A LITERARY REVIEW ON VISHAGHNA (ANTI-TOXIC) PROPERTY OF GAIRIKA (RED OCHRE)
*Dr. Virnodkar Pratha P. and Dr. Newaskar Undale Vidya
ABSTRACT
Gairika also known as Red ocre is one among the Uparasa. It is chemically symbolized as Fe2O3 and has three types namely Swarnagairik, Pashanagairik, and Samanyagairika.[1] It is the Upadhatu of loha dhatu i.e Iron. Gairika is a natural hematite mineral that occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks as an accessory mineral with other iron-titanium oxide minerals. Gairika is one of the contents of various Vishaghna kalpas (anti-toxic formulations) mentioned in Vishachikitsa.It is widely used for Abyantara and Bahya chikitsa in diseases caused due to Visha as a result of contact or ingestion of Stavara or Jangam Visha. There are various properties of Gairika which results in anti-toxic effect such as use of Gairika in the second vishavega as Hrudaya Raksha(protection of Heart). Objective: This article attempts to screen Ayurvedic samhitas of Agdatantra, Rasashatra for various references of Gairika being Vishaghna or Anti-toxic. Methods: Such references were collected, evaluated and grouped according to indication from various samhitas. Conclusion: This article is a simple compilation focusing on the Anti-toxic properties of Gairika to promote its application in treatment of Visha rogas.
Keywords: Gairika, Red ocre, Anti-toxic, Vishaghna.
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