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{{NeedCitation}}Rasashastra (Samskrit रसशास्त्रम्) deals with Indian alchemy. The term 'Rasa-shastra' literally means “Science of Mercury”. Apart from its primary domain of alchemy, it is also one of the most popular sections of Ayurveda medicine which includes use of mineral and animal sourced medicinal substances. Rasashstra provides knowledge about methods to purify and modify these substances and make them bio-compatible, safe and effective as medicines. Various plant and animal derived substances are used in specific processing techniques in order to carry out these changes in raw drugs. The medicinal substances obtained in this way have extensive therapeutic utility, instantaneous efficacy with smaller dosage.  

{{NeedCitation}}

Rasashastra (Samskrit रसशास्त्रम्) is one of the most popular sections of Ayurveda medicine which deals with use of mineral and animal sourced medicinal substances. Rasashastra offers knowledge about methods for design, preparation, purification of these substances, their formulation methods and ways to make them bio-compatible, safe and effective as medicines. The term 'Rasa-shastra' literally means “Science of Mercury” since the purified and extensively processed mercury is one of the majorly used substance in Rasashastra. Various plant and animal derived substances are used in specific processing techniques in order to carry out desired changes in raw drugs. The medicinal substances obtained in this classical way have extensive therapeutic utility, safety and instantaneous efficacy with smaller dosage.  

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Medicines used in Ayurveda are sourced from plants, metals, minerals or animals. As per the principles of Ayurveda, there is not a single substance in the Universe which does not have a potential to be used as a drug, provided it is used judiciously by the learned vaidya (वैद्यः) at right place. The most valued classical treatises of Ayurveda the Brihatrayee (बृहत्रयी) and [[Laghutrayee (लघुत्रयी)|Laghutrayee]] (लघुत्रयी) mainly focus on use of plant derived medicines. However, some instances of use of medicinal substances derived from metals and animals are found at places. Development of Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्) took place in later times and use of metal, mineral and animal derived substances then became popular part in Ayurveda's pharmacotherapeutics.

Medicines used in Ayurveda are sourced from plants, metals, minerals or animals. As per the principles of Ayurveda, there is not a single substance in the Universe which does not have a potential to be used as a drug, provided it is used judiciously by the learned [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|vaidya]] (वैद्यः) at right place. The most valued classical treatises of Ayurveda the Brihatrayee (बृहत्रयी) and [[Laghutrayee (लघुत्रयी)|Laghutrayee]] (लघुत्रयी) mainly focus on use of plant derived medicines. However, some instances of use of medicinal substances derived from metals and animals are found at places. Development of Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्) took place in later times and use of metal, mineral and animal derived substances then became popular part in Ayurveda's pharmacotherapeutics.

== द्रव्यप्रकाराः॥Medicines used in Ayurveda ==

== द्रव्यप्रकाराः॥Medicines used in Ayurveda ==

Ayurveda makes use of 3 types of medicinal substances classified as below on the basis of their source. <ref /> (Savrikar SS, Ravishankar B. Introduction to 'Rasashaastra' the Iatrochemistry of Ayurveda. ''Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med''. ;8(5 Suppl):66–82. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.1)

Ayurveda makes use of 3 types of medicinal substances classified as below on the basis of their source.<ref>Savrikar SS, Ravishankar B. Introduction to 'Rasashaastra' the Iatrochemistry of Ayurveda. ''Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med''. ;8(5 Suppl):66–82. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.1</ref>

# औद्भिद Audbhid : Plant derived substances e.g. leaves, barks, roots, stems, fruits, seeds, shoots etc. of herbs

# औद्भिद Audbhid : Plant derived substances e.g. leaves, barks, roots, stems, fruits, seeds, shoots etc. of herbs

# जाङ्‍गम Jangama : Animal derived substances e.g. milk, meat, blood, urine

# जाङ्‍गम Jangama : Animal derived substances e.g. milk, meat, blood, urine

# पार्थिव Parthiva : Metals and minerals derived substances e.g. Mercury, Sulfur, Iron, gold, silver, Arsenic etc.

# पार्थिव Parthiva : Metals and minerals derived substances e.g. Mercury, Sulfur, Iron, gold, silver, Arsenic etc.

Although the raw material from preparation of various medicinal formulations is obtained from these varied resources, it is used in medicines only after these undergo rigorous processing methods known as 'Samskaras' to remove their undesired and hazardous effects and enhance the organic nature to make them bio-compatible. <ref /> (Gandhi, Piyush. (2014). Marana-As a Bio-nanotechnology of Ayurveda. Research and Reviews: Journal of Ayurvedic Science, Yoga and Naturopathy. 1. 12-18.)

Although the raw material from preparation of various medicinal formulations is obtained from these varied resources, it is used in medicines only after these undergo rigorous processing methods known as 'Samskaras' to remove their undesired and hazardous effects and enhance the organic nature to make them bio-compatible.<ref>Gandhi, Piyush. (2014). Marana-As a Bio-nanotechnology of Ayurveda. Research and Reviews: Journal of Ayurvedic Science, Yoga and Naturopathy. 1. 12-18.</ref>

== रसशास्त्रस्य इतिहास History of Rasashstra ==

== रसशास्त्रस्य इतिहास History of Rasashstra ==

# Mrigashringa - Deer antlers

# Mrigashringa - Deer antlers

# Kurmaprishtha- Turtle shell

# Kurmaprishtha- Turtle shell

Apart from these exclusively animal derived substances, few substances which have animal as well as mineral origin like Shankha (Conch shell), Pravala  (Coral), Mukta (Pearl), Mukta shukti (Pearl oyster shell) are also widely discussed and commonly used in practice of Ayurvediya medicine. Many of these substances have calcium as compound in form of salt thus they have been grouped together. This class of substances is known as 'Sudha varga' in Rasashstra. <ref /> (Dasari et al. Therapeutic potentials of Sudha varga Vis a vis Calcium compounds- A review, IRJP 2012; 3 (10))

Apart from these exclusively animal derived substances, few substances which have animal as well as mineral origin like Shankha (Conch shell), Pravala  (Coral), Mukta (Pearl), Mukta shukti (Pearl oyster shell) are also widely discussed and commonly used in practice of Ayurvediya medicine. Many of these substances have calcium as compound in form of salt thus they have been grouped together. This class of substances is known as 'Sudha varga' in Rasashstra. <ref>Dasari et al. Therapeutic potentials of Sudha varga Vis a vis Calcium compounds- A review, IRJP 2012; 3 (10)</ref>

== रसशास्त्रे संस्काराः॥ Samskaras in Rasashastra ==

== रसशास्त्रे संस्काराः॥ Samskaras in Rasashastra ==