2.10. Pharmaceutical use of Powders

Two types of powders were in vogue -face powders and bath powders.

a) Face Powders

Face powders prepared by pulverizing the bark of Lodhra tree were popular. Kālidāsa^[1] has referred to Lodhracūrṇa in his works frequently. While describing Pārvati’s wedding in Kumārasambhava, we come across Pārvatī applying a paste made of Lodhra powder on her cheek. In Raghuvaṃśa and Meghadūta also we have references to ladies applying powdered Lodhra on their face.

b) Bath Powders

Bath powders were not only meant for removing grease, but were useful in enhancing beauty and also in removing body odour. Śaileya, Tagara, Kuṣṭha, Caula, Karpūra, Māṃsī, Kāntā, Uśīra, Vālaka and musk are some of the ingredients of a bath powder. In Agnipurāṇa^[2] and Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa^[3], it is recorded that any one of the above mentioned ingredients, with the addition of Mṛgadarpa is a good combination to make a bath powder^[4]. Reference to a kind of scented powder for the purpose of perfuming clothes as well as applying on the body is found in Bṛhatsaṃhitā^[5]. For obtaining this powder we have to mix the powders of cassia bark, Uśīra and Patra enriched with musk and camphor in equal proportions. Another bath powder was prepared by adding Vālaka and cassia bark into the ingredients of a compound perfume namely Sarvatobhadra which is mentioned in Bṛhatsaṃhitā^[6].

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Raghuvaṃśa, VII.17; U.Megha, 2

[2]:

Gandhayukti, v.26

[3]:

Ibid, v.27

[4]:

Vikramorvaśīya (Vikramorvaśīya).IX,V.90

[5]:

LXXVI, 28,12

[6]:

Ibid, 23, 26