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Gandhaka means Sulphur in English. It is a chemical element with with atomic number 16 and chemical formula 'S'. In Ayurveda's Rasashastra, this element is used widely in medicinal formulations. In Rasashastra treatises various details 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 modern 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 modern medicine used it as antibiotic.  

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.  

== Alternative names of Gandhaka used in Ayurveda ==

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

# Gauripushpa

# Gauripushpa (गौरीपुष्पः)

# balivasa

# balivasa (बलिवसा)

# Lelitaka

# Lelitaka (लेलितक)

# Atigandha

# Atigandha (अतिगन्धः)

# Kushthari

# Kushthari (कुष्ठारिः)

# Kitaghna

# Kitaghna (कीटघ्नः)

# Navaneeta

# Navaneeta (नवनीतः)

# Shulbari

# Shulbari (शुल्बारिः)

# Pamari

# Pamari (पामारिः)

# Bali

# Bali (बलिः)

# Sugandha

# Sugandha (सुगन्धः)

== History ==

== इतिहासः History ==

The knowledge of Indians about sulfur is very ancient. In the oldest and most popular treatise of Ayurveda "Charaka Samhita" 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 (Mercury) was mixed with Gandhaka and used in medicines and in Dhatuvada or metallurgical work. Since then till today no metal work is done without sulphur. The name Shulbari etc. is the symbol of 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.

== Appearance ==

== स्वरूपम् Appearance ==

Gandhaka is available in both free and bound forms. Sulfur mixed with metals is available in pure form near volcanic mountains and at other places. Sulfur is found in the form of both sulphide and sulphate compounds.

Gandhaka is available in both free and bound forms. Sulfur mixed with metals is available in pure form near volcanic mountains and at other places. Sulfur is found in the form of both sulphide and sulphate compounds.

== Sulfur Minerals ==

== गन्धकखनिजानि Sulfur Minerals ==

 

* Sulphide - in Sulphide form

* Sulphide - in Sulphide form

# Iron Pyrite Iron Pyrite (Fe S2)

# Iron Pyrite Iron Pyrite (Fe S2)

# Copper Pyrite Copper Pyrite (Cu,S Fe, S

# Copper Pyrite Copper Pyrite (Cu,S Fe, S)

# Galena (PbS)

# Galena (PbS)

# Cinnabar (Hg S)

# Cinnabar (Hg S)

# Copper Sulphate (Cu SO, SHO)  

# Copper Sulphate (Cu SO, SHO)  

Apart from this, sulfur is also found in some organic substances like radish, onion, garlic, egg, etc. and in coal and crude petroleum products.

 

Sulfur is also found in some organic substances like radish, onion, garlic, egg, etc. and in coal and crude petroleum products. These are the natural sources through which one can get organic form of sulphur.

Free sulfur is found in the Sicilian volcanic region of 'Italy', Spain, Texas, New Zealand, Japan etc. countries. In addition to countries like Russia, Japan, Verma, Iceland, America, Chile, Philippines, etc., sulfur is found in abundance in Singhbhum district and Rohitas district of Jharkhand province of India and in Rajasthan. Apart from this, sulfur is also found in areas like Kumaon and Assam.

 

From a philosophical point of view, sulfur is the same but there are many differences of sulfur in shape. There are four types of sulfur in rhetoric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellowish-green like parrot's tail, smooth, smooth, hard and gem-shaped sulfur is superior. 2 greasy,

* Yellowish-green in color like parrot's tail,  

* smooth,  

* hard and  

* gem-shaped sulfur is superior.

== 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. light stroke

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>

== Use of Sulphur ==

== Use of Sulphur ==

(1) In making Sulfur Dioxide gas, from which Sulfuric Acid and Sulphide are made which are very useful for Metallurgy and Kal-Factories.

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

(2) Carbon dioxide gas in fireworks, matches, and gunpowder etc.

* Carbon dioxide gas in fireworks, matches, and gunpowder etc.

* Useful in purifying metals and making fertilizers.

 

Mainly two types of defects in impure sulphur.

 

(6) Sulfur has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of many diseases. Most of the formulations of Ayurvedic medicines contain sulphur.

 

 

 

 

 

(10) Sulfur is especially useful in destroying Parad Dosha.

Mainly two types of defects in impure sulphur.

Therefore, it should be purified by a skilled physician with care.

Leprosy by consuming impure sulphur- Anger

Leprosy by consuming impure sulphur- Anger

# Mahajvarankusharas

# Mahajvarankusharas

# Hanspotli

# Hanspotli

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]