Practical Book of Rasa Shastra (Beneficial for Ayurvedic Students and Manufacturer of Ayurvedic Drugs)

Dr. Vimal Joshi completed M.D. (Ayu.) in the department of RS & BK in year 2006 from Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar. He has wide knowledge of making formulations and teaching the practical's of RS &BK to students. This book is written as per new syllabus of CCIM with the aim to clarify the practical concepts in the subject. Presently he is working as a Pharmacy superintendent at Pharmacy department of Gujarat Ayurved University, Jatnnagar.

Dr. M.R. Pandya completed M.D: (Ayurved) in RS & BK subject from Rajasthan University, Jaipur in year 1982. He has more than 30 years of teaching experience in RS & BK subject and has given practical knowledge of the subject to various students. He has 22 years N.S.S. activity as a programme officer at state and national level since 1985. At present, he is working as a lecturer in RS & BK Department at Government Ayurved College, Vadodara, Gujarat.

Dr. Charmi S. Mehta has done Ph.D. in the Subject of Kayachikitsa in year 2009 from Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar. She had also received gold medal in the subject during her postgraduation. Presently she is working as a resident medical officer at Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurved Chikitsalaya, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar.

I enjoyed the opportunity of giving through the Practical monograph' 'Practical Book of Rasa Shastra" Written by Dr. Vimal R. Joshi & Dr. Charmi S. Mehta a noted scholar and activist in the field of Rasa Shastra & Kayachikitsa. This book is an invaluable publication on the Practical work of Rasa Shastra which is most important branch of Ayurvedic System of Medicine. The monograph exhibits a rare / blend of Shastra and Science. It discusses all the practical's of Rasa Shastra which is more beneficial for Ayurvedic students and manufacturer of Ayurvedic drugs.

Rasa Shastra is a most important and popular branch of Ayurveda developed in medieval period i.e. 8th/9th conti A.D. and onwards. It deals with the knowledge related to Alchemy and Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics specially connected to the drugs of mineral origin with a view to remove poverty from the world in general. Rasa therapy also used for strengthen the body tissues and the organs of the mankind and also to prevent their ageing process.

It may also be noted here that development of/ pharmaceutical technology started from the time of Caraka Samhita as in this text a few important fundamentals of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics found referred to viz. "The Samskarohi Gunantardhanum is very very important. It means the new or altered properties may be induced in the drugs through the samskar (Pharmaceutical process or operation)" For this following procedure/factors may be responsible eg.

a. ray Sannikarsa (close-contact of drugs with diff. liquids)
b. Agnisannikarsa (contact of drugs with various type of heat/put)
c. Toyagni sannikarsa (contact of drugs with both liquids & heat)
d. Shauca (Purification / Detoxification)
e. Manthana/Mardana (Churning and Grinding Disintegration of particles)
f. Bhavana (Trituration/Grinding with the same of different types of liquids) extractives.

I feel immense pleasure to know that \ Dr. Vimal R. Joshi & Dr. Charmi S. Mehta \ Gujarat Ayurvedic University Jamnagar, Gujarat has written a book entitled 'Practical Book of Rasa-Shastra' which is great contribution in the field of Ayurveda and manufacturer of Ayruvedic drugs. This book shows the academic enthusiasm of Dr. Vimal R. Joshi & Dr. Charmi, S. Mehta who search out all the related literature of the subject and also write-down the scientific applied aspect of Rasa Shastra & Bhaisajya Kalpana.

Rasa Shastra & Bhaisajya Kalpana deals the shodhana & Samskar process in detail. Shodhana process are very benefical for the convert of heavy metal into nano partical and poisonous effect converted in to Amrita (Life saving drugs).

This book definitely full fills this requirement by providing literature in lucid form which will be easy to understand for reader & students for more clarity of the subject.

I pray "Lord Shiva" for the better future of Dr. Virnal R. Joshi & Dr. Charmi S. Mehta may they continue such creative activity in future also for the enhancement of Ayurvedic Knowledge.