Significance of Sulphur
Sulphur, also known as Gandhaka, is a crucial element in various traditional medicinal practices. It is utilized in Ayurvedic and Rasashastra formulations, often combined with mercury and other ingredients. Sulphur's properties include fungicidal, bactericidal, and anti-parasitic effects, used in treating skin diseases. It's also a key component in metal refinement and is incorporated into preparations for different therapeutic purposes. The text highlights its importance in the context of medicine preparation and its role in enhancing the quality and efficacy of various formulations.
Synonyms: Sulfur, Brimstone, Sulfide
In Finnish: Rikki; In Malay: Sulfur; In Dutch: Zwavel; In Spanish: Azufre; In German: Schwefel; In Swedish: Svavel; In French: Soufre; In Portugese: Enxofre; In Italian: Zolfo; In Polish: Siarka
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Sulphur'
In Hinduism, Sulphur is a crucial element in medicinal preparations. It is often combined with other substances like mercury and herbs, undergoing processes like heating, rubbing, and incineration. Used in various formulations, including pills, it's measured precisely, aiding in the transformation and extraction of therapeutic properties within the medicine.
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Iatrochemistry
(1) Sulphur is a component that needs to be combined with mercury and iron in specific proportions to create a kajjali or black powder for medicinal purposes.[1] (2) A substance that, when mixed in equal amounts with other ingredients, is processed into pills designed for therapeutic benefits.[2] (3) Sulphur, measured at one tola, is combined with mercury and incinerated conch shell following the initial heating and rubbing of other substances.[3] (4) An element used in combination with other substances, specifically incinerated mercury and mica, to form part of a medicinal preparation.[4] (5) One of the ingredients that is combined in equal quantities with other substances such as mercury and iron for a medicinal preparation; sulphur is combined to create medicine.[5]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances
(1) A non-metallic element used in conjunction with copper leaves and mercury in various processes, often in specific proportions, to facilitate incineration and transformation.[6] (2) A substance used in a solution with sour fruit juice to treat a melted mixture of copper and steel.[7] (3) This substance undergoes a process with devadali juice for a duration of seven days, and when combined with iron and subjected to heat, it causes the iron to transform in appearance to resemble mercury.[8] (4) A chemical component mixed with other substances for the general method of incineration of gems.[9] (5) A chemical element included in the paste for the crucible process, known for its role in combustion and transformation.[10]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa)
(1) Sulphur absorption by mercury creates a substance comparable to mercury extracted from hingula, showing a parallel in their properties and potential applications.[11] (2) Sulphur is used in conjunction with matulunga juice to incinerate Makshika when rubbed together and confined in a crucible and subjected to kroda-puta for five times.[12] (3) A substance that, when purified and prepared properly, can enhance strength, increase semen production, and cure a variety of diseases over time.[13] (4) Sulphur is one of the materials utilized in the processes, specifically used in conjunction with other substances, such as lakucha juice or matulunga juice, during the stages of transformation.[14] (5) This element is combined with mercury in a specific ratio, and is utilized in a laboratory setting to produce a specific compound, playing a crucial role in the process.[15]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory
(1) Sulphur, with one twelfth its weight, is rubbed with mercury along with lime juice for three hours, and then the mixture is subjected to a process of sublimation.[16] (2) This is a substance that undergoes a process involving heating, being consumed, and being combined with another element, and is used in multiple steps of the procedure, and its quantity is carefully measured for the procedure.[17] (3) This substance, also known as Gandhaka, is categorized as a quasi-mercury and is to be situated within the eighth floral section, following a specified sequence.[18] (4) An essential element in metal refinement, especially noted for its role in enhancing the quality and color of gold.[19] (5) A chemical element involved in multiple processes for transforming and preparing mercury, often used as a powder.[20]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 5: Treatment of various afflictions
(1) The text mentions sulphur as a key ingredient in various medicinal preparations, often combined with other substances and subjected to processes.[21]
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) Sulphur is a key element in Svarnamakshika (chalcopyrite), and its minimum quantity is specified as a pharmacopeial quality standard in the API monograph for quality assurance.[22] (2) This element's percentage is measured in both the prepared medicine and the market sample, and it is noted that the market sample has a higher percentage than the prepared medicine.[23] (3) This may be helpful, as a deficiency may be involved and is found in cabbage and kale, according to the text.[24] (4) This is an important element used in the Sagandha Murchana and various formulations, often ground with mercury in the preparation process.[25] (5) Sulphur is an ingredient in the Gandhak Taila preparation, and purified sulphur has fungicidal, bactericidal, and anti-parasitic effects, used in various skin diseases.[26]
From: Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine
(1) Sulphur reduces the toxic action of mercury, and when sulphur is in the form of sulphydryl group, divalent mercury replaces the hydrogen atom to form merceptides, which provides a basis for treatment.[27] (2) This is another element present in kasis, and is lost during the process of preparing kasis bhasma.[28]
From: International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
(1) ShudhGandhak is the Sanskrit name for this ingredient in Sootshekhar Ras.[29] (2) Marana process for metals is done with the help of materials containing this, also known as Kanishta.[30]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) Sulphur is a component that is used in the preparations, and is applied to the parts previously anointed with oil, to relieve different conditions such as ringworm and keloids.[31]
The concept of Sulphur in local and regional sources
The text highlights Sulphur's significance in traditional practices. It is a key ingredient in a youth and immortality elixir, combined with other substances. Additionally, Sulphur undergoes the kattu operation, alongside mercury and other materials, indicating its potent properties.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) Sulphur is an ingredient that should be treated for six months, and then made into a powder with sesame and bitter orpiment, combined with three sweeteners to obtain youth and immortality.[32] (2) Sulphur is one of the substances that is subjected to the kattu operation, along with mercury, metals, and salt, according to the text.[33]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This is one of the substances thought to hold wonderful power, according to the provided text.[34]
The concept of Sulphur in scientific sources
Sulphur, also known as Gandhaka, is a vital chemical element. It is utilized in Ayurvedic medicine for its therapeutic benefits, including digestion and detoxification. Sulphur is a remedy for scalp conditions and hair loss. It is found in Anilari Ras and is the English term for Gandhaka.
From: South African Family Practice
(1) This substance, obtained mainly from the ingestion of amino acids, was also not included in the articles.[35]
From: Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics
(1) Sulphur-containing amino acids easily react with Pd(II) because of the great tendency of sulphur to form bonds.[36]
From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)
(1) Sulphur is a chemical element that, in certain forms, can contribute to air pollution and be detected by its smell, leading to annoyance.[37] (2) It is a measured element in biochar, with Sandanski samples showing the highest content, and its levels doubling with temperature increase from 300°C to 400°C, then decreasing at higher temperatures.[38] (3) High sulphur content in TPO reduces the wear behaviour and their blend with biodiesel helps to increase the lubricating properties because biodiesel has no sulphur content that caused the problems in the lubricity.[39] (4) An essential nutrient for plant growth, important for protein synthesis and enzyme function, and can influence nitrogen fixation in plants from the Fabaceae family.[40] (5) An element in palm kernel expeller that ranged from 1916–2745 mg kg − 1, which was comparable to previously reported concentrations.[41]
From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
(1) Sulphur is mentioned in the text as a substance found in plants and soil, potentially indicating the environmental contamination of protected areas.[42]
Classical concept of 'Sulphur'
From: The Odyssey of Homer (English translation)
(1) Sulphur was requested by Ulysses to cleanse all pollution from the cloisters, symbolizing his desire to purify his home after the slaughter of the suitors.[43]
From: The Authoress of the Odyssey
(1) Sulphur is used by Ulysses to purify the inner and outer court, as well as the cloisters, symbolizing the cleansing of the house after the violence and the restoration of order and sanctity.[44]