Harital Vigyan (A Handbook of Analytical Validation of Arsenic Containing Ayurvedic Drug Harital)

The book 'Harital Vigyan' effectively validates the ancient protocols of bhasmikaran process of arsenic containing drug Harital. Extensive research work has been carried out for other arsenic containing Ayurvedic drugs like Rasamanikya, Malla sindoor, etc. But proper scientific information about Harital bhasma is very scarce and scanty in scientific media. Hence this book bridges the gap for future study in between comparative study of Harital, Harital bhasma and Rasamanikya. This book effectively covers the classical review as well as modern review of Harital. Analytical studies are carried out by modern instrumentations like XRD, EDAX, STA, SEM, etc. Hence this book can be healthy handbook for researchers for further study toxic minerals of arsenic origin in Ayurveda.

Dr. Dev Nath Singh Gautam is an eminent teacher of the ancient wisdom of Rasa-Shastra. Presently he is the Assistant Professor of Rasa-Shastra, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Science, R.G.S.C, Banaras Hindu University. He has been in teaching profession for more than 13 years. Dr. Gautam has published more than 35 papers in peer reviewed reputed international and national journals. He had successfully organized two National seminars and one International seminar in R.G.S.C, BHU. Apart from this book he has written two other books, "Ayurvediya Rasa-Shastra-Saral Addhayan" and "Commentary on Rasamritam"

Satadru Palbag is a worthy disciple of Dr. Dev Nath Singh Gautam. He was the top scorer of M.Pharm (Ay) entrance examination in the very first batch of M.Pharm (Ay) (2011-13 batch) of Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, B.H.U. He had successfully completed B.Pharmacy (Ayurveda) from Jadavpur University, Kolkata in 2011. He had received the University Gold medal from Jadavpur University; 2011. He also received the prestigious 'Meera Rani Mitra Memorial Gold Medal' from National council of Education and J.U., Kolkata, 2010. He also received ' B.N.Dey Memorial Scholarship', W.B., 2012. Presently he has 11 publication in peer reviewed reputed international and national journals.

Ayurvedic bhasmas are the calcined nano sized bio-compatible form of metal and mineral ash, which is formulated by subjecting the bio-incompatible ayurvedic mineral to high heat after purification and pounding in herbal drug extracts.

Ayurvedic bhasmas are perhaps the most controversial treasures of Ayurveda, it always remain in the lime light due to the ethics of use of toxic and heavy metals for the treatment of the diseased but still Ayurvedic herbal medicines are becoming increasingly popular as an effective and relatively alternative to synthetic drugs.

Which means with proper preparation a highly poisonous substance can become an excellent medicine. The toxic level of arsenic and arsenic compound is carefully manipulated with strict dosage form during administration.

In the present book, apart from ancient Parameters, Physico-Chemical analysis is carried out by using current analytical methodologies for scientific validation of arsenic containing Ayurvedic drug Harital(As2S3) and Harital(Calx form) bhasma.

Scientific documentation about Harital bhasma is very scarce hence this book will help as a standard guidelines to develop a scientific aptitude for arsenic containing Ayurvedic drug, Harital and Harital bhasma for the students who deal with the field of Rasashastra and material science as well as who deal with quality control and standardization of Ayurvedic drugs, specially bhasmas.

We have made my level best to collect and present the data regarding the concerned subject, but still if any scholar or students find any lacuna in this book, positive criticism will be obliged wholeheartedly.