Understanding Bhasmas in Ayurveda: A Deep Dive into Their Healing Powers

Bhasmas, ash-like Ayurvedic preparations, are crafted through meticulous incineration and purification of starter materials, often blended with minerals or herbal extracts. Swarna Bhasma (gold ash) and others maintain body alkalinity, neutralise harmful acids, and avoid toxic metabolites. Their ultra-fine particle size (1-2 microns) enhances absorption. Preparation methods like parpati, rasayoga, and sindora incorporate elements such as iron or copper, tailoring therapeutic effects. 

Despite their efficacy, incomplete physicochemical standardisation poses challenges, necessitating rigorous quality and safety assessments to ensure purity, effectiveness, and acceptance of these potent formulations. 

Read on to know about Bhasmas:

Types of Bhasmas Used in Ayurveda

Bhasmas are significant in Ayurveda because they deliver potent therapeutic effects in minute doses. Below are some common types, with their therapeutic uses:

Features of Bhasma

Let’s explore the physical and chemical characteristics of Bhasma:

Physical Features:

Here are some of the physical features of Bhasma:

• Colour: Each Bhasma has a specific colour, usually white, pale, or red, depending on the starting material.
• No Shine: Bhasma should not have any shine or gloss when viewed in bright sunlight. If it shines, it needs more burning.
• Light and Fine: Bhasma should be so light and fine that it floats on still water, following the principle of surface tension.
• Smooth Feel: Bhasma should feel smooth and be easily absorbed by the body without irritating the stomach or intestines.
• Powder Form: Bhasma should be a fine powder, with particles as small and fine as the pollen of the ketaki flower.

Chemical Characteristic

• Apunarbhavata: Bhasma cannot return to its original metal form. To test this, mix Bhasma with equal amounts of Abrus precatorius seeds, honey, ghee, and borax, seal it in clay pots, and heat it steadily. After cooling naturally, check if the Bhasma remains unchanged.
• Niruttha: This test determines whether a metallic Bhasma can revert to its metal form. Mix Bhasma with a specific weight of silver leaf, seal it in clay pots, and heat it consistently. After cooling, weigh the silver leaf. If the silver weighs more, the Bhasma was not prepared properly.

How is Bhasma Prepared

Selection of Material:

• Choose the metal, mineral, or animal product (e.g., silver, gold, or herbs) to be turned into Bhasma.

Shodhana (Purification):

• Clean the chosen material to remove external and internal impurities.
• Use specific processes to eliminate harmful substances from the material.
• Modify undesirable physical properties to make the material suitable for further processing.
• Transform certain characteristics of the material to enhance its therapeutic effects.

Preparation for Marana:

• Place the purified material in a mortar and pestle.
• Add specified plant juices, decoctions (kashayas), mercury, mercury compounds (e.g., mercury perchloride or sulfur-mercury amalgam), or other prescribed substances.
• Grind the mixture for a set period to ensure proper blending.

Marana (Calcination/Burning):

• For inorganic materials (e.g., metals like silver):
• Place the ground mixture in a closed crucible.
• Seal the crucible and bury it in a pit with cow dung cakes (puttam).
• Apply controlled heat to burn the material until it turns into ash (Bhasma).
• For organic materials (e.g., herbs):
• Burn the material in open air or in freshly made closed containers (puta-paka process).
• The main metal being processed is called the primary metal (pradhandhatu). Any additional metal used in small amounts to aid the process is called the secondary metal (sahayadhatu).

Collection of Bhasma:

• Allow the burnt material to cool naturally.
• Collect the resulting ash, which is the Bhasma. For example, silver processed this way becomes Rajata Bhasma.
• If herbs are used along with primary metals during marana, the final product is called Mulikamarita Bhasma.

Testing the Bhasma:

• Check the Bhasma for required physical and chemical properties (e.g., colour, fineness, inability to revert to metallic form) to ensure it is properly prepared and safe for therapeutic use.

Quality Control Criteria for Bhasma

Below are the traditional standards used to check if a Bhasma is properly prepared after incineration, ensuring it meets the required quality for therapeutic use:

1. No Metallic Shine:

When observed under light, the Bhasma must not have any metallic gleam or lustre. This confirms complete incineration, as any shine indicates incomplete processing.

2. Fineness (Rekhapurnatvam):

When rubbed between the thumb and index finger, the Bhasma should be so fine that it fills the tiny lines and crevices of the skin. It should stay in these lines even after washing, showing its ultra-fine texture.

3. Floating on Water (Varitaratvam):

A small amount of Bhasma, when sprinkled on still, cold water, should float on the surface. This indicates its lightness and proper preparation, based on surface tension.

4. Non-Reversible (Apurnabhava):

After preparation, the Bhasma should not revert to its original metallic or material form. This ensures the transformation into a stable, therapeutic ash is complete.

5. Tasteless:

When consumed, the bhasma should have no taste. Its lack of taste confirms that it is fully processed and suitable for medicinal use.

6. No Nausea (Avami):

When taken, the Bhasma should not cause nausea or discomfort. This indicates it is safe and well-tolerated by the body.

Conclusion

Bhasmas represent a unique convergence of ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and early nanotechnology, offering potent remedies for various health conditions. Their role in Ayurveda is rooted in their ability to balance doshas, enhance bioavailability, and promote rejuvenation. The meticulous preparation process, involving purification, levigation, and incineration, transforms raw materials like gold, mercury, and lead into safe, therapeutic ashes. Swarna Bhasma stands out for its versatility, addressing immunity, cognitive health, and chronic diseases among the various types. However, using potentially toxic substances like mercury and lead underscores the importance of rigorous standardisation and professional guidance. 

As Ayurveda gains global recognition, bhasmas continue to captivate researchers and practitioners, bridging traditional healing with modern science. By respecting their potency and ensuring safe use, bhasmas can unlock profound benefits for holistic well-being.

FAQs

1. What are Bhasmas in Ayurveda?

Bhasmas are special powders from metals, minerals, or herbs in Ayurveda. They are processed carefully to make them safe and used to treat health problems like weak immunity, diabetes, or joint pain.

2. What is Swarna Bhasma, and what does it do?

Swarna Bhasma is a gold powder. It helps boost immunity, improve memory, increase appetite, and relieve joint pain in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

3. How is the quality of Bhasma ensured during preparation?

The quality of Bhasma is checked through traditional tests, including ensuring it has no metallic shine, is fine enough to fill finger crevices, floats on water, does not revert to its original form, is tasteless, and does not cause nausea. These tests confirm that the Bhasma is properly prepared and safe for use.

4. Why is standardisation important for Bhasmas?

Standardisation is crucial because Bhasmas often involve potentially toxic materials like mercury or lead. Rigorous quality and safety checks ensure purity, effectiveness, and freedom from harmful impurities, making them safe for therapeutic use and increasing their acceptance in modern medicine.