Chronic toxicity of mercury in modern and ayurvedic view

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Chronic toxicity of mercury in modern and ayurvedic view”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Toxicity:
The relevance of 'Toxicity' is highlighted in the article through the chronic toxicity of mercury, showing its harmful effects such as neurological, hematological damage, and symptoms like nausea, digestive disturbance, and anemia. Chronic mercury poisoning is known as 'Hydrargyrism'.

2) Dosha (Dosa):
'Dosha' denotes an impurity or defect in 'Parad' (mercury) according to Ayurvedic texts. Various doshas are mentioned in Ras granthas, which imply inherent defects in mercury that need to be purified for safe medicinal use.

3) Medicine:
Mercury has historical medicinal uses, including disinfectants and treatments for syphilis. The Ayurvedic view purports that purified mercury ('Shudh Sanskarit Parad') has medicinal properties without toxicity.

4) Toxicology:
Modern toxicology outlines the effects and routes of mercury exposure such as inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. It emphasizes mercury's capacity to cause chronic poisoning and systemic health complications.

5) Gold (Golden):
Gold mining is noted as a significant source of mercury pollution due to mercury's historical use in gold extraction processes. This leads to mercury release in the environment.

6) Salt (Salty):
Mercuric chloride (HgCl2), historically used in various industries and as a medicinal agent, is an example of a toxic inorganic mercury salt. Purification processes in Ayurveda involve treating mercury to remove these toxic salts.

7) Blood:
Mercury exposure raises blood mercury levels, leading to various adverse effects such as harm to neurological development. Elevated blood mercury levels are highly toxic, with no safe threshold identified.

8) Delhi:
References to Delhi in the text relate to various publishers and publications, such as the book 'Rasa Tarangani' published in Moti Lal Banarsi Das, Delhi.

9) Fish:
The text highlights that consumption of fish contaminated with methylmercury, such as in the Minamata disease incident, leads to mercury poisoning. Bodies of water polluted with mercury result in bioaccumulation in fish.

10) Disease:
Diseases like Minamata disease, caused by methylmercury consumption, and Acrodynia or pink disease, stemming from chronic mercury exposure, are discussed. They depict severe health impacts.

11) Powder:
Mercuric powder is mentioned in contexts such as Mercuric sulphide used in tattoos and during mercurial ointment preparation. It often causes chronic poisoning through inhalation or dermal exposure.

12) New Delhi:
References to New Delhi include the location of publishers such as CBC Publishers & Distributors, which published 'Parikh’s Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence Forensic Medicine and Toxicology'.

13) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
The text contrasts modern toxicology and Ayurveda regarding mercury toxicity. Ayurveda involves purifying mercury ('Shodhna'), asserting that purified mercury can be medicinal rather than harmful.

14) Parikh:
Authorship and references include 'Parikh’s Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence Forensic Medicine and Toxicology' authored by Dr. C. K. Parikh.

15) Gupta:
Dr. Gupta Radha is co-authored in this publication, discussing chronic toxicity and Ayurveda's view on mercury toxicity.

16) Radha:
'Radha Gupta', referenced as a co-author, contributes to the discussion on chronic mercury toxicity from both modern and Ayurvedic perspectives.

17) Death:
Mercuric chloride is cited as a toxic substance causing acute poisoning and potentially death. Chronic exposure and high mercury levels can be fatal.

18) Rasa (Rasha):
'Rasa' granthas refer to ancient Ayurvedic texts discussing mercury's purification and its transformation to medicinal forms. They emphasize on removing 'doshas' through 'Shodhna'.

19) Silver:
'Silver' in the form of amalgams is historically referred in connection to mercury. Alchemists desired mercury for transmuting base metals to silver and gold.

20) Vanga (Vamga):
Vanga is mentioned as one of the 'doshas' or impurities in Ayurveda, specifically in 'Paraddosh' (impurities) classification in mercury.

21) Naga (Nag):
Naga is categorized under 'doshas' present in mercury as per Ayurvedic texts, necessitating purification. It's one of the specific defects removed during the 'Shodhna' process.

22) Food:
The chronic toxicity section notes that mercury is bioaccumulated, contaminating food sources especially fish, leading to significant health risks.

23) Sharman (Sarma, Sharma, Sarman):
Referenced author 'Sharma Anita' contributes to this article, discussing the additional context of chronic mercury exposure and Ayurvedic perspectives.

24) Nagapura (Naga-pura):
Nagpur is noted as the publication location for the 'MODI Textbook of medical jurisprudence and toxicology', a major reference in the article's text.

25) India:
The article describes India's alarming mercury contamination in water sources, indicative of chronic exposure and resulting health hazards.

26) Visha (Visa):
'Visha dosha' is listed among the defects in mercury that Ayurveda addresses through purification methods ('Shodhna').

27) Mala:
Mala dosha is an impurity type mentioned in the 'Rasratna Samuchaya'; it particularly afflicts mercury and is treated during the purification ('Shodhna') process.

28) Pain:
Descriptions of chronic mercury toxicity effects include symptoms like colicky pain and burning pain which are also relevant to specific Ayurvedic paradigms of faulty mercury.

29) Burning sensation:
Chronic toxicity’s symptoms such as ‘Burning sensation’ are explained in connection with mercurial toxicity, correlated with Ayurvedic accounts of impurity effects in mercury.

30) Alchemist:
Alchemists historically sought mercury for its properties to transmute base metals into noble metals like gold and silver, often questing for the ‘Philosopher's Stone’.

31) Kushtha (Kustha):
Kushtha, listed in the Ayurvedic texts as a skin disorder symptom manifested by specific mercury-related doshas, reflects mercury's adverse health impacts.

32) Vahni:
Vahni dosha refers to 'burning sensation' in the context of mercury's impurities (‘Paraddosh’) as explained in Ayurvedic literature.

33) Kanji (Kamji):
In Ayurveda, Kanji (a fermented drink) is used to wash mercury, aiding in its purification ('Shodhana') to remove specific ‘doshas’.

34) Cina:
Historic references include the Emperor of China, associated with mercury, who allegedly died of mercury poisoning due to consuming mercury-elixir seeking eternal life.

35) Purification:
Mercury purification ('Shodhana') in Ayurveda ensures the removal of toxic impurities, enabling its safe medicinal use. Various herbal and procedural steps are employed.

36) Irritation:
Mercury exposure through skin or eyes causes irritation, one of the early symptoms of chronic mercury toxicity as discussed in the text.

37) Salivation:
Chronic mercury toxicity includes 'salivation' as a constant symptom along with swollen and painful salivary glands.

38) Sadananda (Sadanamda, Sada-ananda):
Pranacharya Shri Sadananda Sharma is cited as a commentator of 'Rasa Tarangani', an authoritative Ayurvedic text on mercury treatment and purification.

39) Swelling:
'Swelling' is a symptom of mercury toxicity, particularly in the extremities in conditions like Acrodynia.

40) Sweating (Sweat):
Excessive 'Sweating' is a chronic toxicity symptom in Acrodynia or pink disease induced by mercury exposure, emphasizing its severe impacts.

41) Haridra:
'Haridra' (turmeric) is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts as a purifying agent used during the 'Shodhana' process to cleanse mercury specific doshas.

42) Taranga (Taramga):
'Taranga' refers to sections within the Ayurvedic text 'Rasa Tarangani', detailing mercury's purification steps and related toxicological aspects.

43) Tantra (Tamtra, Tantrism):
The term 'Tantra' is used within 'Agad Tantra', denoting the science of toxicology in Ayurveda that addresses mercury-related poisonings.

44) Sharad (Sarad):
Dr. Sharad Porte is referenced as a contributing lecturer, discussing chronic toxicity of mercury within Ayurvedic contexts.

45) Jaipur:
The National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur, India, is where the contributing scholars conducted their research.

46) Garlic:
Garlic is used in Ayurvedic purification processes ('Shodhana') of mercury, through its application in mardan (trituration) to detoxify the element.

47) Indian:
The high levels of mercury contamination in water and its impacts on health reflect broader environmental and public health concerns within Indian contexts as cited.

48) Kashi (Kasi):
Kashi Nath Shashtri's commentary supports the understandings in 'Rasa Tarangani', further elucidating the Ayurvedic perspectives on mercury treatment.

49) Jadya:
"Jadya" details 'rigidity', classified as a symptom of mercury toxicity and recognized within Ayurvedic 'Paraddosh'.

50) Kumar:
Vinod Kumar Gothecha, a professor authoring this paper, contributes valuable insight on modern and Ayurvedic views on mercury toxicity.

51) Roman (Roma):
The text mentions the Romans historically using mercury in cosmetics inadvertently causing facial deformities, recognizing its widespread historical use.

52) Glass:
Mercury's industrial uses in glass-blowing and mirror manufacturing expose workers to chronic toxicity, causing conditions like hatter's shakes.

53) Giri:
Giri dosha is noted among the various mercury-related impurities ('Paraddosh') in Ayurveda, requiring specific purification steps.

54) Shri (Sri, Sr):
Shri Sadananda Sharma's work 'Rasa Tarangani' is a foundational Ayurvedic text referenced for understanding mercury's purification ('Shodhna').

55) Bile:
Mercury is excreted through bile, among other routes, showing its systemic distribution and potential for chronic exposure impacts.

56) Drug:
Purification ('Shodhna') of mercury for medicinal use involves the application of specific herbs and drugs to detoxify the element as per Ayurvedic texts.

57) Veterinary medicine:
Mercuric nitrate has applications within veterinary medicine, although its toxic nature necessitates caution. Historical contexts are noted.

58) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
Mercury undergoes various transformations, from inorganic to organic forms (e.g., methylmercury), significantly impacting its toxicity and environmental persistence.

59) Civilization:
References include mercury use in ancient civilizations such as Maya for ritualistic purposes and the toxicological impacts understood even then.

60) Inflammation:
Chronic mercury exposure leads to inflammation of gums and salivary glands, a classic manifestation of chronic poisoning.

61) Dattatreya (Datta-atreya):
Dattatreya Ananta Kulaakarni's commentary on 'Rasratna Sammuchchaya' supports the Ayurvedic mechanisms for mercury purification and its safe usage.

62) Perception:
Public perception warnings about mercury in fish reflect on its chronic toxicity, as noted in studies about pregnant women and children.

63) Srivastava (Sri-vastava, Shrivastava, Shri-vastava):
Dr. R. C. Srivastava contributes to understanding mercury's impact, specifically its alarming concentration in India's water sources.

64) Depression:
The mercury-induced condition 'Mercurial erethism' includes symptoms of depression and general neuropsychiatric disturbances caused by chronic exposure.

65) Aragvadha:
Aragvadha is cited in Ayurvedic purification for treating 'Mala dosha' in mercury, ensuring detoxification before medicinal use.

66) Shodhana (Sodhana):
'Shodhana' is the purification process in Ayurveda, crucial for removing impurities ('doshas') from mercury to make it safe for therapeutic applications.

67) Triphala (Tri-phala):
In Ayurvedic purification practices, 'Triphala' is used to detoxify mercury of 'Visha dosha', ensuring safe medicinal usage.

68) Indrayan:
'Indrayan' is a herb used in specific purification ('Shodhan') processes for detoxifying mercury from 'Vanga dosha'.

69) Painting:
Mercuric nitrate, used for painting on porcelain, is mentioned as a toxic substance highlighting its hazardous properties despite industrial applications.

70) Samghata (Sanghata):
'Sanghata', indicative of rigidity or blockages, is an Ayurvedic dosha associated with mercury requiring specific purificative measures.

71) Vomiting:
Chronic mercury toxicity includes vomiting as one of the symptoms due to digestive disturbances.

72) Pregnant:
Mercury exposure is particularly harmful to pregnant women, leading to fetal exposure and significant developmental issues.

73) Delusion (Deluded):
Mercurial erethism includes symptoms such as delusions among the neuropsychiatric effects of chronic mercury exposure.

74) Sanskrit:
The Sanskrit term 'Rasavātam' meaning 'the way of mercury,' signifies the etymological roots of methodologies involving mercury in alchemy and Ayurveda.

75) Parpati:
Parpati is one among the saptakanchuk doshas in mercury listed in 'Rasratna Samuchchaya', implicating specific ridding processes.

[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 105]