Contents and Sample Pages**