Abstract

Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine, embraces within its fold the drugs of plant, animal and mineral origin, both single and compound formulations. Charak Samhita (1000 B.C.) is the authenticate text for medicine practice in Ayurvedic treatment. Mineral origin substances are mostly found associated with various impurities and toxic element hence they require some specific pharmaceutical techniques before their internal administration which are not elaborated in Charak Samhita except Ayaskriti method. So it is assumed in general that mineral origin substances were used at very few places and only for external application in Charak Samhita. In present study an overall review of mineral origin substances regarding their therapeutic application in the form of single and compound formulations in Charak samhita was done and it was observed that there are more than hundred references where these mineral origin substances were used in the treatment of various disorders through both external applications and internal administration. References of internal administration of metals and minerals like suvarna (gold), rajata (silver), tamra (copper), loha (iron), manis (gems and miner gems), makshika (pyrites), shilajit (black bitumen/mineral pitch), gandhak (sulphur), gairik (ochre), kankshi (alum), hartala (orpiment), manahshila (realagar), anjana (collyrium) were found justifying in depth knowledge of Acharya Charak in relation of application of metals and minerals in that period.

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