Exploration of Rasashastra’s process of mercury detoxification using Garlic

• Author Details:   
• Trupti Patil -Bhole ^*

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Rasashastra is the ancient iatrochemistry which mainly elaborates mercury processing and its formulations for medicinal purpose. Minerals or metals can be toxic to human body in raw untreated forms. However; to achieve the medicinal benefits these can be converted into fine bhasma form which are therapeutic and safe. Rasashastra is ancient and it elaborates the mineral drugs in detail. Medicinal plants are used for conversion of minerals into medicines by use of complex processes. The processes include effects of heat, water, air, various plants and minerals, by use of complex methods. It us believed that Mercury [parada] acts as a catalyst in conversion of metals in bhasma form. However there is no much primary evidence regarding actual chemical changes occurring in the substances. Mercury is used after shuddhi process ie detoxification by specific method of rasashastra. The most commonly used process detoxification involves mixing and continuous pounding of mercury with paste of garlic [Allium sativum] and rock salt. Important sulfur-containing compounds in garlic includes allicin, which is produced from alliin when garlic is crushed; ajoene, various disulfides and trisulfides (like diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide), vinyldithiins, and S-allyl-L-cysteine. Reaction of garlic and mercury may alter the chemical configuration of mercury. After separation of mercury from this mixture, the mercury is said to be detoxified. Rasashastra medicines such as rasasindura are comprised of mercury sulfur bound together. This report gives insights into the facts related to garlic and mercury.

Keywords: Parad, Mercury, Shuddhi, Samskara, Rasashastra, Rason, Garlic.