Significance of Five salts
Five salts in Rasashastra refers to a specific combination of five types of salt: saindhava, samudra, sambara, bira, and sauvarchala. These salts are integral to medicinal formulations, playing a crucial role in enhancing flavor and therapeutic effects. They can be used either in combination with other ingredients or as a collective term for necessary components in medicinal preparations. This group of mineral salts is essential for the purification processes when combined with ksharas in medicinal applications.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Five salts'
The "Five salts" in Hinduism refers to a combination of essential salts—sea salt, rock salt, bida salt, salt-petre, and sambara salt—integral for purification and medicinal formulations, enhancing both flavor and therapeutic properties.
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Iatrochemistry
(1) A mixture of five types of salts (saindhava, samudra, sambara, bira, and sauvarchala) included in the medicinal formula.[1] (2) A mixture of five different salts that are included in the medicinal preparation.[2] (3) A mixture that includes various types of salts used in the formulation, contributing to its medicinal properties.[3] (4) A group of five different types of salts included in the mixture preparation.[4] (5) Another group of substances that are part of the larger medicinal preparation.[5]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances
(1) A group of five mineral salts required to be combined with ksharas for the purification process.[6]