Rasa Shastra

Amongst the many concepts of ayurveda the concept of Rasashastra is one of the prime importance which helps in the management of different diseases. Ras in Ayurveda is taken as Parada i.e mercury. Our brilliant Acharyas used parada (mercury) to cure several diseases only after proper Shodhana and maran i.e purification and sterlisation. The historical origin of Rasa Shastra evidenced from Buddha period. Rasa Shastra is believed to have come about in 6th or 7th century A.D. Buddhist scholar, great Nargarjuna is considered the first to use mercury and to have been instrumental in the propagation of Rasavidya.  Rasashastra deals with Rasaushadis (herbo-mineral preparations) while Bhaishajyakalpana deals with KastaAushadhi (herbal preparations). All classical text, in particular Charakasamhita, Sushrutasamhita, Sharangadharasamhita, Kashyapasamhita etc. have described details of science of posology. Bhasmas of one some of the preparations coming under Rasa vidya consists of Swarna Bhasma, Rajata Bhasma, Tamra Bhasma, Parada Bhasma, Abhraka Bhasma, are some of the bhasmas commonly used.  Dose is most important in any prescription but should be more specific in herbo-mineral preparations because of its very high potency and it will lead to toxicity if given in high quantity. The three aspects as Matra, Desha and Kala are playing individually major role in context of health and illness. If it is used properly in appropriate dose, it cures diseases. But if used in excess, it may harm body or excreted unused, if used in low dose, may not be capable to cure the disease.

Majority of people believe that the effect of Ayurvedic medicines is slow compared to modern medicine. Creating awareness of use of Rasa Aushadhis in serious health conditions from systemic disorders to carcinomas may disperse this myth. Moreover, if the drug is administered under strict supervision apparently the rate of side effects will be almost nill. The purification procedures reduce toxicity of metals while increasing medicinal value. Good command in Sanskrit language would help Ayurveda practitioners to interpret original Rasa Shastra texts written in Sanskrit. There is an urgency to re-validate the Ayurveda theories and concepts from Samhitas with focused collaborative efforts between Sanskrit Scholars and Ayurveda Scholars. This will also help a tons of Ayurveda practioners to reduce the stigma of use and side-effects of Ras Aushadhis.

In most of the western studies, metallic drugs were subjected to chemical examination using standards applied in modern medicine, focussing only on the metallic content. No works are reported on clinical or pharmacological aspects by them. The chemical forms of the metallic preparations were never thought to be attempted.

The number of cases with adverse reactions with the use of metallic preparations is very few worldwide against the use of thousands of consumers. While reports with synthetic drugs are very frequent, that appears throughout the world. In such instances, labelling the traditional practices or metallic preparations as toxic is not appropriate.