Background: Rasa Shastra, an ancient Indian alchemical tradition, has been a rich source of pharmaceutical wisdom for centuries. This esoteric science focuses on transforming metals and minerals into potent medicinal agents, harnessing their bioactive properties to address various health concerns. The pharmaceutical methods described in classical texts are highly sophisticated and aim to transform raw materials into more bioassimilable forms. These preparations are characterized by their rapid action, high potency, minimal dosage, and long shelf life. In recent years, there has been growing interest in revisiting Rasa Shastra formulations using modern analytical tools to ensure safety, efficacy, and standardization. Despite concerns about heavy metal toxicity, properly processed drugs have demonstrated promising results in various chronic and degenerative diseases. Therefore, understanding and standardizing the pharmaceutical procedures of Rasa Shastra is essential for integrating these classical formulations into contemporary healthcare. Purpose: The pharmaceutical aspects of Rasa Shastra involve the meticulous preparation and processing of these metallic and mineral substances to create efficacious remedies. This study has highlighted the method of preparation of STB and demonstrated its classical and modern analytical parameters to ensure standard quality. Materials and Methods: STB is prepared by the Kupipakwa method in a vertical electric muffle furnace (EMF) as per the reference of Rasendra Chudamani . The Bhasma was subjected to classical Ayurvedic quality tests, including Rekhapurnatva , Varitaratva , and Curd test, and elemental analysis was also conducted using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: The prepared Bhasma was black, tasteless, odorless, and the final yield was 38.96%. The classical parameters, Rekhapurnata, Varitara , and the curd test were found positive. The elemental analysis reveals Cu 11.59%, mercury 9.1776, arsenic 8.7325, and iron 0.2075%. The sulfur content was found 14.59%. Conclusion: STB prepared by EMF is one of the easy and budget-friendly methods. ICP-MS shows Cu in major amounts and Fe is also present in traces. The XRD peaks reveals bhasma contains mixture of sulphides and oxides of copper.
Kaur et al. (Wed,) studied this question.