Standardization
of Brahmi Ghrita with
Special reference to Its Pharmaceutical Study
Research article
Yadav Kapil Deo1, Reddy KRC2*
1. Junior
Resident 2. Associate Professor
Department of Rasa Shastra, Faculty of Ayurveda IMS, BHU, Varanasi.
*Corresponding Author: Reddy KRC, Associate Professor, IMS,
BHU, Varanasi, India
Email: drkrcreddybhu@yahoo.co.in
Abstract
Brahmi Ghrita is a preparation of Brahmi (Bacopa monneri), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Kushtha (Sassurea lappa), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulos pluricalis) and Purana Ghrita. This
preparation is used for the treatment of Apasmara and prepared by Sneha Paka process
as mentioned in classical text books of Ayurveda.
Three samples of this Ghrita
were prepared and each sample of Brahmi Ghrita, containes Brahmi in Swarasa form as a
drava dravya. Kalka was prepared with fine powder of Vacha, Kushtha, Shankhapushpi and Brahmi by triturating with Brahmi Swarasa. Murchhana of Ghrita was done
as per procedure before using the Ghrita as Sneha dravya. By using all drugs, Brahmi Ghrita was prepared on mild heat
for three day and during the manufacturing process temperature as well as Siddhi lakashana
mentioned in Ayurveda was recorded.
Key words: Brahmi Ghrita, Sneha Paka, Murchhana
Introduction
Ayurveda is a science of
living being. It describes various diseases including Sharirik vyadhi (Somatic disorders), Manshik vyadhi (Psychological
disorders) and Manshik- Sharirikvyadhi
(Psycho-Somatic disorders). Both types of disorders are also interchangeable
and affect each
other. In Ayurveda, Manshika vyadhi is
described in the form of Unmada
and Apasmara. Unmada is
the disorder which occurs due to Budhhi Vibhram [1] and Apasmara is a type of disorder which occurs due to Smriti parivarsan [2].Various
single as well as compound formulations were described for the treatment of Apasmara. Brahmi Ghrita is an
important formulation for the treatment of Apasmara. Different classical text books of Ayurveda mentioned different compositions of Brahmi Ghrita. Hence in present thesis work a step
is made to evaluate best formula of Brahmi Ghrita, which can be prepared in large scale manufacturing.
For present Pharmaceutical Study of Brahmi Ghrita we followed reference of Charaka Samhita. Brahmi ghrita is prepared with Brahmi, Vacha, Kushtha, Shankhapushpi and Purana Ghrita [3] (Old ghee) which is indicated
for the treatment of Apasmara
and Graha
disorders.
Materials and
Methods
Fresh Brahmi plants were collected from
Ramanagar,Varanasi Distt (U.P). Vacha, Kushtha, Shankhapushpi
collected from local market of Varanasi and Go-Ghrita was procured from Jalan
shop (A Local Market of Varanasi). All procedures were done in the Department
of Rasa Shastra,
except preparation of Brahmi swarasa which was prepared in Ayurvedic Pharmacy, Institute
of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Then Brahmi Ghrita was prepared by Sneha paka process.
Murchhana of Ghrita
The purpose of Murchhna is remove its Daurgandh, Ama Dosh from the crude form of go Ghrita. Murchhana of Ghrita was done with Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Matulunga Swarasa [4](Detailes
about quantity of each ingredient is mentioned in table1). Amalaki, Vibhitaki,
Haritaki, Haridra, Musta are dried in sunlight till the material become
moisture less form then this material was made in to fine powder form. After that, fine powder of above
mentioned drugs were put in to kharal (Mortar) and appropriate quantity of
Matulunga swarasa (Fresh juice)
of Matulung was added. In order to start the process, the Ghrita is taken in to container and heated with mild
temperature, then kalka and water were
incorporated. Then the total mixture of material was processed over mild heat.
During the heating process material is stirred continuously in order to avoid
sticking of kalka to bottom of container and also
avoid burning of kalka. Each day three hours heating process
was done like this process was completed in three days. This murchhita ghrita was
used in preparation of Brahmi Ghrita.
Preparation of Brahmi Swarasa
Brahmi Swarasa was prepared in Ayurvedic Pharmacy, IMS, Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi. First of all whole parts
of fresh Brahmi
plant were collected and washed with fresh water to remove clay and larger
foreign material intact with plant material. Then with the help of sharp
cutting instrument Brahmi
plant material were cut in to small pieces. After cutting in to small pieces of
Brahmi
plant material, these small pieces of Brahmi were put in to End runner, plant material were crushed
and made into kalka (paste). This Kalka was taken into new cotton cloth and compressed, to obtain the
Brahmi Swarasa (juice).
Preparation of
Kalka Dravya
Brahmi, Vacha, Kushtha and Shankhapushpi were dried in sunlight. When all plant material
was dried, then fine powder of Brahmi, Vacha, Kushtha and Shankhapushpi is prepared
separately with the help of mortar and pestle. After that, all ingredients were
mixed with each other in khalva
yantra and
triturated with Brahmi Swarasa. In
this way Kalka (Paste) was prepared.
Preparation of Brahmi Ghrita
Brahmi Ghrita was prepared with Murchhita Ghrita. First of all Murchhita Ghrita was heated on mild heat, when Ghrita was
slightly warm then Brahmi Swarasa was
added into it and mixed thoroughly, during mixing of Swarasa heating process was
continued. Then Kalka dravya
was added. After adding the kalka dravya continuous stirring of whole material was done.
In first day whole material was heated up to
boiling for one
hour, after that heating process was stopped on first day. In second day
heating process was started again and heated for five hours after that, heating
process was again stopped. In third day heating process again started and
continued up to obtaining
Sneha siddhi lakashana like varti-vat Sneha kalka (wick-like
shape), sabdhino-agni nikshipto
(does not produce crackling sound on fire) etc. When Sneha siddhi lakashana5 was
obtained, then Ghrita
was filtered with the help of cotton cloth. This filtered Ghrita was known as Brahmi Ghrita. Thus Brahmi Ghrita was
prepared in three days of discontinuous heating 6. In this way three samples of Brahmi Ghrita was prepared. (Details about
quantity and temperature during pharmaceutical process mentioned in to table 3
and 4).
Observations
Initially 2.400 kg of Go- Ghrita (Cows
Ghee) was taken for Murchhana
process. After Murchhana process 2.250 kg of murchhita Ghrita was obtained. This 2.250 kg of Murchhita Ghrita was
used for preparation of Brahmi Ghrita. Brahmi Ghrita, was prepared in to three batches, so that 2.250 kg of Murchhita Ghrita was divided
in to three equal parts.0.750 kg of murchhita Ghrita was
used for each batch of Brahmi Ghrita and
0.420 Kg, 0.520 Kg and 0.44 kg of Brahmi Ghrita was obtained respectively. Total duration of
heating process required for preparation of Brahmi ghrita was 9.5, 10, 9.5 hours
respectively. Total quantity of raw materials used in Brahmi Ghrita was 3 liters
of Brahmi swarasa,
0.750 kg of Murchhita Ghrita and
120 mg of kalka dravya of Brahmi, Vacha, Kushtha and Shankhapushpi. Total quantity 1.385 kg of Brahmi Ghrita was
obtained in all three batches (details are mentioned in table 3).
Table 1: Showing
drugs used in Murchhana
of Ghrita
|
|
Ghrita |
Amla |
Vibhitaki |
Haritaki |
Nagkesar |
Haridra |
Matulung Swarasa |
Water |
|
Quantity |
2.400
kg |
100
gm |
100
gm |
100
gm |
100
gm |
100
gm |
100
gm |
----- |
|
Quantity
after drying/Squeezing |
----- |
90
gm (drying) |
83
gm (drying) |
78gm
(drying) |
87
gm (drying) |
84
gm (drying) |
60
ml Swarasa (Squeezing) |
------ |
|
Quantity
of powder |
------- |
85
gm |
80
gm |
70
gm |
80
gm |
78
gm |
----- |
----- |
|
Quantity
used |
2.400
kg |
38
gm |
38
gm |
38
gm |
38
gm |
38
gm |
38
gm |
9.12
liter |
Table 2: Showing
drugs used in Preparation of Brahmi Ghrita
|
|
Ghrita |
Brahmi |
Vacha |
Kushtha |
Shankhapushpi |
|
Quantity |
2.250
kg |
25
kg |
100gm |
100gm |
100gm |
|
Quantity
after Squeezing and drying |
-------- |
Swarasa 9 liter |
89
gm |
91
gm |
86
gm |
|
Quantity
of powder |
-------- |
-------- |
84
gm |
82
gm |
78
gm |
|
Quantity
used/Sample |
0.750
kg |
3liter
Swarasa, 48
gm (Kalka) |
24
gm |
24
gm |
24gm |
Table 3: Showing details about pharmaceutical process
of Brahmi Ghrita
|
Parameter |
Sample A |
Sample B |
Sample C |
|
Total
weight of Raw Material |
3
liter (Swarasa) + 0.870 gm (Ghrita +Kalka) |
3
liter (Swarasa) + 0.870 gm (Ghrita +Kalka) |
3
liter (Swarasa) + 0.870 gm (Ghrita +Kalka) |
|
Temperature Outside
the container
Temperature
inside the container |
225
0 C |
230
0 C |
245
0 C |
|
105
0 C |
107
0 C |
1030
C |
|
|
Temperature
of Kalka on 3rd day |
93
0 C |
940
C |
930
C |
|
Weight
of Brahmi Ghrita |
420
gm |
520
gm |
445
gm |
|
Weight
of Kalka dravya |
600
gm |
510
gm |
580
gm |
|
Total
duration of Agni |
9.5
hrs |
10
hrs |
9.5
hrs |
Table 4: Showing Break up of temperature
given for three samples in three days
|
Days |
Sample
A |
Sample
B |
Sample
C |
|
1st
day |
1.2
hrs |
1.2
hrs |
1.2
hrs |
|
2nd
day |
3.6
hrs |
3.6
hrs |
3.6
hrs |
|
3rd
day |
4.7
hrs |
4.7
hrs |
4.7
hrs |
Discussion
Murchhana of the Ghrita was done for the removal of Ama dosha whichinhibit lipid per oxidation and incorporated
antioxidant property for augmentation of medicinal properties of the
medicated Taila/Ghrita7,8.
Ama dosha may be
considered as unwanted component among the raw Ghrita, like intermediate
chemical constituents, dissolved gases, adulterants, plant toxins and moisture
present in raw ghrita
or developed due to long time storage. Murchhana helps
in maintaining the necessary ratio of unsaturated and saturated fats suitable
for human physiology. Kalka dravya was added after adding of Swarasa so that burning of kalka dravya will not
takes place and active constituents of drugs will be protected destroyed.
Kalka dravya used for preparation was made in to fine powder
so that maximum percentage of active constituents goes in to preparation. The
weight of kalka dravya after
preparation was increased and found 1690 gm. This increase the amount of kalka dravya due to
absorption of Ghrita
and dravya dravya used in
preparation. Weight of Brahmi ghrita was decreased
that of Puran Ghrita. From above it is clear that there was loss of
Ghrita due to absorption of Ghrita by the kalka dravya. Preparation
of Brahmi Ghrita was done on madhyam agni
(Medium temperature) at high temperature kalka dravya will get burned because all
liquid constituents will be evaporated early and no drava dravya was available for
preparation. Due to these ayurvedic
doctrines always advices to prepare ghrita preparation over medium temperature in order to
incorporate maximum therapeutic properties in Brahmi Ghrita. The Mridu paka is indicates presence of moisture [10]
in the Kalka (paste) of herbal drugs
and is diagnosed physically by touch and molding into spindle shape (Varti) [11],
it seems to be sticky in nature. In the Madhyam paka, no moisture [12] remained in Kalka and can be easily molded into
spindle shape, but in Khara paka, Esat-kathin appeared
in the Kalka [13]. Sneha Siddhi Lakshana like “Shabdasya uparame prapte”[14] suggests reduction
of water i.e. extent of moisture content. When water remains in the ghrita it
produces the cracking sound and this sound disappears gradually after reduction
of water. “Gandhavarna rasadinam sampatau” suggest that production of desired specific
characteristics of odor, colour, and taste because of
active constituents are transferred into the ghrita media. ‘Phenashanti’[15] and ‘Viphena
parichapalagata’, specifically for Ghrita suggest that there is no production of
any gases resultant into absence of
frothing. When kalka dravya of Sneha was put on
fire it does not produces any sound that indicate kalka dravya was devoid of moisture. If kalka produces
any sound, when it is put on fire that indicates that, kalka
is still having some quantity of moisture. When kalka dravya was put between two fingers and
roll it, then it attains varti
like shape that indicate proper sign of Sneha paka. During this stage the active component of kalka will
properly assimilate in the Ghee (Ghrita).
Conclusion
In
present research the formula of Brahmi Ghrita selected from the reference of Charaka Samhita. By
following this formula three samples of Brahmi Ghrita were prepared. The quantity of Ghee and others raw materials were taken
equally in all three samples (Sample-A, Sample-B, Sample-C) but the final yield
of the Brahmi Ghrita was
more in Sample-B. The total duration of the Temperature given to the container
is more i.e. 10 hrs in Sample-B resulting in to low quantity of kalka with comparing to other two samples. The
temperature observed within the kalka during the
stage of Siddhi lakshana
among all the three samples the Sample-B contains slight enhancement of
Temperature i.e. 94 0C. Since all the observations of three samples
(A, B, C) during the manufacturing process of Brahmi ghrita contains without much significant
variation. Hence the average values of three samples are to be considered as a
Pharmaceutical Standard Parameters of Brahmi Ghrita. This is also supported by further investigation
conducted for three samples (A, B, C) in experimental models for nootropic activity (Efficacy study), toxicity study and
analytical study by showing equally results in all the three samples.
References:
1.
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2.
Anantaram Sharma Susurta Samhita with Susrutvimarshni
Hindi commentary Uttar tantra 61/3 Surbharti Prakashana,
3.
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4.
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commentary of Bhaishajya Ratnawali,
Jwaradhikara/1285
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Hindi commentary Madhyam Khand 9/15 Chaukhambha Orientalia PublicationVaranasi..
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Hindi commentary Madhyam Khand 9/16 Chaukhambha Orientalia PublicationVaranasi..
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Sthana 31/12 Surbharti Prakashana, Varanasi.
.
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Sthana 31/13 Surbharti Prakashana, Varanasi.
*****