Analytical Study of Loha Bhasma and Lohaguggulu

— Rasashastra deals with metals and minerals and its therapeutic effect ,which is now a part of ayurveda.Metals like loha are using in ayurvedic pharmaceutics in many diseases especially in pandu ,kamala . This study was carried out to find out physicochemical and analytical changes that occurred during conversion of loha bhasma from loha choorna and to carry out analytical study of lohaguggulu. Loha churna was subjected to samanya shodhana and vishesha shodhana to prepare the bhasma. Then it was used to prepare lohaguggulu mentioned in rasayana adhikara of bhavaprakasha. Analytical studies were done to know the differences during each of the preparation stages. Xray Diffractogram (XRD) and High power thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) were done to find out the active ingredients in loha bhasma and lohaguggulu. Positive physicochemical changes were seen after conversion from loha choorna to loha bhasma. More active ingredients like iron oxides were seen in final formulation lohaguggulu and loha bhasma. A big reduction in particle size distribution was observed in loha bhasma. It is because of the result of bhavana and putapaka which helps to reduce particle size and increase the surface area of bhasma which would help easy absorbtion and assimilation into body.