Shamja C. Shamsudheen et al / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 13 (5), 2022 137 Review Article www.ijrap.net (ISSN Online:2229–3566, ISSN Print:2277–4343) CONCEPT OF SHODHANA IN AYURVEDIC PHARMACEUTICS: A REVIEW Shamja C. Shamsudheen 1 *, KL Virupaksha Gupta 2 , B. Saravanan 3 1 PG Scholar, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya kalpana, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Ayurveda College and Hospital, Nazarathpet, Chennai, India 2 Professor & HOD, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya kalpana, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Ayurveda College and Hospital, Nazarathpet, Chennai, India 3 Associate Professor, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya kalpana, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Ayurveda College and Hospital, Nazarathpet, Chennai, India Received on: 17/07/22 Accepted on: 05/08/22 *Corresponding author E-mail: drshamjashihab5000@gmail.com DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.1305142 ABSTRACT Rasaushadhis (herbomineral preparations) are a treasure in Ayurveda. They assure fast recovery of diseases as compared with plant-based medicine. These medicines require lengthy processing before conversion into admissible forms. The processes like Shodhana (purification), Marana (incineration), Amrutikarana (nectarization), Bhasmikarana, Satwapatana etc., are adopted to achieve this. Before the metals and minerals are used for therapeutic benefit, it is necessary to eliminate all the physical, chemical, and toxic impurities. Shodhana is the first and most crucial procedure adopted to achieve this. References from Rasashastra textbooks like Rasa Ratna Samuchaya (RRS), Rasa Tarangini (RT), and Ayurveda prakasha (AP) are reviewed and incorporated in this article. Various methods like Nirvapa, Swedana, Pachana, Bhavana, Dhalana, Nimajjana, etc., are adopted for shodhana. These methods are done with the help of instruments like Dolayantra, Swedani Yantra, Lohadarvi (iron spoon), Vanka Nala etc. Various media like Kanji, Takra, Aranala, Gomutra etc., are used depending on the nature of the materials. Shodhana removes the physical and chemical impurities and potentiates the drug's efficacy, which, in turn, reduces the side effect of the drug. Shodhana also impregnates organic materials and their properties into inorganic drugs to facilitate their utilization by the body. . Keywords: Pharmaceutical, Purification, Shodhana INTRODUCTION Rasa shastra is developed for achieving dhatu vada (transformation of lower metals into higher metals like gold and silver) and deha vada (transformation of the body to a healthy state by using mercury and other metals and minerals). Thus, Rasashastra became an important branch of Ayurveda that specialized in exploiting medicinal uses of metals, non-metals, minerals, and poisonous drugs with herbs. The metals and non- metals present in the universe are in various forms. They will differ depending on their hardness, impurities, availability, property, etc. These metals and minerals are not in an absorbable form, and few are toxic if consumed. Hence, they must be converted into an absorbable, safe form for clinical usage. Therefore, to achieve this goal, various transformative measures like Shodhana, Marana, Jarana, Satwapatana, Bhasmikarana etc., are adopted 1 . To achieve dehavada, Shodhana is the first and foremost technique (Shodhana samskara). Shodhana purifies both physical and chemical impurities. After the shodhana procedure, the drug is further subjected to various methods, such as Marana, etc., to attain the dehasiddhi. Hence to make use of these for therapeutic purposes, Shodhana is necessary. In the context of Rasashastra, the term ’Shodhana’ refers to the purification of metals, minerals or toxic substances that are to be used for therapeutic benefit. It can be classified into two major categories as samanya and vishesha Shodhana 2 . Samanya Shodhana (General) is a purificatory procedure for a group of drugs like Maharasa, Uparasa, Ratna, and Dhatu. E.g., for the samanya Shodhana of parada, bhavana with garlic paste and saindava lavana till it attains black colour and finally, the mixture is washed with water 3 . Vishesha Shodhana is a unique method carried out to purify individual drugs. Both the above procedures are further classified into Saagni and Niragni. Saagni Shodhana means it is performed by utilisation of fire. Eg. Nirvapa, Dhalana, Bharjana, Puta, Swedana, Patana etc. In Niragni Shodhana, there is no role of fire/heat. E.g., Bhavana, Prakshalana, Shoshana, Sinchana, Nimajjana, Gharshana etc. In this work, classical texts like Rasa Ratna Samuchaya (RRS), Rasa Tarangini (RT), Ayurveda prakasha (AP) etc., are referred for search for various methods of Shodhana procedures. They are presented in table form. Table [1-10] Instruments like dolayantra, swedani yantra, lohadarvi (iron spoon), and vanka nala are incorporated. Later they are again analysed based on the methods and ingredients used for Shodhana to bring a comprehensive picture of Shodhana of all Rasa dravyas.