Fundamental Principles of Rasashastra: An Overview of Iatrochemistry in Ayurveda

Abstract

Basic principles of iatrochemistry are those concepts that have been tried and tested in various ways and which are required to be known in connected science. Rasashastra, Indian alchemy, is the unique branch of Ayurveda that is considered to be Indian pharmaceutics of herbo-mineral remedies. The fundamental principles connected to the foundation and evolution of Rasashastra are not clearly defined and are scattered in various ancient classical texts. Therefore, an attempt has been made to review these fundamental principles systematically and explanatorily. Therefore, in the present work, an attempt has been made to set up a full-fledged review of basic principles of Rasashastra and elucidate their distinguishing features. Lohavada and Dehavada, eighteen ways of treating mercury, Rasashastra terminology, instruments, crucibles, blowers, the pit of incineration of metals/minerals purification, incineration, Amrutikarana, Lohitikaran, Satvapatan, the test of incinerated material, and levigation are the basic principles of Rasashastra. The aim of this article is to combine the understanding of these principles with regard to both Ayurvedic and contemporary science as the foundation for research and development in Rasashastra.