Open AccessArsenicals in Ayurveda – A Review through Brihatrayi
Author(s) -
Shivanand T Biradar,
Swapnil Y Chaudhary,
R Galib,
PK Prajapati
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of ayurvedic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0976-5921
DOI - 10.47552/ijam.v6i2.598
Subject(s) - arsenic trioxide , arsenic , traditional medicine , medicine , chemistry , organic chemistry
Metals and minerals including heavy metals like mercury, lead and arsenic are most frequently utilized in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Use of arsenicals is an integral component in Ayurvedic therapeutics. In Ayurveda, arsenicals comprise Haratala (Arsenic trisulphide), Manahshila (Arsenic disulphide) and Somala (Arsenic trioxide). They were widely practiced for various therapeutic and non-therapeutic purposes by the seers in different pathological manifestations with great conviction. Classics of Brihatrayi, one of the scheduled books of Ayurveda also hold ample references of arsenicals in diseases like Hicca (hiccup), Shwasa (respiratory distress), Shotha (oedema), Visha (Poison) and Kushta (skin diseases) etc. In the current review, an attempt has been made to compile all such references of arsenicals referred in Brihatrayi.