Bhasma are very fine ayurvedic medicinal powders prepared by the process of calcination of metals, minerals and natural stones or gem. The calcination is a process of heating metals, minerals, etc. on a high temperature to convert them into their oxides. Bhasma are manufactured with a series of preparation methods involving detoxification of raw materials, grinding them with herbal juices, making small pieces, drying, and heating. The gradual process of preparation may continue for a week to 3 years. The end-product of these long term preparation methods are residues of metals and minerals. Bhasma are also called ashes or calcined preparations.
- Selection of raw material
- Identification of purity
- Washing and cleaning
- Grinding and making fine powders
- Mixing with herbal juices or herbs
- Again grinding with herbal juices for 10 to 100 hours
- Making paste, then making small pieces
- Keeping the small pieces to dry up
- When small pieces are dehydrated, then putting them in earthen pots
- The materials are then heated up under high temperature to make bhasma.
- Again, step no. 5 to 10 are repeated until the metal or mineral gains the properties of bhasma.
Uses of Bhasma
There are different kinds of bhasma prepared and used in ayurveda. Each has its specific indications, properties and healing characteristics. Generally, most of them are used in the treatment of chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, infertility, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, ulcer, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory diseases, psoriasis, eczema, depression, bipolar disorder, cancer, tuberculosis, hormonal problems etc.
Due to the extensive labor used in the bhasma making, they are generally expensive ayurvedic medicines. The cost depends on the numbers of puta (heating process) and cost of raw material. For example, gold is used to make swarna bhasma, so it is very costly and godanti bhasma is chief because the number of puta are less as compared 1000 puta abhrak bhasma.
List of Bhasma
A complete list of bhasma used in Ayurveda is given underneath:
- Abhrak bhasma
- Akik bhasma
- Aviltoladi Bhasma Ganji
- Godanti bhasma
- Gomed Mani (Stone) Bhasma & Pishti
- Hajrul Yahood Bhasma (Sange yahood Bhasma)
- Heerak Bhasma – Heera or Vajra Bhasma
- Kansya Bhasma (Kansa Bhasma or Bell Metal Bhasma)
- Kanta loha bhasma
- Kasis Bhasma
- Kasis Godanti Bhasma
- Kukkutanda twak bhasma (Processed Eggshell Calcium)
- Loha Bhasma
- Mandur Bhasma
- Mukta Bhasma
- Muktasukti Bhasma & Mukta Shukti Pishti
- Panaviraladi Bhasma
- Roupya (Rajat) Bhasma (Silver Ash)
- Shankh Bhasma (Shankha Bhasm)
- Shringa Bhasma (Shrung Bhasma)
- Swarna Bhasma
- Tamra Bhasma
- Yashad bhasma or Jasad Bhasma
- Jahar mohra Bhasma
- Trivanga (tribang) Bhasma
- Naga Bhasma
- Neel mani (neelam) Bhasma
- Neelanjana Bhasma
- Parwal Bhasma
- Parad Bhasma
- Piroja Bhasma
- Peetal Bhasma
- Pukhraj Bhasma
- Madhu mandur Bhasma
- Mandoor Mashik Bhasma
- Mala Bhasma
- Manikya Bhasma
- Rajavart Bhasma
- Bang (Vanga) Bhasma
- Vart Loha Bhasma
- Varatika Bhasma
- Vaikranta Bhasma
- Vaidoor Bhasma
- Shambuk Bhasma
- Shubhra Bhasma
- Sangeyasab Bhasma
- Swarna Makshik Bhasma
- Swastik Mani Bhasma
- Hartal Bhasma
- Harital Godanti Bhasma
There are other types of bhasma used in Ayurveda. The above list is an example of bhasma used for the treatment of the various diseases.
[Read More at www.themodernvedic.com]
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