modified methods for gandhaka Śodhana a pilot...

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Modified methods for Gandhaka Śodhana – A Pilot Study

Krushnkumar Taviad 1, Ankesh Agrawal 2, Swapnil Chaudhari 3, Galib 4, B J Patgiri 5, P K Prajapati 6

A b s t r a c t

Introduction: Gandhaka (Sulphur) is widely used mineral in Ayurvedic pharmaceutics that

has greater therapeutic attributes. This mineral too should be processed before its use in

therapeutics, but the process involves certain inconveniences and no standard method for

śodhana is reported till date. In current attempt, few modifications were made in the

śodhana procedure, so that, it can minimize material loss, time saving, facilitates further

processing etc. Materials and Methods: Aśuddha Gandhaka was procured from Phar-

macy, Gujarat Ayurved University; Ghrita and Milk were procured from local market,

Jamnagar and śodhana was done in the departmental laboratory. Gandhaka Śodhana

was done in three batch sizes (250g, 500g and 750g) and process was repeated for

five times in each batch to develop standard method. Pharmaceutical findings and obser-

vations were recorded in all batches. Results: Average 4.636% loss of Gandhaka was

observed on following the modified method. Conclusion: As these modifications provide

maximum yield and save time significantly; can be considered as standard methods of

Gandhaka Śodhana in future studies.

Key words: Gandhaka, Śodhana, Standardization, Sulphur.

1 & 2 MD Scholar, 3 PhD Scholar, 4 Assistant Professor, 5 Head & Professor, Department of Rasa Śāstra and

Bhaishjya Kalpana, 6 Director, Institute for post graduate teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat

Ayurved University, Jamnagar.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

Dr. KRUSHNKUMAR TAVIAD

MD Scholar, Department of Rasa Śāstra and Bhaishjya Kalpana,

Institute for post graduate teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved

University,

Jamnagar – 361008

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Krushnkumar et al.: Modified methods for Gandhaka śodhana – A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

pale yellowish mineral of great importance,

Gandhaka (sulphur) is the most important Rasa

dravya after Pārada (mercury). It is known for its

vast range of therapeutic applications since ancient times

and there is hardly any preparation in Rasa Śāstra that

doesn’t have Gandhaka or its compound as an ingredi-

ent. Thus, it can be said that, it is the most essential ele-

ment of Rasa Śāstra, placed under the group of Upa

Rasa.[i] Because of its peculiar odour (Gandha), it is

named as Gandhaka. Duly processed (Śodhita)

Gandhaka is said to be a good rejuvenator and is useful

in conditions like Kushtha (various skin diseases),

Visarpa(erysipelas), Dadru(fungal infections) etc.[ii] Its ju-

diciously use can improve the virility of the person.[iii] On

the other hand, if the mineral is not processed properly

and used in its impure form; causes skin diseases, in-

crease in body temperature, giddiness and diseases of

Pitta doṣa, adversely affects the body radiance, overall

health and virility.[iv] Hence, its śodhana becomes essen-

tial and is exclusively emphasized in all Rasa classics.

Śodhana process is said to eliminate physical and chem-

ical blemishes, make the material suitable for further pro-

cessing or use in therapeutics. Various studies proved the

need and impact of śodhana of metals and minerals. [v]

Various techniques and different media are referred in

Ayurveda classics for the Śodhana of Gandhaka.

Dhālana (quenching) in Godugdha (cow’s milk) is the

frequently used method.[vi] Difficulty in removing fat con-

tent on surface of Gandhaka after quenching is one of

the difficult area faced in routine as Gandhaka forms into

a lump after Dhālana . Moreover, the verse highlighting

the procedure, didn’t mention about the quantity of ghee

to be used in the pharmaceutical procedure. So, there is

a need to revalidate the procedure of Gandhaka Śo-

dhana with some modifications to overcome such difficul-

ties, which is attempted in the current study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Procurement of Raw Drugs: Aśuddha Gandhaka was

procured from Pharmacy, Gujarat Ayurved University;

while Godugdha and Goghrita were procured from local

market, Jamnagar. Potable water was used for washing

of Śuddha Gandhaka.

Method: The procedure of Śodhana can be divided into

three stages (Figure – 1, Figure – 2.1& 2.2)

1) Pre-process (Purvakarma),

2) Main process (Pradhanakarma),

3) Post process (Paschatkarma)

Pre-process (Pūrva karma): Physical impurities were re-

moved to the possible extent from Aśuddha Gandhaka

and powdered in a mortar. This was passed through

sieve no 60# to obtain a homogenous powder. On the

other hand, boiled Godugdha was taken in a stainless

steel vessel. Over the mouth of this vessel, a 40# sieve

that is covered by a cotton cloth, smeared with Goghrita

was placed.

Main process (Pradhāna karma): Dhālana with some

modifications was used for Śodhana of Gandhaka. Pow-

dered Aśuddha Gandhaka sieved through 60# was

taken in a stainless steel vessel, added with 1/8th pro-

portion of Goghrita and melted over Mandāgni maintain-

ing temperature around 1200C. On complete melting the

liquefied Gandhaka was poured into Godugdha through

the cloth smeared with ghee placed on sieve. On cool-

ing, granular Gandhaka was carefully collected from the

vessel.

Post process (Pashchāt karma): Procured Gandhaka was

washed with hot water for three times, shade dried, pow-

dered and stored in a glass container.

Following the same procedure, total five batches each of

250g, 500g and 750g of Aśuddha Gandhaka were pro-

cessed.

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

The colour of Aśuddha Gandhaka was lemon yellow with

shining crystalline particles. During the process of melt-

ing, first it converted into semi solid mass then it gets solid

structure just before complete melting of Gandhaka. On

melting, it formed yellowish red homogenous mixture.

Around 4% of physical impurities like sand etc. were ob-

served on the cloth. Final product was amorphous light

yellowish colored matter. Duration of melting was grad-

ually increased from the second and third Dhālana pro-

cess. Details along with results obtained during the pro-

cess are mentioned at Table-1. Observations of media

are depicted at Table-2, while organoleptic characters of

Gandhaka and media for fifteen batches are placed at

Table-3. The vessel specifications are given at Table-4.

DISCUSSION

Śodhita Gandhaka is having prime importance in Ayur-

vedic pharmaceutics and used as integral component in

maximum herbo-mineral formulations. With the evolution

of Rasaśāstra, this mineral was given its due importance.

It is most useful Rasa dravya in both dehavāda and

dhātuvāda. Various procedures are described like

A


Dhālana , Putapāka, [vii] Swedana, [viii] Bhāvana [ix] etc for

Gandhaka śodhana. In current śodhana, milk was used

as media. Impure Gandhaka may contain physical impu-

rities like foreign particles (sand/stones etc.) and chemi-

cal impurities like arsenical sand other substances. Dur-

ing the process of melting in Goghrita and quenching in

milk; fat and water soluble chemical impurities and phys-

ical impurities (through filtering) will be removed.

By this process; the impurities of sulphur can be elimi-

nated in three ways. Physical impurities insoluble in ghee

or milk are cannot pass through the cloth and trapped

during filtering. Fat soluble undesirable impurities possi-

bly dissolve in Goghrita and fat portion of Godugdha

and float over milk, while water soluble impurities may

dissolve in aqueous portion of Godugdha. Preferring milk

as a media is also to avoid possible toxicity with Sulphur.

Classics also prefer addition of warm milk with little quan-

tity of ghee as antidote in sulphur toxicity.[x] Finally ob-

tained Śuddha Gandhaka is amorphous, smooth and

bright yellow in colour. This may be due to the rearrange-

ment of crystals of Gandhaka after subjecting to heat and

quenching in Godugdha.

Obtained results showed that the average time taken for

melting of Gandhaka was 5.8 min in 250 gm batch,

while 12.4 min and 13.2 min in 500 gm and 750 gm

batches respectively. This may be due to thickness of the

mass of sulphur which is more in 500 and 750 gm batch.

This makes the melting of sulphur in layers. The lower

layer of sulphur which is directly contact of surface melt

first while upper layers took more time.

The generally followed procedure of quenching the mol-

ten mineral through ghee smeared cloth into a liquid has

certain disadvantage. The quenched mineral will form

into a lump trapping fat content and ghee in its internal

surface that will be difficult to remove even with washing

with hot water. The lumps also take a larger amount of

time to get melted on further processes of melting. To

overcome such difficulties; some modifications were car-

ried out in this current attempt to provide added ad-

vantages:

1) Ghee smeared cloth was placed over a 40# sieve to

avoid lump formation of Sulphur after pouring in the

media. Using a sieve brought definite pharmaceuti-

cal benefits.

2) The vessel for keeping the liquid (Godugdha) should

be cylindrical.

3) Different proportions of Goghrita are mentioned for

Gandhaka Śodhana. In current study, 1/8th propor-

tion of Ghrita is used for Śodhana. It can be consid-

ered as sufficient quantity as sticking and burning of

Gandhaka is not observed in any of the batches.

4) Similarly, proportion of milk also varies from classic

to classic. In the current attempt, double the quantity

of milk was used that is sufficient for quenching the

mineral.

5) While pouring the molten mineral into the liquid; the

vessel and the sieve need to be shaken gently that

facilitate granular forming.

6) Poured Gandhaka was found in granular form in-

stead of lump, further increasing the surface area of

the mineral providing greater chances of reacting

with the media and eliminating possible (chemical)

impurities.

7) The granular sulphur can easily be melted in further

successive processes of Dhālana.

8) Fat content attached to Gandhaka can be easily re-

moved during washing due to its granular form. With

maximum three washings with hot water; non-sticky

Gandhaka can be obtained facilitating further pro-

cesses like preparation of Kajjali. Three washings

yield good quality of Sulphur; seven washings are

not needed.

9) The media should be warm maintaining temperature

in between 600 – 700 C.

10) Gandhaka becomes soft and brittle in nature that can

be easily powdered.

Precautions:

1) Controlled heating over Mandāgni (around 1200C)

should be given with continuous stirring of molten

mass. If high flame is used, sulphur will easily catches

fire and burns, as it is a combustible mineral. On

burning, the mineral attains a blackish shade, which

is undesirable for therapeutics.

2) Milk in the vessel should be warm, not cold. If molten

sulphur is poured into cold milk, the milk and ghee

enter into the cavities of sulphur and later becomes

difficult to wash even with warm water.[xi]

3) Smearing of cotton cloth with Goghrita should be

done to avoid adhering of Gandhaka to the cloth

and easy filtration.

4) Collecting vessel and sieve both should be shaken

gently while pouring of molten Gandhaka to avoid

lump formation and yielding granular Sulphur.

5) Unfiltered, trapped, solidified Gandhaka can be

again melted and poured through cloth into milk to

avoid loss.


CONCLUSION

Maximum herbo-mineral formulations contain Gandhaka

as an integral part, hence, this mineral need to be pro-

cessed carefully. Powdering and passing the mineral

through 60# (to form Gandhaka Raja), using a cylindri-

cal vessel and a sieve over the mouth of the vessel cov-

ered with ghee smeared cloth will yield a good percent-

age and quality of Śodhita Gandhaka. By this proce-

dure, an average of 95.36% yield was obtained. Find-

ings of the present study ensure the uniformity in the op-

erative procedures that can be followed even in larger

batches.

Table 1: Observations during Gandhaka Śodhana

Wt. of Aśuddha

Gandhaka (gm)

Duration of

melting (min)

Temp

(°C)

Wt. of impurities

on the cloth (gm)

Śuddha

Gandhaka (gm)

Loss of

Gandhaka

(%)

1 250 5 119 11 239 4.4

2 250 6 118 10 240 4.0

3 250 5 121 14 236 5.6

4 250 7 120 12 238 4.8

5 250 6 118 10 240 4.0

Avg. 250 5.8 119.2 11.4 (4.56%) 238.6 4.5

1 500 13 119 22 478 4.4

2 500 12 120 24 476 4.8

3 500 14 118 20 480 4.0

4 500 11 117 19 481 3.8

5 500 12 119 21 479 4.2

Avg. 500 12.4 118.6 21.2 (4.24%) 478.8 4.3

1 750 12 118 42 705 6.0

2 750 14 119 31 716 4.42

3 750 12 121 41 707 5.85

4 750 13 120 27 721 3.85

5 750 15 119 38 709 5.42

Avg. 750 13.2 119.4 35.8 (4.77%) 711.6 5.2

Table 2: Observations of media during Gandhaka Śodhana

Quantity of media / Milk Temp. of media / Milk

Before

Dhālana (ml)

After Dhālana

(ml)

Before Dhālana

(0C)

Immediately after

Dhālana (0C)

1 500 512 62 89

2 500 518 57 81

3 500 510 65 85

4 500 514 59 80

5 500 508 54 76

Avg. 500 512.4 59.4 82.2

1 1000 1012 58 85

2 1000 1020 62 78

3 1000 1015 55 89

4 1000 1018 59 81

5 1000 1025 57 84

Avg. 1000 1018 58.2 83.5

1 1500 1528 55 84

2 1500 1548 58 90

3 1500 1524 60 86

4 1500 1534 53 88

5 1500 1556 56 82

Avg. 1500 1538 56.4 86


Table 3: Organoleptic characters of Gandhaka and Media

Parameters

Gandhaka Godugdha

Before Śodhana After

Śodhana

Before Śo-

dhana

After

Śodhana

1. Appearance Crystalline Amorphous Liquid Viscous liquid

2. Colour Pale yellow Bright yellow White Creamish with

frothing

3. Touch Hard Smooth Non sticky Sticky

4. Odour Sulfurious Sulfurious Sweet Sulfurious

Table 4: Equipment and their specifications in preparation of GandhakaŚodhana

Stainless steel vessel

(For melting Gandhaka)

Depth 10 cm

Diameter 20cm

Circumference 62 cm

Capacity 2 lit

Stainless steel vessel

(For Godugdha)

Depth 21 cm

Diameter 17.5 cm

Circumference 55 cm

Capacity 12 lit

Stainless steel ladle Length 25.5 cm

Cotton cloth Area 1 × 1 meter

Weighing Balance Maximum capacity 25kg

Minimum capacity 10g

Measuring jar Maximum capacity 2 lit

Stainless steel tray Length 20 cm

Breath 20 cm


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Source of Support: Department of Rasa Śāstra and Bhaishjya

Kalpana, Institute for post graduate teaching and Research in

Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University,

Jamnagar

Conflict of Interest: None declared

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How to cite this article: Krushnkumar et al.: Modified methods for

Gandhaka śodhana – A Pilot Study AAMJ 2016; 2: 587 – 593.

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