pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Aspect of Kupipakwa Rasayana.

1. Presented by :
Dr Saumya Gulati
Junior Resident III
Dept. of Rasa Shastra &Bhaishajya
Kalpana
Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS
BHU, Varanasi

2.  Introduction
 Evolution
 Specifications
 Classification
 Methodology
 Rationale behind Kanthastha / Talastha
 Different Kupipakwa preparations
 Therapeutics
 Advantages
 Market availability
 Discussion & conclusion

3. कू पी इति काचकू पी| +
+पक्वम् अग्नििाां पक्वां|
+रसस्य पारदस्य|
+अयिां स्थािम्|
कु प्याम् अग्नििाां पक्वां यद्रसायिां िि ्
कू पीपक्वरसायिम्।।
अल्पमात्रोपयोगित्वादरूचेरप्रसङग्तः। क्षिप्रमारोग्यदाययत्वादौषगिभ्योऽगिको रसः॥

4. 19th century -Rasatarangini-in Murrchana Chapter
17th century -Ayurveda Prakash- Rasasindoor/ Sindooranama
16th century- Rasendra Chintamani , under the concept of Murrchana
16th century – Rasakaumudi & Rasakalpa Yoga – Sindoornama
15th century – Rasachintamani – Rasaparthiva rasa, Rasaparpatika
13th century –RasaprakashSudhakara– Kachaghati & Sikata Yantra
Rasasindoor (Udayabhaskara ) Rasakarpura (Ghanasara Rasa)

5. Sagandha Nirgandha Antardhuma Bahirdhuma Sagni Niragni
Another classification of Murrchana
Gandhapishti Gandhabaddha
Gandhajirna
Rasagandhakajjali Dhatupishti
Rasendra chintamani-
2 & A.P (1/ 137)
Gandhaka
Jarana
Nirdhuma

6. SPECIFICATIONS
 It is a type of Murcchana of Parada.
 Rasa sindura is Sagandha, Sagni Murcchna of
parada.
 It can be prepared by both Bahirdhuma and
Antardhuma vidhi .
 Specific arrangement of heating in a specially
designed “Kachakupi” in Valuka Yantra.
 Apart from Kachkupi, egg shell or a funnel
can be used and in place of Valuka yantra ,
Ishtika yantra, Kacchapa yantra, Bhudhar
yantra can be used.
 Gradual increment in heating pattern.
 Sublimation process is taking place as
converting a solid directly into vapors and
condensing the vapors into solid state i;e
resolidification.
REFERENCES
R.P.Su – 3/ 10-14
Rasa.Chi- 1/85-92
Rasendra Chintamani- 2nd chapter
A.P- 1/397-398 ; 1/409-416; 1/426-427; 431-
435
R.T- 6/5-6 ;
R.T- 6 / 168-176
R.Y.Sa- 2 part
B.R- 35/11 ; 54/124-132; 38/13-15
R.Chandansu- Ut.Kh, vataroga Chi 284-
287
S.B.M.M- 5 Guccha
AFI- Part 1, second edition ( 10
kupipakwa preparations are given )

7. • Sagandha- Prepared with the use of Gandhaka e.g. Makaradhwaja, Rasa
sindura, etc.
• Nirgandha- Prepared without the use of Gandhaka e.g. Rasakarpura, Rasa
Pushpa
INGREDIENTS
• Antardhuma- is applied in the beginning and the vapors are not allowed to
escape e.g. Rasasindura etc
• Bahirdhuma -- is applied after burning of sulphur e.g. Vyadhiharana Rasa ,
Rasa Sindura, Shila sindura, Etc.
MANUFACTURING
METHOD
• Kanthastha- The finished product is deposited at the neck e.g.
Makaradhwaja, Rasa sindura
• Talastha- The product is obtained from the bottom of the Kupi e.g.
Sameerapannaga, Rasa, Swarna Vanga.
• Ubhayastha- Final products obtained from both the sites e.g.
Sameerapannaga Rasa, Hinguliya Manikya Rasa.
PLACE OF
FINISHED
PRODUCT

8. Poorva Karma
Pradhana Karma
Paschat Karma

9.  Collection of necessary
instruments.
 Kajjali preparation.
 Preparation of Kupi .
 Filling of Kajjali to Kupi.
 Placing Kupi in Valuka
Yantra.

10.  Preparation of Kupi -- Wrapping glass bottle with mud smeared cloth – 7
layers should be done.
 Filling of Kajjali to Kupi -- Fill 1/3rd part so that there should be free space
inside Kupi for melting and boiling of Kajjali and also for sublimation of compound
which is going to condensed and deposited in neck part .
 Placing Kupi in Valuka Yantra – Placed at the centre part of the Valuka
yantra so that to get uniform temperature .
Contd..

11.  Heating schedule
 Temperature recording
 Shalaka sanchalana
 Observation of fumes and flame
 Corking of Kupi mouth
(madanmudra/ Hatamudra )
 Swangasheeta

12. Heating pattern- Kramagni Paka
Contd..
Mrdu
agni
Madhyam
agni
Tivragni
General temperature pattern in EMF
for Kupi-Pakwa Preparations is given
below.
Mild ( Mrdu) -- 150°C – 250°C,
Moderate(Madhyam) –250°C – 450°C
Higher (Tivragni) -- 450°C-650°C
Preparation of Rasasindura (R.T)
 क्रमवृद्धवह्नियोगह्निपचेद्रसं
मृदुवह्निना च पूवं ह्नवबुधो ह्नियाममात्रम्|
 तीव्रवह्नियोगाह्निपचेद् ह्नियाममात्रम् |
DwigandhakaGirnaRasaSindura
ह्नसकतायन्त्त्रे त्वहोरात्रकम् |
TrigunagandhakaGirna Rasasindura
जीर्णगन्त्धे रसे जाते क्रमागतह्नदनक्रमैः ।
यामियं ॥
Shadguna Rasa sindura
वासरसप्तकं च ह्नवह्नधना ह्नसन्त्दुरकं चाहरेत्।

13.  Makardhwaja :
 पूवं यामियं -- पचेन्त्मृिह्नननना रसम्
 मध्यमानलयोगाच्च -- यामियं ।
 अवह्निष्टह्नियामच्च पुनस्तीव्राह्नननना पचेत्
 Sarvangasundara Rasa–
सुपचेदहोरात्रां
 Rasa pushpa:
यामद्वयम् |
 Rasa karpura
युगसंख्यकस्तु यामैः |
 Swarnavanga
चतुयाणमं |
 Sameerpanga Rasa:
यामाष्टेन
 Purna Chandrodaya Rasa
ह्नदवस्त्रयं
 Manikya Rasa
यामषोडिपयंतं
 Vyadhiharana Rasa
दीयते सुयणयामान्त्तं तदा ह्नसद्धो भवेद्रस:।
 Malla sindura / Shila Sindura
ियहं
 Tala sindura
षोडियाम
Contd..

14. Shalaka Sanchalana:
 Tapta shalaka- to burn extra sulphur deposited as neck part of kupi.
 Sheeta shalaka- to know the state of kajjali i.e. powder form /
melted / boiling / sublimation stage of product .
Observation of fumes and flame :
 Fumes – Colour-- Yellow / orange / bluish / white
Odour.-- Differs acc to ingredients -- like
sulphur & arsenic
 Flames – timing of appearance of flame, its colour and duration
should be noted .
Contd..

15. Corking of Kupi:
Before corking observe for following:
 Absence of fumes and flames
 Copper coin test .
 Sheeta shalaka test
 Appearance of redness at the bottom of Kupi ( Arunotpala prakasham ;
Tarunadityasannibham)
 Adherence of the silvery shine particles .
Contd..

16. Removal of Kupi from Valuka/ EMF
• Breaking of Kupi
Collection of product
• Examination of product
 Care should be taken –
sometimes kupi may break.
Breaking of Kupi
 Traditional method
 Scrap and remove the layers
of Kupi .
 A thread soaked in spirit
should be tied around the
middle of Kupi and ignited
 Kept horizontally, rotate the
Kupi to burn thread, then
wrap with wet cloth.

17. Collection of product
 Kanthasta / Talastha/ Ubhayastha
 Rasasindur, Malla sindur –
Kanthastha
 Swarna vanga – Talastha
 Makaradhwaja, hinguliya manikya
rasa- Ubhayastha
Rationale of Kantastha/ Talastha
collection of product .
 Process of sublimation occur in
Kupipakwa preparation.
 Parada and Gandhaka get sublimated at
the temperature provided during process
and get collected at the neck of the bottle.
 Metals having higher melting and boiling
points like Copper, tin, gold get deposited
at the bottom as in Swarna vanga, Tamra
sindura, Makardhwaja etc.
Contd..

18. Melting point / deg
celcius
Boiling point / deg
celcius
Mercury -38.89 356.7
Sulphur 115.21 444.6
Copper 1084 2562
Gold 1064.78 3243
Tin 449.47 2602
Arsenic trisulphide 310 707
Arsenic disulphide 307
Arsenic trioxide 312 465
There are four terms:
Latent heat of fusion : solid Liquid
Heat of vaporization : Liquid Gas
Chemical bonding
Heating pattern.

20. S.No Name of the
Preparation
Ingredients References
1) Rasa sindura Parada + Gandhaka R.T (6/162-167)
2) Hinguliya
rasasindura
Hingula + Gandhaka R.T (9/ 32-34)
3) Makardhwaja Parada + Gandhaka + Swarna
Rasasindura+ swarna bhasma + Loha
Bhasma+
R.T (6/238-244)
B.R (39/ 13-15)
4) Tala sindura Parada + Malla + Hartala +Gandhaka S.B.M.M. / Rasamrita
4/8
3) Malla Sindura Parada + Malla + Rasa karpura
+Gandhaka
R.Y.S -2 , 2390-2392
Pg.157
5) Shila sindura Parada +Manashila+ Gandhaka Rasamrita (4/14-15)
6) Sameerapanaga
Rasa
Parada + Malla + Hartala +
Manashila +Gandhaka
R.Chandansu . (Ut.Kh,
vataroga Chi 284-287)

21. 7) Rasapushpa Parada+ Kasisa+ Saindhava R.T (6/ 29-31)
8) Rasakarpura Parada+gandhkamla+ Saindhava R.T (6/ 65-71)
9) Manikya Rasa Hartala +Gandhaka+ Manashila+
Parada + Nagabhasma+
Tamrabhasma+ Abhraka bhasma+
Lauha Bhasma
R.Y.S –(2- 2543-
2549), B.R
Kustharogadhikara
10) Hinguloya Manikya
Rasa
Hingula + Hartala + Gandhaka R.T 9/50-53
11) Purna chandrodaya Swarna patra+ Parada + Gandhaka R.Chi (11/4-7)
12) Swarnavanga Parada + Vanga+ Navasadara
+Gandhaka
R.T (18/ 68-76)
13) Vyadhiharana Rasa Parada + Gandhaka + Rasakarpura Nighantu ratnakara ,
R. Y. Sa part 2- (3067-
3079), Vaidyak
chintamani
Contd..
256 Kupi pakwa Rasayanas mentioned by Sri Harisharanananda in his Grantha Kupi-
pakwa vijnaniyam.

22. Sakaleshaamyasyapi
Srotas Diseases
Pranavaha Rajyakshama , Shawasa roga, Shirakampa
Annavaha Gulma , Arsha , chardi , Paranamashoola , Ajirna , Udararoga
Rasavaha Jwara , Pandu, Shotha, Aamvata ,
Raktavaha Kushtha , Daha, Kamala, mukhapaka , Raktapradara
Meda vaha Prameha
Majja vaha Murccha
Shukravaha/ Artavaha Vajikarana, Asragdara, Pradara , Garbhashayagata roga, klebya
Mutravaha Prameha , Bastikundala , mutrakriccha., mutraghata
Purishavaha Bhagandara
Manovaha Unmada, Apasmara
RASA SINDURA
Yogavahi
Dose:
1 year aged Child- 1/16 Ratti
2 year aged Child – 1/7 Ratti
6 year aged Child – 1/3 Ratti
12 year aged Child- ½ Ratti
Above 12 years – 1 Ratti R.T -6/235-237

23. MAKARDHWAJA
Vajikarana
Rasayana
Kasa
Prameha
Antrashosha
Kshayaroga
Jathargni deepana
Smaranashakti vardhaka
Dose : ( Rasamrita 1/ 42-43)
It is mixed with lavanga: Jatiphala:
Kesara: (8:4:4) + karpura & Kasturi ( 1
tola each) – 3 Ratti
SWARNA VANGA
Shweta pradara
Shukrameha
Vranameha
Swapnadosha
Prameha
Kantimedha vardhaka
Viryaagni vardhaka
Swarna vanga can
be used in the
indications Vanga
bhasma . (R.T)
Dose :
1 to 2 Ratti
CHANDRODAYA RASA
Vajikarana
Dose : 2 – 3 Ratti

24.  TALA SINDURA
Vatakaphaja roga.
Dose : ½ to 1 Ratti.
 MALLA SINDURA
Vatakaphaja roga
Shwasa/ Kasa
Dose : ½ to 1 Ratti
 SHILA SINDURA
Vatakaphaja roga.
Dose : ½ to 1 Ratti.
SAMEERPANGA RASA
Vataroga
Unmada
Sandhiroga
Kaphaja roga
Shawsa roga
Dose :
1 Ratti with Nagavalli
patra swarasa.

25. RASAPUSHPA RASAKARPURA
Contd…
Phiranga
Visuchika
Hikka
Krimi
Jalodara
Dose: (R.T 44-46)
For internal administration- ½ - 2 ½ Ratti
For Virechana – 2 ½ Ratti
Hikka – 1/8 Ratti
Phiranga – 1/4 Ratti
In infants as purgative- 1/2 Ratti
CONFIRMATORY TEST
Take an iron pan– pour a
water drop over it– then
sprinkle pinch of
Rasapushpa- remove the
water after sometime– if
no blackish
discolouration– pure
Rasapushpa
Krimighna
Aruchi
Atisara
Pravahika
Mandala kushtha
Phiranga
Vrana
Agnimandya
Dose : (R.T 6/ 76 -78)
1/64- 1/32 Ratti
For internal administration – Rasakarpura
+ Navsadara( 5 ratti each) mix in 60 Tola cold
water – 30 to 60 drops should be used.
Rasakarpura
Drava
Subchloride
of mercury
Per chloride
of mercury

26. VYADHIHARANA RASAMANIKYA RASA
Kustha
Vatarakta
Sheetapitta
Hikka
Jwara
Vataroga
Pandu/ kamala
Kandu
Prameha
Dose:
(B.R) –2 Ratti
R.Y Sa- ½ Ratti
Phiranga
Sandhivata
Kushtha
Nadivrana
Upadansha
Mukhavrana
Vrikkashotha
Vrashanshotha
Dose :
½ - 1 Ratti

27. PURNA CHANDRODAYA . ( R.T.S - S.P.P )
(Vishesha )
 Ashta samskarita Parada- 20 Tola
 Shuddha gandhaka- 2000 tola
 Swarna bhasma – 2 tola
 Abhraka Satva- 5 tola
 Swarna makshika Satva- 5 tola
100 times Gandhaka Jarana.
It took 2 years for completion of whole process.
Dose : ¼ to 1 Ratti
(twice daily )
Indications :
Contd..
Hrdya Dhatukshya
Balya Shwasa
Rasayana Kasa
Raktaprasadaka Mandagni
Jantughna Apasmara
Rajyakshama Jirnajwara
Talastha
PURNA CHANDRODAYA
(Samanya )
Bubhukshita Parada- 16 Tola
Shuddha gandhaka- 32tola
Swarna varka – 2 tola
Uses: same as of Purna chandrodaya
Dose: 1 to 3 Ratti; (twice daily)
as Hrdya : ½ to 1 Ratti ( 2 to 3
times a day )
Kanthastha

34. PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN MARKET

35.  Kupipakwa Rasayanas are the pharmaceutical preparation obtained by sublimation of
Parada , Gandhaka and other metals, requiring specific heating pattern in a specific
arrangement.
 The heating pattern is gradual increment of heat in a controlled manner for a particular
time duration as described in the classical texts.
 The reason behind this heating pattern might be the desired compound formation.
 The mercury, sulphur and arsenicals due to their low melting point, less latent of fusion
and heat of vaporization, are deposited at the neck of the Kupi, while metals such as
copper, Tin, gold remain at bottom of the kupi.
 The chemical bonding between the atoms of a metal is strong, hence require large
amount of energy to melt and boil, except mercury.
 Sometimes Kalmi sora (KNO3 ) is added in the preparations like Swarna vanga
because it enchances the oxidation thus the desirble product can be obtained.

36.  Several research articles have been published on characterisation of Kupi-Pakwa
preparations , specially Rasa sindura .
 Cinical trails are still lacking to be published to propagate the effectiveness of such
miraculous drugs worldwide.
 But the Kupipakwa Rasayanas are being successfully used by many Ayurvedic physicians
to treat Vatavyadhis , Shwasa rogas, degenerative disorders, geriatrics, as aphrodisiacs ,
malignancies etc.
 Many vaidyas add Rasa sindura in most of their prescriptions claiming to enhance the
efficacy of other drugs.
 There is a lot to be explored in this arena of Kupi- pakwa preparation.
 More and more double blind randomized clinical trails to be done to proof their
effectiveness and for that good quality medicines should be available in the market.
Contd..

37.  Sharma S., Rasatarangini, Hindi commentary by Shastri K. N., Motilal Banarasidas, Delhi, 2000.
 Anonymous. Rasatantrasara Va Siddha Prayoga Samgraha. Ajmer: Krishna Gopal Ayurved Bhavan;
2006.
 Madhava Upadhyaya, Ayurveda Prakash, 1/137, Arthavabodhini Sanskrit commentary,
Suspashtavabodhini hindi commentary by Gururaj Sharma Mishra, Reprint ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha
Bharti Academy;2007.
 Dhunduknath, Rasendra Chintamani, Siddhiprada hindi commentary by Siddhi Nandan Mishra, Reprint
ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia Publication Prayogika; 2006. 8/21, p. 112.
 Joshi D. Mercury in Indian Medicine, Studies in History of Medicine. 1979. p. 242.
 Singh SK, Chaudhary A, Rai DK, Rai SB. Preparation and characterization of a mercury based Indian
traditional drug—Ras-Sindoor.
 Ramanan N, Lahiri D, Rajput P, Varma RC, Arun A, Muraleedharan TS, Pandey KK, Maiti N, Jha SN,
Sharma SM. Investigating structural aspects to understand the putative/claimed non-toxicity of the Hg-
based Ayurvedic drug Rasasindura using XAFS. Journal of synchrotron radiation. 2015 Sep
1;22(5):1233-41.
 Saba K, Rajnala N, Veeraiah P, Tiwari V, Rana RK, Lakhotia SC, Patel AB. Energetics of excitatory and
inhibitory neurotransmission in aluminum chloride model of Alzheimer’s disease: reversal of behavioral
and metabolic deficits by Rasa Sindoor. Frontiers in molecular neuroscience. 2017 Oct 17;10:323.

38.  Mashru M, Galib R, Shukla VJ, Ravishankar B, Prajapati PK. Effect of Sameera
Pannaga Rasa (arsenomercurial formulation) in the management of Tamaka Shwasa
(bronchial asthma)-Randomized double blind clinical study. Ayu. 2013
Oct;34(4):346.
 Dwivedi V, Tripathi BK, Mutsuddi M, Lakhotia SC. Ayurvedic Amalaki Rasayana
and Rasa-Sindoor suppress neurodegeneration in fly models of Huntington’s and
Alzheimer’s diseases. Curr. Sci. 2013 Dec 25;104:1711-23
 Sarkar PK, Mehta NJ, Prajapati PK. Chemistry of Kupipakwa Rasayanas–A
Review. Ancient science of life. 2008 Apr;27(4):56.
 Begum G, Hamid K, Choudhuri MS. TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECT OF
MALLASINDURA (MSL) ON LIVER FUNCTION PARAMETERS OF RAT
PLASMAAFTER CHRONIC ADMINISTRATION. International Journal of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2015 May 1;6(5):1958-64.
Contd..