A Review Study on Ancient Drug - Mukta

Abstract

For thousands of years, Rasa Shastra, also known as Ancient Indian alchemy, has been a part of the medical field that has benefited humanity. In Rasa Shastra, the Ancient Alchemists were particularly interested in Rasa, which means Mercury. Rasa Shastra also studies and prepares different herbo-mineral compounds. And the safe use of Mercurial preparations as medicines from many years, Rasa Shastra also deals with study and the preparation of other herbo-mineral chemicals using various plant drugs and animal origin. One of the drugs, the most widely used in Rasa Shastra is Mukta or Pearl. There are various categories or groups of drugs (Varga) used in Rasa Shastra viz. Maharasas, Uparasas etc. and Mukta is divided under the Ratna (precious treasures) Varga. Mukta, also known as Pearl, is one of the medications that is most frequently utilized in Rasa Shastra. Mukta is a spherical, solid black, dazzling white fish that lives in the water. Its advantageous appearance makes it a common ingredient in apparel, cosmetics, and jewellery. It is created by encircling the center nucleus with many layers of conchiolin and calcium carbonate. Classics of Rasa Shastra state that Madhura, Sheeta, and Laghu belong to Mukta. Additionally, it is frequently used as a potent Pitta Shamaka. Procedures for purification and Pishti are also mentioned in the classics of Rasa Shastra, which makes pearls extremely effective for curing illnesses. In Amlapitta, Jwara and Daha, Mukta is widely used in various forms. The aim of the study is to have a critical review on the conceptual study of Mukta.