Review Article
Year: 2025 |Volume: 6 | Issue: 12 |Pages: 51-54
Pharmaceutical Study of Gandhaka Rasayana and its Medicinal Importance.
About Author
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Sachin Maruti Kalamkar Assistant professor, Rasashastra and bhaishajya kalpana department, G. S. Gune Ayurved college Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, India. Email- Kalamkarsachin121@gmail.com , Mobile no: - 8668869008
Date of Acceptance: 2025-12-18
Date of Publication:2026-01-03
Article-ID:IJIM_490_01_26 http://ijim.co.in
Source of Support: Nill
Conflict of Interest: Non declared
How To Cite This Article: Kalamkar S. Pharmaceutical Study of Gandhaka Rasayana and its Medicinal Importance. Int J Ind Med 2025;6(12):51-54 DOI: http://doi.org/10.55552/IJIM.2025.61208
Abstract
Ayurveda aims to achieve a healthy, long, and prosperous life through the maintenance of bodily equilibrium and prevention of disease. Among its fundamental frameworks, Ashtanga Ayurveda forms the core of classical medical practice. Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, which evolved prominently from the 8th century onwards, represent the pharmaceutical branch of Ayurveda and encompass the preparation and therapeutic application of herbo-mineral formulations, including metals, minerals, Bhasmas, and Kalpas. Certain drugs described in Rasashastra are of mythological origin, such as Parada derived from Shivabija and Gandhaka from Shivangiraja, emphasizing their revered status in Ayurvedic literature. Gandhaka (Sulphur) is considered a potent Rasayana drug due to its multifaceted therapeutic properties, particularly its role as Raktashodhaka (blood purifier) and Twaka Roganashaka (curative for skin disorders). Gandhaka Rasayana is a well-established classical herbo-mineral formulation extensively used in clinical practice for the management of various Twaka Vikaras such as Kushtha, Vicharchika, and other chronic dermatological conditions. The efficacy and safety of Gandhaka Rasayana largely depend on proper Shodhana (purification) of Gandhaka, which can be carried out using different media such as Dugdha (milk), Guduchi Swarasa, and other herbal liquids, as described in classical texts.The present study aims to review and elaborate upon the pharmaceutical aspects, methods of Shodhana, preparation procedures, and therapeutic properties of Gandhaka Rasayana. Emphasis is given to its pharmacological actions, clinical utility, and relevance in contemporary Ayurvedic practice, highlighting its significance as a safe and effective Rasayana formulation when prepared according to classical guidelines.
Keywords: Gandhaka Rasayana, Pharmaceutical, Therapeutic uses.
Introduction
The aim of Ayurveda is to achieve healthy and prosperous life. Ayurveda has various principles and treatment modalities, in which it includes ‘Ashtanga Ayurveda’1. Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana is one of the important medicinal principle, which has pharmaceutical branch since from 8th century. It includes various minerals, Bhasmas, Kalpas, etc. which also includes mythologically drugs originated like Parada from Shivabija and Gandhaka from Shivangiraja2. Gandhaka is also known as Sulphur. It is one among Uparasa Varga in Rasa Shastra. It was used in different formulations in Ayurveda. Also used in various diseases3. Gandhaka stands next to Parada in the field of Rasa shastra. Gandhaka is one of the Rasayana drug, Raktashodhaka and Twachya. Gandhaka Rasayana is one of the Herbo-mineral formulation used in the therapeutics. Here, the term Rasayana stands for longevity. Rasayana is unique concept of Ayurveda. Gandhaka having Gu?a-dharma like K?umighna, Ku??haghna, Ka??ughna4. Gandhaka has wide range of applications in Twaka Vikaras like Kushtha, Vicharchika etc. There are various modes for the Shodhana of Gandhaka like Shodhana with the help of Dugdha, Guduchi Swarasa etc. In this study, we include Pharmaceutical and medicinal properties of Gandhaka Rasayana.
Aim & Objectives of the study –
Aim – Medicinal properties & preparation of Gandhaka Rasayana.
Objectives –
- To prepare Gandhaka Rasayana as per Rasatarangini.
- To study the medicinal properties of Gandhaka Rasayana.
Materials & methods –
Review of Gandhaka –
Symbol : S
English Name : Sulphur
Synonym5: Gauripushpa, Kushthari, Bali, Kitaghna, Pamari, Lelitaka, Navanita, Rasagandhaka.
Physical properties of Gandhaka6 :
Sulphur is a yellow solid with no taste and odour. It is freely soluble in carbon disulphide but insoluble in water and sparingly soluble in alcohol and ether. Its vapours are poisonous for bacteria and fungi but not for animals or human beings. Sulphur is soluble in Tila Taila (Oil of Sesamum indicum) in the Ratio of 1:16, when heating it at low temperature.
Pharmacological and therapeutic properties7 :
Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Snigdha, Sara
Virya : Ushna
Vipaka : Katu. Madhura
Karma :
- Doshika - Kapha Vatahara and Pittajanana
- Systemic- Dipana, Pachana, Amajirna Prashamana, Sara, Vishaghna, Balya, Yogavahi.
- Therapeutic- Kandu, Kushtha, Visarpa, Dadru, Krimi, Kasa, Shvasa etc.
- Pharmacological8 - may be used for disinfectant, destroying bacteria fungi and insects.
Characters of Sulphur9:
Atomic number : 16
Atomic weight : 32.064
Boiling point : 444.6 0C
Melting point : 119.0
Matra of Shodhita Gandhaka10 –
The Matra of Shuddha Gandhaka according to the Rasa Tarangini is – 1 Ratti to 8 Ratti.
Shodhana of Gandhaka11,12 –
Procedure:
- Hot milk was poured in a vessel and a Ghee smeared cloth was tied covering its mouth.
- Now, Gandhaka was powdered with the help of Khalva yantra.
- Put the Gandhaka over the tied cloth covering the mouth of the vessel.
- The mouth of the vessel is covered with another vessel or Kharpara of Mruttika.
- Then vessel was poured into the pit.
- Above the poured vessel burn the Vanyotapala.
- Due to this the Gandhaka presented in the vessel was melted and collected in the vessel which is already poured with the milk.
- When the Gandhaka was cooled down; then it was washed with the help of Koshna Jala.
Organoleptic parameters of Gandhaka Rasayana13 –
|
Parameters |
Gandhaka Rasayana |
|
Shabda |
- |
|
Sparsha |
Soft, smooth |
|
Rupa |
Brown |
|
Rasa |
Sweet, astringent, sour |
|
Gandha |
Like Ardraka |
Preparation of Gandhaka Rasayana14,15 – Shuddha Gandhaka was taken and subjected to first Godugdha for 3 times, followed by bhavana with Chaturjata Kwatha, Guduchi Swarasa, Triphala Kwatha, Shunthi Kwatha, Bhringraja Swarasa, Ardraka Swarasa for 8 times each. Then the Gandhaka was collected and mixed with equal quantity of sugar.
Discussion
Gandhaka Rasayana has been explained in various texts using different ingredients like Rasa Sindura, Su.Gandhaka, Tamra bhasma, Louha bhasma, Pippali with bhavana by Nimbu Swarasa and taken in the dose of 4 Ratti with Madhu and Ghrita as Anupana. But most of the texts explain to prepare it by using Shuddha Gandhaka giving bhavana with Godugdha, Chaturjata Hima, Triphala Kwatha, Guduchi Swarasa, Ardraka Swarasa and Bhringaraja. As per Ayurveda Prakasha, Gandhaka Rasayana should be administered after Shodhana of the body. Gandhaka is one of the Uparasa varga in Rasashastra. It stands next to Parada in importance. Regarding its origin there is mythological story where it is said to be the menstrual fluid of Goddess Paravathi or Balivasa. Various synonyms of Gandhaka convey different meanings, denoting its action, origin, colour and smell etc. Gandhaka which is Peeta varna, shiny resembles riped Aamalaki is Grahya.
Conclusion
Gandhaka Rasayana is one of the Herbo-mineral preparation with Shuddha Gandhaka as it is processed with various Bhavana Dravyas. It is an Khalviya Rasayana as it has only Gandhaka ingredient. The Bhavana Dravyas enhanced the properties of Gandhaka. It contains the alkaloids derived from the Bhavana Dravyas. It has antifungal activity, used for various skin diseases, acts as Raktashodhaka, Krumighna, Kushthaghna.
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