COMPARATIVE PHARMACEUTICAL STANDARDIZATION OF NAGA BHASMA (INCINERATED LEAD) PREPARED BY TWO DIFFERENT METHODS

Bhasma preparation is complex process which involves several steps. These steps are considerably differs based on the herbal, metallic and mineral media utilized for incineration cycles. In the context of Naga Bhasma, it is observed that, Bhasma preparation form herbal media require Jarana process; lepa(application of layer over metal) procedure is required when one utilizes mineral media and Pishti (amalgam) preparation is required while utilizing Parada (mercury) media. Some research works has been published on pharmaceutical standardization of Naga Bhasma but till date no work has been published on comparative pharmaceutical standardization of Naga Bhasma prepared by two different methods. Aim of the present study was to establish comparative pharmaceutical standardization of Naga Bhasmaprepared by two different methods. Samanya shodhana of Naga was done by three times quenching in Tila taila, Takra, Gomutra, Kanji and Kulattha kwatha. Vishesha shodhana was done by seven times quenching of melted Naga in Churnodaka. Naga Bhasma was prepared in six batches, three batches with Vasa (Adhatoda vasaica Niss.) as herbal media and three batches with Parada as media. Maximum 6500C temperature and seven incineration cycles were found sufficient for Naga Bhasma prepared by both methods. Average 69.4 % and 30.11 % Naga Bhasma was obtained from Vasa and Parada media respectively. Bhasma prepared from Vasa media was red while from Parada media was dark black.