A REVIEW ON RASANJANA- A MINERAL

Gazala Hussain*

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda pharmaceutics deals with two branches, Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana. Rasashastra is Indian alchemy where drugs of varied origin like minerals, metals, etc. are utilized in therapeutics after subjecting it to various processes and bringing it to a suitable dosage form. The minerals are classified into different groups namely maharasa, uparasa, sadharana rasa, etc. based on its utility in processes of mercury. Among the uparasa is mineral termed Rasanjana that is a type of Anjana. There is a controversy relating to rasanjana mentioned in classics and the one in practice. It is understood as a mineral ore i.e., yellow oxide of mercury with the references available in literature of rasashastra, but the one in practice is a concentrated form of Berberis aristata. As both are beneficial in eye disorders it has continued to be in usage till date.

Keywords: Alchemy, Ayurveda pharmaceutics, Rasanjana, Mineral.