E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Apakwa / Ashuddha

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 2 FEBRUARY
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Apakwa / Ashuddha Bhasma Sevanjanya Vyadhi and its Management

Jaiswal BK1*, Dwivedi PK2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.2.17

1* Bijay Kumar Jaiswal, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Govt Ayurvedic College, Patna, Bihar, India.

2 Prabhat Kumar Dwivedi, Professor, Dept of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Govt Ayurvedic College, Patna, Bihar, India.

In Rasashastra different processes are mentioned as - Shodhan, Marana, Patan, Jaran etc. under Aushadh Nirman. These processes are done for various Rasa, Uparasa, Sadharana Rasa, Ratna and Uparatnas. Many methods of Bhasma preparation are also mentioned as we know Bhasma is one of the unique Ayurvedic metallic preparations with herbal juices. Bhasmas are used in the treatment of various chronic diseases. Classical standardization techniques under Bhasma Pareeksha like Rekhapurnatwa, Nishchandratwa, Varitartwa, Unnama, Apunarbhava etc. are well mentioned in classical texts that are used to standardize the preparation. If proper precautions are not taken during preparation of Bhasmas, there may be chances of improper incineration, leading to the formation of Ashuddha Bhasma, which contains toxicity and can cause complications. Various management lines for Apakwa/Ashuddha Bhasma Sevanjanya Vyadhi have been mentioned in the text.

Keywords: Rasashastra, Ashuddha, Apakwa, Bhasma

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Bijay Kumar Jaiswal, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Govt Ayurvedic College, Patna, Bihar, India.
Email: 		Jaiswal BK, Dwivedi PK, Apakwa / Ashuddha Bhasma Sevanjanya Vyadhi and its Management. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(2):123-125.
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Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-01-11 2025-01-21 2025-02-01 2025-02-11 2025-02-25
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© 2025by Jaiswal BK, Dwivedi PKand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(2)123
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Bijay KJ et al. Apakwa / Ashuddha Bhasma Sevanjanya Vyadhi

Introduction

The Bhasmas are products of classical alchemy technique in the form of powder of organo- metallic compounds of certain metal and gems mostly oxides, made in an elaborate incineration process.

Methodology

BhasmaApakwa/ Ashuddha Bhasma Sevanjanya VyadhiManagement
AbhrakaKustha Roga, Ksaya Roga, Pandu Roga, Sotha, Pain in cardiac and flanks, Loss of appetite (Ay. Pra.2/103)
Lethal as Visa, Vajra, Sastra or Agni, Loss of appetite (R.P.Su.5/15)		Umaphala (Atshibeeja)- 3 days (Ras.J.Ni.2/1st chapter Page43)
VaikrantaKilasa, Daha, Parswapida, Pandu, Sotha (Ay.Pra.5/168)-
MaksikaAndhatwa, Kustha, Ksaya, Krmi Roga. (Rasarajasundara)
Netravikriti, Mandagani, Kustha, Halimak (R.T 21/6 )		Kulatha Kwatha or
Dadima Twak Kwatha (B.R.Ra.Su.Makshikaprakaran)
Vimala-Mesasringi Curna with Sarkara- 3 day (B.R.Ra.Su.Vimal Prakaran)
SilajatuDaha, Murcha, Bhram, Raktapitta, Sosha, Agnimandha, Vibhanda (Ay.Pra.4/105)Maricha Curna with Goghrita- 7 day (Ay.Pra.4/105)
SasyakaVaman, Bhram (Ay.Pra.4/39)Jambira Nimbu Rasa or Lajamanda- 3 day (B.R.R.Su. Tuttha P115)
CapalaManyastambha, Bhram, Visphota, Daha, Pradar, JadtaKshira with Shita (R.Sm.So.M.229/230)
KharparaVaman, Bhram (Ay.Pra.2/283)Gomutra – 7days (B.R.R.Su. P122)
GandhakaKustha, Jwara, Bhram, Pitta Vikara, Virya, Bala Nasa (Ay.Pra.2/18)
Citta-Vyakulata, Rakta Vikrtijanya Roga (R.T.8/5-6)		Goghrita with Kshira (B.R.R.Su. Gandhak P.57)
HartalaAyunasa, Vata Kapha Vikara, Prameha, Tapa, Spotha and Anga sankocha (R.R.S.3/69)Kusmanda Swarasa with Shita and Jiraka Curna (R.T.11/103)
ManahsilaAshmari, Mutrakrichha, Mandagni, Malbadhta (R.R.S. 3/92)Kshira with Madhu- 3 days (R.T.11/125)
Kankustha-Babul mula kwatha with Jiraka and Tankana (R.R.S. 3/117)
Gouripasana-Karwelak Swarasa
HingulaBhram, Prameha, Vibhram, Andhata, klama, Durbalta (R.T. 9/11)
Andhata, Klama, Bhram, Moha (Ay.Pra.2/73)		-
SwarnaBala and Virya nasa, Roga, Mrityu (R.R.S.5/19)-
RajatAyu, Sukra, Bala Nasa, Santap and Vidbandh (R.R.S 5/30)Sarkara with Madhu- 3days (R.Ra.Su.Raupya Prakaran)
TamraDaha, Sweda, Aruchi, Murcha, Kleda, Rechan, Vaman and Bhram (Ay.Pra.3/147)Dhaniya Swaras and Sita Pana- 3 days (B.R.R.Su.TamraPrakaranP74)
LauhaAyu, Bala, Kanti Nasa, Hridyapida, Krishta (R.R.S.5/146)Agastya Swaras and Vayavidang (Ay.Pra.3/230)
NagaPrameha, Kshaya, Kamala (Ay.Pra.3/188)
Kustha, Gulma, Pandu, Prameha, Aganimandhya, Bhagandar (Ay.Pra.3/189)		Swarna Bhasma and Haritiki with Shita- 3days (R.Ra.Su. Naga Prakaran)
VangaPrameha, Gulma, Hridya Roga, Shula, Arsha, Kasa, Swas, Vaman (Ay.Pra.3/154)Meshashringi with Shita- 3days (B.R.R.Su.Vang Prakaran P78)
YashadaPrameha, Ajeerna, Vaman, Bhram (R.Ra.Su.Yashad Prakaran)
Gulma, Prameha, Kshaya, Kustha (R.T.19/97)		Bala & Haritiki with Sugar- 3 days (R.Ra.Su. Yashad Prakaran)
PittalBhram, Arsha, Bhagandar, Jwara, Mrityu (R.Ra.Su.Mishradathu Prakaran)-
VajraParswavedna, Kustha, Jwara, Bhram (R.T.23/09)-
TankanaVanti (Vaman), Bhranti (Bhram) (Ay.Pra.2/244)-

Discussion

Bhasma formation is basically reduction in particle size. Before starting the process (Bhasmikaran), all the given metals and gems should be properly purified.

Shodhan procedures help in the disintegration of molecules or particles to divide into finest divisions. Bhavana helps in conversion of coarse powder to finer state, it also facilitates Marana. Marana is responsible for feasible change. As the number of Puta are increased there is decrease in size of particles this applies up to a certain extent.


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Bijay KJ et al. Apakwa / Ashuddha Bhasma Sevanjanya Vyadhi

Swarnadiloha Marana with Rasa Bhasma is considered as superior quality, Marana with Vanaspati is of medium quality and if Maran done with Gandhak is considered as lower quality. Metals or minerals are first treated with herbal juices or decoctions then they are made into pellets and finally exposed to a certain amount of heat technically known as Puta. For the prepration of Swarna and Rajata Bhasma Kukkuta Puta is given, Gajaputa for Loha Bhasma, Mahaputa for Abharaka Bhasma, Kukkuta Puta for Naga and Vanga and Tivragni (using wood) for Tamra Bhasma.

Dhatu Bhasma colour as Swarna Bhasma is of Champaka (yellowish), Rajata Bhasma is of Krsna (black), Kamsya Bhasma is of Dhusara (smoky), Naga Bhasma is of Kapota (ashy), Vanga Bhasma is of Sweta (white), Tiksna Loha Bhasma is of Pakwa Jambuphala (blackish) and Abhraka Bhasma is of Istika (brick red). When the Bhasma is properly prepared, we have to do all the Bhasma Pareeksha mentioned in the Samhita like- Apunarbhava Bhasma Pareeksha, Niruttha Bhasma Pareeksha, Rekhapurnatwa, Varitara Bhasma Pareeksha etc. all this helps in the determination of Bhasma formation. If the mentioned Pareeksha is not up to the mark then we have to again continue the process till all the Bhasma Pareeksha are achieved. During preparation of Bhasma there are chances of formation of Ashuddha and Apakwa Bhasma. Administration of such a type of Bhasma may cause many Roga (Disease) and even lead to death also. Management of Apakwa/Ashuddha Bhasma Sevanjanya Vyadhi should be done properly. Though in Samhita Acharya had mentioned different Shodhan, Marana process to prepare Bhasma in view of nullify its harmful effect also as- in the process of Gandhak Shodhan Ghee and milk are used and also same is used to treat Ashuddha, Apakwa Gandhak Bhasma Sevanjanya Vyadhi. In the process of Hartala Shodhan we use Kushmanda Swarasa and the same is used for the management of Ashuddha, Apakwa Hartala Bhasma Sevanjanya Vyadhi.

Conclusion

A lot of precautionary measures have been mentio. in text for formation of standard Bhasma. However, despite these measures, Ashuddha and Apakwa Bhasma may still exist in system, causing various diseases, sometimes even fatal.

Therefore, while preparing Bhasma, one should follow all the steps properly and conduct all necessary Bhasma Pareeksha tests before using it. Additionally, proper management and treatment should be provided when any symptoms occur.

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