ABSTRACT

Ayurveda pharmaceutics deals with a segment termed rasashastra, where drugs of varied origin viz. minerals, metals, gemstones, marine products are employed in designing of various formulations. For suitability, these drugs are categorized into different groups namely Maharasa, Uparasa, Sadharana rasa, etc. Shilajatu (Black bitumen) is one of the rasa dravya grouped under Maharasa. As in rasashastra most of the dravya are mineral origin drugs (inorganic composition), shilajatu is also considered the same. Different texts of rasashastra have explained varieties of shilajatu and it is said to be an exudate from shila (rocks) that appears like jatu (lac like substance). Based on the region and mountainous area it is collected from, the appearance and the composition varies. The recent researches have put light that it is a combination of organic elements and inorganic substances. Enormous content relating to shilajatu is available in the treatises of rasashastra but it still remains a drug of ambiguity. Keywords: Shilajatu, Black bitumen, Maharasa, Ayurveda pharmaceutics
Publication date: 01/06/2023

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2023/June/MS_IJBPAS_2023_7223.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2023/12.6.7223