Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Iatrochemistry
by Bhudeb Mookerjee | 1938 | 52,258 words | ISBN-10: 8170305829 | ISBN-13: 9788170305828
This fourth volume of the Rasa-jala-nidhi deals with Rasa-chikitsa-vidya, also known a the science of Iatrchemistry (chemical medicine), a major branch of Ayurveda. It contains Ayurvedic treatments for Fever and Diarrhea. The Rasa-jala-nidhi (“the ocean of Iatrochemistry, or, chemical medicine) is a compendium of Sanskrit verses dealing with ancie...
Part 19 - Directions for preparing a medicine with ingredients more than one
If a particular recipe contains mercury and not sulphur, the term “mercury” in that recipe is to be taken to mean incinerated mercury; but if there is a mention, in a particular recipe, of both mercury and sulphur, the term mercury is to mean there only purified mercury. Gems, minor gems, conch-shell, nabhisankha, mica, and copper-sulphate should always be used in incinerated forms. In other words, they are never to be used in medicines without having been previously reduced to ashes. Take incinerated haritala (orpiment) where it is so expressly mentioned, otherwise use orpiment, duly purified. Sulphur, realgar, and all the other remaining upa-rasas should be used after purification, and so also should poisons and minor poisons be. In case of kuchila (nux-vomica), it is to be purified and reduced to ashes by being fried with clarified butter. Guggulu should be used purified. Asafaetida (hingu) is to be always used after having been purified by being fried with clarified butter. The seven metals should always be used after having been duly reduced to ashes.[1]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
The processes of purification and incinreation referred to here have been described in details in the first three volumes.
Conclusion:
This concludes ‘Directions for preparing a medicine with ingredients more than one’ included in Bhudeb Mookerjee Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory. The text includes treatments, recipes and remedies and is categorised as Rasa Shastra: an important branch of Ayurveda that specialises in medicinal/ herbal chemistry, alchemy and mineralogy, for the purpose of prolonging and preserving life.