Non Herbal Medicament in Eastern Medicine

Ayurveda uses herbs in many forms: fresh juices (svarasa), crushed pulp or paste of the plant (kalka), decoction (kvatha), hot infusion (phant), cold infusion (hima), milk decoction, powder (churna), pills (guti), tablets (vati), medicated wines (asavas and arishtas), medicated jellies (avalehas), medicates oils (siddha taila) and medicated ghee (siddha ghrita). In addition to plants, Ayurveda has been using non-herbal sources for centuries.

Minerals can weigh down and calm the mind more effectively than herbs. They are strong sedatives and can only be used with right knowledge.

Rasa Preparation are specific alchemical preparations using humanized forms of metals. They are important in Rasayana, or rejuvenation therapy, and have a powerful action on the nervous system.

Pearl is used to treat Pitta disorders such as heat rash, pimples, blemishes, ulcers, sores, hypertension, and excessive anger with blurred vision. It is an important ingredient  in many oriental beauty creams, that make the skin smoother, softer, clearer, and less wrinkled. Pearl powder is the main ingredient in Margarite Acne Pills, which are well known as an effective acne treatment. See “Pearl Powder – an Excellent Treatment for Acne”.

Bhasmas are specifically incinerated ashes of metals making them non-toxic to the body. They are combined with herbs with similar properties which increase the effectiveness of formula. For example, Gypsum ash (Godanti bhasma) is used with aloe juice and honey for fever, flu, cough, headache, and malaria. Iron ash in compound with Trikatu, Triphala, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom is a part of Navayas Loha Guti, the main Ayurvedic anti-anemia remedy.

Gugguls are made from the resin of Guggul tree (Commiphora Mukul). It is widely used against ama (an accumulation of cholesterol, thickened mucus, and other impurities associated with the aging process). See “Guggul for Clear Channels and Blood”.

Shilajit is obtained from rocks in the Himalayan region. Its Sanskrit meaning is “conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness”. It is a form of mineral that drips from the cracks of rocks during hot weather. The bio-transformed plant matter is extruded from the rocks by geothermal pressures in raw form for further purification. It increases the core energy and renews vitality.

Animal preparations can also be used. Conch shell ash (Shankta bhasma) is prescribed with water for hyper acidity, indigestion, gas, and distention. Deer horn ash (Shringa bhasma) with aloe juice and honey is used by Ayurvedic specialists for lung diseases, cough, pneumonia, and chest pain.

TODAY’S TIP: Metals in their pure form are toxic. Ayurveda has been using them in compounds for thousands of years. They long ago figured out how to neutralize the toxic effect and leave intact the healing properties of the metals. This fascinating process includes soaking and boiling of metals in various herbal preparations and incineration (up to one thousand times) by extremely high temperatures.