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Gandhaka (गन्धकः) means Sulphur in English. It is a chemical element with atomic number 16 and chemical formula 'S'. In Ayurveda's [[Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)]], this element is used widely in medicinal formulations. In Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्) treatises, various details about sulphur like appearance, types, purification, processing, use in medicinal formulations etc has been discussed in depth. Although sulfa drugs are popularly used antibiotics and represent therapeutic use of Sulphur in western medicine, the nature and form in which sulphur in utilized in Ayurvedic medicines is completely different and it has been in practice since many thousand years before the western medicine used it as antibiotic.

Though it is a non-metal, ancient Indian alchemists studied about this element at length, its ores, availability and properties and its role in curing physical decay, skin diseases and senility has been in use in Ayurveda. Texts such as Arthashastra have 

== पर्यायाः Alternative names of Gandhaka used in Ayurveda ==

 

== पर्यायाः ॥ Synonyms of Gandhaka used in Ayurveda ==

# Gauripushpa (गौरीपुष्पः)

# Gauripushpa (गौरीपुष्पः)

# balivasa (बलिवसा)

# Balivasa (बलिवसा)

# Lelitaka (लेलितक)

# Lelitaka (लेलितक)

# Atigandha (अतिगन्धः)

# Atigandha (अतिगन्धः)

# Sugandha (सुगन्धः)

# Sugandha (सुगन्धः)

== इतिहासः History ==

== इतिहासः ॥ History ==

The knowledge of Indians about sulfur is very ancient. In the oldest and most popular treatise of Ayurveda "[[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)]]" which was written 1200 years before Christ, sulfur has been used at many places for the treatment of many diseases. Its use has increased in texts written in later times. In the texts after the 8th century, Parada (पारदः Mercury) was mixed with Gandhaka and used in medicines and in Dhatuvada (धातुवाद) or metallurgical work. Since then till today no metal work is done without sulphur. The name Shulbari etc. is the symbol of Sulphur being the enemy of copper. If copper is heated by mixing sulphur, then copper gets destroyed.

The knowledge of Indians about sulfur is very ancient. In the oldest and most popular treatise of Ayurveda [[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)]] which was written 1200 years before Christ, sulfur has been used at many places for the treatment of many diseases. Its use has increased in texts written in later times. In the texts after the 8th century, Parada (पारदः Mercury) was mixed with Gandhaka and used in medicines and in Dhatuvada (धातुवाद) or metallurgical work. Since then till today no metal work is done without sulphur. The name Shulbari etc. is the symbol of Sulphur being the enemy of copper. If copper is heated by mixing sulphur, then copper gets destroyed.

== स्वरूपम् Appearance ==

== स्वरूपम् Appearance ==

== गन्धकभेदाः Sulfur Types ==

== गन्धकभेदाः Sulfur Types ==

Ayurveda scholars have described various types of Gandhaka. It is classified on the basis of color, mode of consumption or utilization etc. Depending on its colour the supremacy of the gandhaka type and its value based on it has been decided. Gandhaka types are thus further also graded into Good, better, best types. From a philosophical point of view, sulfur is the same but there are many differences of sulfur in shape, color etc.   

Ayurveda scholars have described various types of Gandhaka. It is classified on the basis of color, mode of consumption or utilization etc. Depending on its colour the supremacy of the gandhaka type and its value based on it has been decided. Gandhaka types are thus further also graded into good, better, best types. From a philosophical point of view, sulfur is the same but there are many differences of sulfur in shape, color etc.   

Types of Sulphur based on colour  

Four types of Sulphur based on colour<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />

# Rakta - Red in color. Also known as Shukatundanibha i.e. of the color of Parrot's beak.  This type is considered the best one and utilized chiefly in Dhatuvada (Metallurgy)

# '''Rakta''' - Red in color. Also known as Shukatundanibha i.e. of the color of Parrot's beak.  This type is considered the best one and utilized chiefly in Dhatuvada (Metallurgy)

# Peeta - Yellow in color. Also known as aamalsara or Shukapichhanibha i.e of the color of tail of parrot.  This type is commonly used in medicine.

# '''Peeta''' - Yellow in color. Also known as aamlasara or Shukapichhanibha i.e of the color of tail of parrot.  This type is commonly used in medicine.

# Shweta - Also known as Khatika type which is white in color. It is of inferior quality.  

# '''Shweta''' - Also known as Khatika type which is white in color. It is of inferior quality.

# Krshna - It is said to be the rarest type of Gandhaka.  

# '''Krshna''' - It is said to be the rarest type of Gandhaka.

Form of Gandhaka which is considered best for use in Medicine

Form of Gandhaka which is considered best for use in Medicine

== Physical Properties of Sulphur ==

== Physical Properties of Sulphur ==

Sulfur is a yellow colored gem-shaped hard substance which shatters to pieces. It emits a special type of smell which becomes very intense in contact with fire. The gas emanating from it, called sulfur dioxide, is suffocating and gives shortness of breath. The melting point of sulfur is 115°C and it becomes thick at 230°C. On increasing the temperature, its color changes to the color of Nar. But it turns yellow again at higher temperatures above 500°C, its boiling point is 444°C. Its relative density is 2.06, it is insoluble in water.<ref>Mishra S. Textbook of Ayurvediya rasashstra.  Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan. Edition Pg 348-54</ref>

Sulfur is a yellow colored gem-shaped hard substance which shatters to pieces. It emits a special type of smell which becomes very intense in contact with fire. The gas emanating from it, called sulfur dioxide, is suffocating and gives shortness of breath. The melting point of sulfur is 115°C and it becomes thick at 230°C. On increasing the temperature, its color changes to the color of Nar. But it turns yellow again at higher temperatures above 500°C, its boiling point is 444°C. Its relative density is 2.06, it is insoluble in water.<ref name=":1">Mishra S. Textbook of Ayurvediya rasashstra.  Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan. Edition Pg 348-54</ref>

== Use of Sulphur ==

== Uses of Sulphur ==

Sulphur is used for multiple purposes in different industries. Few common uses of sulphur apart from medicinal use are listed below,

Sulphur is used for multiple purposes in different industries. Few common uses of sulphur apart from medicinal use are listed below,