Paper Details

The Ayurvedic system of medicine has great antiquity, dating back to about 5000 years B.C. Concept of Ayurveda crepts into the mind of creature much before the emergence of creation which can be well understood. The curiosity and advancement of mankind, single drug treatment was over ruled by multiple combinations containing numerous ingredients, containing minerals too. During the medieval period, with the advent of Rasashastra, use of certain heavy metals and minerals in Ayurvedic therapeutics increased. Before the evolution of Rasashastra, in ancient ayurvedic classics like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, references of some metals and minerals were found in various therapeutics. Out of them Gairika (Red Ochre), a mineral found very abundantly, affordable to all and safe drug which had been used in practices as single drug and in combination since ancient times. So here a humble attempt was made to collect and review references from Charaka Samhita regarding therapeutic potential of Gairika.

Gairika, Charaka Samhita, Rasashastra, Therapeutics.