Transformation of Copper into therapeutic mineral complex following principles of Rasa Shastra

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Rasa Shastra is a specialized branch of Ayurveda which evolved from 1st to 5th century in India. The branch
deals with therapeutics of substances of plant, animal and mineral origin, which are moderate to severely toxic in raw
form. However, there are various methodologies to transform them into non-toxic therapeutic form. A complex compound
was initially prepared in mid seventies using Copper, Mercury and Sulphur as base materials that were processed with
devdali (Luffa echinata Roxb.), aprajita (Clitoria ternatea L.) and fresh lemon juice. The compound was found clinically
effective in treating pancreatic disorders. This study was conducted in 2015-17 with the aim of developing standard
operative procedures and quality parameters along with understanding the chemical structure of the compound.
Methodology: Three batches of the formulation were prepared. The process involved repeated grinding and heating of the
amalgamation of the ingredients under controlled conditions. The grinding and heating specifications were monitored and
documented. Samples were collected at various steps and the raw materials, in-process and finished compounds were
subjected to chemical analysis at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Outcome: Standard Operative Procedure for the
preparation of the stated formulation was developed. The results of the chemical analysis showed formation of new mineral
peaks. The final product was devoid of any free metals. Conclusion: The study shows that the traditional methodologies
described in Rasa Shastra possess potential to convert metals into mineral forms that are therapeutically effective and safe.
The science needs to be further explored and developed.

Full text

Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-9 Issue-3 Jul.-Sep., 2020 20
Original Research
Transformation of Copper into therapeutic mineral complex following
principles of Rasa Shastra
Vaidya Balendu Prakash
1
, Vaidya Shikha Prakash
2
, Shakshi Sharma
3
, Sneha Tiwari
4
1,4
VCPC Research Foundation, Prakash Villa, Near Rave Cinemas, NH74, Danpur Area, Rudrapur, India
2,3
Padaav-Speciality Ayurvedic Treatment Centre, Ratanpura, Gadarpur, Uttarakhand, India
Corresponding Author’s Email:balenduprakash@gmail.com
Date of Submission: 21 June 2020 || Date of Acceptance: 7 September 2020
ABSTRACT
Background: Rasa Shastra is a specialized branch of Ayurveda which evolved from 1
st
to 5
th
century in India. The branch
deals with therapeutics of substances of plant, animal and mineral origin, which are moderate to severely toxic in raw
form. However, there are various methodologies to transform them into non-toxic therapeutic form. A complex compound
was initially prepared in mid seventies using Copper, Mercury and Sulphur as base materials that were processed with
devdali (Luffa echinata Roxb.), aprajita (Clitoria ternatea L.) and fresh lemon juice. The compound was found clinically
effective in treating pancreatic disorders. This study was conducted in 2015-17 with the aim of developing standard
operative procedures and quality parameters along with understanding the chemical structure of the compound.
Methodology: Three batches of the formulation were prepared. The process involved repeated grinding and heating of the
amalgamation of the ingredients under controlled conditions. The grinding and heating specifications were monitored and
documented. Samples were collected at various steps and the raw materials, in-process and finished compounds were
subjected to chemical analysis at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Outcome: Standard Operative Procedure for the
preparation of the stated formulation was developed. The results of the chemical analysis showed formation of new mineral
peaks. The final product was devoid of any free metals. Conclusion: The study shows that the traditional methodologies
described in Rasa Shastra possess potential to convert metals into mineral forms that are therapeutically effective and safe.
The science needs to be further explored and developed.
Keywords: Rasa Shastra; Ayurveda; Pancreatitis; Pancreatic disorders
Annals Ayurvedic Med. 2020; 9 (3)
Introduction
Copper is among the few metals that occur in nature in
native form. Copper is an essential trace dietary mineral
for human body (1.4 to 2.1 mg per kilogram body weight)
that is crucial for the proper growth, development and
maintenance of certain body organs, like bone, connective
tissue, brain, heart.
1,2
Copper stimulates the immune
system to fight infections, to repair injured tissues, and to
promote healing and helps neutralize “free radicals”, which
can cause severe damage to cells.
3
On the contrary, certain
salts of Copper, such as hydroxides, chlorides and
sulphates, may cause acute toxicity to human beings.
4
Rasa Shastra in Ayurveda emphasises on the therapeutics
of metals and minerals and terms these as dhatus and
updhatus.
5
Copper (tamra) stands among seven dhatus
described in Rasa Shastra for their therapeutic properties.
6
The calcined ash of tamra, referred to as tamra bhasma,
has traditionally been in use for the treatment of disorders
described in classical Ayurvedic texts such as, pandu
(anaemia), udarshoola (abdominal pain), jwar (fever),
kushtha (skin disorders), shwasa (dyspnoea).
7
However,
Ayurvedic texts also mention that Copper is a mahavish
(posion) and, therefore, special methodology has been
described to convert it into first, non toxic, and then,

Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-9 Issue-3 Jul.-Sep., 2020 21
therapeutic form
8
. Also, classical texts state various
methods for processing of tamra, of which processing using
parad (Mercury/ rasa) is considered to be the best.
9
Mercury, the 80
th
element on the periodic table, is a highly
toxic heavy metal. Its toxic effects include damage to the
brain, kidneys and lungs.
10
Salts of Mercury have
traditionally been in use to treat syphilis and as a diuretic,
topical disinfectant and laxative.
11, 12
Different
methodologies for processing of Mercury have been
described in Ayurvedic texts. It is mentioned that Mercury
attains its therapeutic value when processed with Sulfur,
a process called gandhak jarana.
13
The process involves
heating of gandhak in different proportions with parad in
specifically designed apparatus called nalika baluka yantra
and leads to a state of gandhak jeerna parad. This parad
has been stated to possess miraculous therapeutic
properties.
13
Sulfur (gandhak) is a non-metallic
element with atomic number 16 that has since ancient times
been in use for treating skin problems and bacterial
infections.
14
It is widely used in homeopathic medicines
for digestive disorders, skin and respiratory conditions,
prostate and menstrual related symptoms. In Ayurveda,
gandhak is used as an alterative, laxative, diuretic and
insecticide.
15
In the stated background, considering the stated principles
of Rasa Shastra, Meerut based Late Vaidya Chandra
Prakash initiated an experiment, in the mid-seventies,
where he first subjected Copper (tamra) to samanya
shodhan (purification).
16
He used hingul to extract
Mercury (parad). The hinguloth parad thus obtained was
processed with Copper to obtain tamroth parad. Tamroth
parad was further converted into vishoth parad. Vishoth
parad was then amalgamated with Copper and Sulphur
and exposed to fire for different durations in nalika damru
yantra. On cooling after each cycle, same amount of
Sulphur was added to the compound. Fifty such cycles
were repeated. The herbo-mineral formulation, thus
obtained, was found therapeutically effective in treating
pancreatic cancer of advanced stage.
17
Later, this formulation, termed as Amar, was introduced
in clinical practice. Amar has been in use for decades by
the successors of Vaidya Chandra Prakash
and was found significantly effective in treating Recurrent
Acute/ Chronic Pancreatitis (RACP). The data from the
clinical practice has been documented using Good Clinical
Practice guidelines and the results of these observations
have been reported.
18,19,20
The present study was conducted in 2015-17 with the aim
to set standard operative procedures by developing quality
parameters for the intrigue processing involved in the
preparation of the complex. The study has been carried at
VCPC Research Foundation, Dehradun in collaboration
with Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry,
Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, where raw
materials, in-process and finished products were analyzed
using non-destructive methods.
Methodology
Preparation: Three batches of Amar were prepared
simultaneously. Hingul, Copper (Tamra) and Sulphur
(Amlasar Gandhak) were used as raw materials along with
Luffa echinata Roxb. (devdali), Clitoria ternatea L.
(aprajita) and lemon juice as consumable herbs during its
preparation.
Shodhan sanskar
Tamra shodhan: Thin sheets of Copper were procured
and subjected to heating in Light Diesel Oil furnace until
they became red hot. After heating, these sheets were dipped
into sesame seed oil. This process of heating the sheets
and dipping them in liquid was repeated seven times using
sesame seed oil, buttermilk, cow urine, triphala kwath
(decoction of equal parts of amalaki or Phyllanthus
emblica L., bibhitaki or Terminalia bellirica Roxb., and
haritaki or Terminalia chebula Retz.) and kuluttha kwath
(decoction of horse gram).
16
(Table 1)
Parad shodhan: Mercury was extracted from hingul using
traditional method (kanduk yantra) as hinguloth parad
(HP) (Table 2a). HP was ground with copper sheets in

Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-9 Issue-3 Jul.-Sep., 2020 22
lemon juice and evaporated (urdhvapatan) using an
urdhvapatan yantra.
21
The evaporated Mercury obtained
was further ground with Copper in lemon juice and
evaporated in the same manner. The Mercury obtained
after seven such processings was called tamroth parad
(TP) (Table 2b). TP was further ground seven times with
arka ksheer (latex of Calotropis gigantean L.), snuhi
ksheer (latex of Euphorbia neriifolia L.), dhatura patra
swaras (Datura stramonium L. leaves), kaner mool twak
kwath (Nerium indicum Mill. root decoction), ghughunchi
kwath (Abrus precatorius L. extract), kalihari kwath
(Gloriosa superb L. extract) and opium water and
evaporated similarly.
22
Thus, vishoth parad (VP) or
processed Mercury was obtained (Table 2c).
Gandhak shodhan: Sulphur (amlasar gandhak) was first
melted in an iron vessel with ghee and then poured into
the decoction of triphala (modified process).
23
It was then
filtered and dried under sun after cooling.
Grinding and heating (mardan and agni sanskaar)
The processed raw materials and consumable herbs were
ground using motor operated wet grinders for six to eight
hours to attain the particle size of <5ìm of more than 80%
of the ground material. The particle size stated was ensured
using a particle size analyzer after each cycle of grinding
(Figure 1a). The amalgam obtained after grinding was
dried under sun, packed and sealed in polished clay vessels,
giving the shape of a two headed drum (nalika damru
yantra). These were then heated continuously for different
time periods at temperature ranging from 365-400°C
(Figure 1b). Fifty cycles of such processing were carried
out. Figure 2 a, b and c depict the varying duration of
temperature exposure, weight of compound and
consumption of herbal extract for each processing.

Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-9 Issue-3 Jul.-Sep., 2020 23
Samples were collected at the end of each cycle and
randomly selected for qualitative and quantitative analysis
using non destructive methods.
Analysis
The samples were first ground into a fine powder and their
X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern was recorded. The
chemical composition and morphology of the samples were
determined using EDAX measurement and Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM) images respectively. To
identify the minerals present, the diffraction patterns were
matched with the reported patterns of a library of minerals
that are reported to contain the same elements as that in
the sample. Sequential identification was done with mineral
corresponding to the most intense peak in the experimental
pattern being identified first. The pattern for this mineral
was digitally subtracted from the experimental data. The
samples were then washed repeatedly with water to remove
all water soluble components in the sample and dried in
oven at 60f C which was followed by XRD
measurement for water insoluble fraction. The above
mentioned steps were repeated for the water insoluble
fraction. This was repeated until all the peaks in the
experimental diffraction pattern matched. Percentage
composition of each phase in the sample was deduced using
MATLAB code and the corresponding pie chart was
plotted.
The composition of the final product of all three batches
was more or less identical (Figure 3).

Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-9 Issue-3 Jul.-Sep., 2020 24
Result
The analysis of raw materials, in-process and final
products showed that there was sequential disappearance
of metals during the process. The finished product showed
no free metal and comprised of minerals only.
Discussion
Rasa Shastra that originated somewhere around the 1
st
century came into proper existence around the 8
th
century.
6
This science involves various methodologies to convert
metals into mineral forms. It is almost impossible to
understand the intricate details of each processing which
takes many years to con vert toxic metals into
therapeutically effective non-toxic forms. However, there
are always been a big question mark on the chemistry of
the finished product and safety and efficacy.
Mercury and Copper are well known metallic elements
and Sulphur is a non metallic element. In the present study,
these were subjected to repeated grinding and heating
using extract of Luffa echinata Roxb. and Clitoria
ternatia L. in lemon juice. The end product converts into
a complex mineral compound and does not have any trace
of free metals. There is sequential disappearance of metals
and formation of mineral complex with increasing number
of processing. Hundred times gandhak jarana has been
used in the three batches and there is a similarity after
the last processing.
It seems that the traditional methodology is responsible
for the gradual conversion of metals into mineral form.
However, these findings cannot be considered as final as
changes were being seen with increasing number of
processing. More processing should be carried until the
change is arrested and stability is gained. The science
behind these changes needs to be studied further.
Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that
this compound has strong pancreatitis protective
properties.
24
The compound has also undergone acute,
sub-acute and chronic toxicity studies and has been found
to be absolutely safe (data on file).
Rasa Shastra is largely practiced in India in its traditional
form. Therapeutics of metals and minerals which are
processed following Ayurvedic classical texts have not yet
been explored and remain a virgin area of medicine. The
chemical analysis of the formulation opens up a new chapter
towards the therapeutic potential of Rasa Shastra. Further
studies are required to understand the mechanism of
transformation of metals into minerals and the isomorphic
properties of the compound.
Conclusion
The study depicts the fundamentals of ‘maran sanskaar
that means the metal loses its metallic form. This intrigue
phenomena of Rasa Shastra needs to be studied further.
Conflict of interest
Authors declare no conflict of interest.
Financial support - The study was partially funded by
Department of Science & Technology, Government of
Uttarakhand.
References
1. Johnson, MD PhD, Larry E., ed.
(2008). ”Copper”. Merck Manual Home Health
Handbook. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary
of Merck & Co., Inc. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
2. “Copper in Human Health,” Technical Note TN
34, Copper Development Association, Orchard
House, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3AP,
UK.
3. Scheiber, Ivo; Dringen, Ralf; Mercer, Julian F. B.
(2013). ”Copper: Effects of Deficiency and
Overload”. In Sigel, Astrid; Sigel, Helmut; Sigel,
Roland K.O. (eds.). Interrelations between Essential
Metal Ions and Human Diseases. Metal Ions in Life
Sciences. 13. Springer. pp. 359–87.
4. Li, Yunbo; Trush, Michael; Yager, James (1994).
“DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species
originating from a copper-dependent oxidation of

Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-9 Issue-3 Jul.-Sep., 2020 25
the 2-hydroxy catechol of estradiol”.
Carcinogenesis. 15 (7): 1421–1427.
5. Kumar G, Gupta YK. Evidence for safety of
Ayurvedic herbal, herbo-metallic and Bhasma
preparations on neurobehavioral activity and
oxidative stress in rats. Ayu. 2012;33(4):569–575.
6. Savrikar SS and Ravishankar B. Introduction to
Rasashastra – The Iatrochemistry of Ayurveda.
Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med (2011)
8(S):66-82.
7. Pt Kashinath Shastri. Rasatarangini. Motilal
Banarasidas, Delhi (1994). Pg 420, Shlok 46-47.
8. Chandrashekhar YJ, Galib R and PK Prajapati.
Brief Review of Tamra Bhasma – A Metal Based
Ayurvedic Formulation. J Res Educ Indian Med,
2013; XIX(1-2):17-28.
9. Rastantrasaar va Siddhprayog sangrah Part 1.
Krishna Gopal Ayurveda Bhavan (2003). Volume
17, Page 82.
10. World Health Organization. Mercury and health.
Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-
sheets/detail/mercury-and-health. Accessed in
April 2020.
11. Pimple, K.D. Pedroni; J.A. Berdon, V. (9 July
2002). ”Syphilis in history”. Poynter Center for
the Study of Ethics and American Institutions at
Indiana University-Bloomington. Archived
from the original on 16 February 2005.
12. Liu J, Shi JZ, Yu LM, Goyer RA, Waalkes MP.
Mercury in traditional medicines: is cinnabar
toxicologically similar to common
mercurials? Exp Biol Med (Maywood).
2008;233(7):810–817. doi:10.3181/0712-MR-
336
13. Pt Kashinath Shastri. Rasatarangini, Motilal
Banarasidas. Delhi (1994). Pg 98, Shlok 107-109.
14. Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis (in
German). 6B (4th ed.). Berlin–Heidelberg–New
York: Springer. 1978. pp. 672–9.
15. Asia Pacific Business Press. Handbook on Unani
Medicines. Ch – 96; Pg – 506.
16. Pt Kashinath Shastri. Rasatarangini, Motilal
Banarasidas. Delhi (1994). Pg 362, Shlok 4-6.
17. Pal SK (2014) A review on an Ayurvedic approach
for cancer treatment developed by Vaidya Balendu
Prakash. Int J Inter Multi Stud 1: 1-11.
18. Prakash VB, Prakash S, Sharma S, Tiwari S
(2018) Ayurvedic treatment protocol in the
management of recurring acute/chronic
pancreatitis. Pancreat Disord Íer 8. 1.
19. Prakash VB, Prakasham S, Sharma S et al. Impact
evaluation of Ayurvedic Treatment Protocol on
three hundred nineteen cases of different variants
of Pancreatitis. Pancreat Disord Ther 2018, 8:2
20. Prakash VB, Prakasham S, Sharma S et al.
Pancreas, Volume 48, Number 10, November/
December 2019, Pg: 1509.
21. Pt Kashinath Shastri. Rasatarangini, Motilal
Banarasidas. Delhi (1994). Pg 82-83, Shlok 38-
42.
22. Pt Kashinath Shastri. Rasatarangini, Motilal
Banarasidas. Delhi (1994). Pg 101-102.
23. Pt Kashinath Shastri. Rasatarangini, Motilal
Banarasidas. Delhi (1994). Pg 178-179; shlok 21-
22)
24. Prakash VB et al. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
of a Processed Copper Complex in L-
Arginine Induced Pancreatitis - Two Experimental
Studies, EC Gastroenterology and Digestive
System, 6.7 (2019): 519-524.
Source of Support : Nil
Conflict of Interest : None

Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-9 Issue-3 Jul.-Sep., 2020 26

Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-9 Issue-3 Jul.-Sep., 2020 27

Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-9 Issue-3 Jul.-Sep., 2020 28