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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.  

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Rasashastra (Samskrit रसशास्त्रम्) is one of the most popular pharmaceutical branch of Ayurveda medicine which deals with preparation of medicinal formulations containing mineral and animal sourced substances. It is also called as Iatrochemistry of Ayurveda. The branch of Rasashastra offers knowledge on methods of 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. Entire science of Rasaashastra deals with use of processing techniques and methods to modify the bio-chemical and physical properties of the metal, mineral or animal origin  substances. These alchemy methods make Rasashastra exclusive pharmaceutical branch and attract many people towards it. The medicinal substances obtained in classical way as described in Rasashastra have extensive therapeutic utility, safety and instantaneous efficacy even 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 ==

In the context of pharmacology in Ayurveda, Samskaras refer to the processing methods employed to transform the properties of the substances. Such sanskaras are performed specifically to remove undesired properties and enhance desirable qualities of the raw drugs used in formulations. Thus, sanskaras represent one of the extremely important aspects in pharmacology of Ayurveda since this step facilitates safe and simple administration, metabolism, absorption and assimilation of even those inorganic metals, minerals or poisonous substances in the body which work as medicines.

In the context of pharmacology in Ayurveda, Samskaras refer to the processing methods employed to transform the properties of the substances. Such samskaras are performed specifically to remove undesired properties and enhance desirable qualities of the raw drugs used in formulations. Thus, samskaras represent one of the extremely important aspects in pharmacology of Ayurveda since this step facilitates safe and simple administration, metabolism, absorption and assimilation of even those inorganic metals, minerals or poisonous substances in the body which work as medicines.

In treatises on Rasashastra, various samskaras are described for purification of Mercury and other metals or minerals. It is believed that, metals have natural impurities called as ‘ Doshas’. Here, doshas literally mean fault/defect/harmful elements in the substance. Therefore, it becomes necessary to remove doshas of metals and minerals before their oral administration. In order to address these concerns most of the Rasashastra advise 2 common sanskaras (processes) to be conducted on all these inorganic substances use din medicines. These are Shodhana and Marana. Shodhana sanskara is primarily employed for purification or cleansing of the material while Marana sanskara is carried out using heat or fire after shodhana to make the purified substances suitable for oral consumption.

In treatises on Rasashastra, various samskaras are described for purification of Mercury and other metals or minerals. It is believed that, metals have natural impurities called as ‘ Doshas’. Here, doshas literally mean fault/defect/harmful elements in the substance. Therefore, it becomes necessary to remove doshas of metals and minerals before their oral administration. In order to address these concerns most of the Rasashastra advise 2 common sanskaras (processes) to be conducted on all these inorganic substances used in medicines. These are Shodhana and Marana. Shodhana sanskara is primarily employed for purification or cleansing of the material while Marana sanskara is carried out using heat or fire after shodhana to make the purified substances suitable for oral consumption.

# Shodhana- Purification/cleansing and

# Shodhana- Purification/cleansing and

# Marana- process by which metals and minerals are grinded with liquids and then dried and made into fine ash using heat/ Incineration process

# Marana- process by which metals and minerals are grinded with liquids and then dried and made into fine ash using heat/ Incineration process