In Ayurveda, Silver Bhasma (also known as Rajat Bhasma) is a fine, calcined powder made from purified silver. It is prepared through a traditional method that involves repeated processes of purification and incineration, using specific herbal juices and other substances. Silver Bhasma is considered a potent Ayurvedic formulation and is renowned for its rejuvenating and therapeutic properties.
Preparation As Per Medical Text Book
First Method— Cut a pure silver sheet and pure mercury, both 10-10 tola (1 tola = 11.66 grams, so 10 tola = 11660 mg), grind them in lemon juice. After the mercury is mixed, add 10 tola (11660 mg) of pure sulfur and mix thoroughly. Then, add 10 tola (11660 mg) of pure orpiment (harital) and make a smooth dough in the juice of turmeric. Once the dough is dried, add 10 tola (11660 mg) of orpiment in lemon juice and make a coating on top. Once the coating dries, close it tightly in a small pot and give it 5 ser (1 ser = 933 grams, so 5 ser = 4665000 mg) of fire with wood. Initially, don’t give strong fire from the wood. After the pot cools down, take out the silver and again add 1 more part of orpiment, knead it with lemon juice, and make a smooth dough. Then give 5 ser (4665000 mg) of fire again with wood by placing the dough inside the pot. Repeat this process by adding orpiment and giving 20-30 doses (pud) of fire. When it becomes light in color, at the end give it a large dose of fire in turmeric juice. According to many texts, only 3 doses (pud) are enough to make bhasma (ash), but pure bhasma cannot be made with just 3 doses.
Second method— As per the method written earlier, take 5 tolas (58,300 mg) of pure silver foil, 10 tolas (116,600 mg) of pure mercury, 20 tolas (233,200 mg) of pure sulfur, and 5 tolas (58,300 mg) of pure orpiment, and grind them together thoroughly. Then place this mixture in a glass container, and with the help of a sand bath, apply heat continuously for three days. In the end, the silver ash settles at the bottom, and Tal Sindoor (a reddish mercury preparation) is formed. Wash the silver ash collected at the bottom with water, then grind it with rose petals in a mortar and pestle, and blow it into 16-inch depressions. In this way, by giving 8 to 10 puffs (पुट) of rose petals (or 15 to 20 puffs), a high-quality pink-colored bhasma (ash) is formed.
Dosage and usage— Same as per the first method.
Third method— Take 36 tolas (419,760 mg) of pure silver and cut it into thin pieces. Then, in a ceramic bowl, mix the pieces with 20 tolas (233,200 mg) of sodium nitrate (Na2CO3) and place the bowl on a burning stove in an upright position, stirring with a wooden stick. Ensure no smoke is generated. In half an hour, the silver will turn into white ash. Then wash the ash 4-6 times with water, and add 3 tolas (34,980 mg) of orpiment (one-twelfth of the total weight), grind it with Aloe Vera juice and make small tablets. After drying, place the tablets in a strongly sealed crucible and apply 5 ser of fire. Repeatedly mix orpiment and apply 5 ser of fire in 10 puffs (पुट). Finally, grind it again with Aloe Vera juice and give it 3 heavy puffs of fire to obtain the highest quality bhasma (ash).
Explanation of Puffs (पुट):
“Puffs” or पुट in the context of Ayurvedic medicine and alchemical procedures refer to cycles of controlled heating. The substance being prepared (in this case, silver or other metals and minerals) is subjected to heat in a kiln or fire for a specific period, then cooled down. This cycle of heating and cooling is called a “put” or “puff.” The number of puffs (8 to 10, 15 to 20, or more) refers to how many times this process is repeated.
In alchemical procedures, repeated heating (puffs) helps purify or transform metals and minerals into their bhasma (ash) form, which is believed to have medicinal properties in Ayurvedic treatments.
Dosage and Usage— Same as per the first method.
Note— Silver can become blackened due to the acid of sulfur. Even this blackened silver can be converted into bhasma using the method mentioned above. However, bhasma made through contact with acid tends to be slightly inferior in quality.
Standard Dosage As Per Books
Dosage— From 3 to 1 ratti (1 ratti = 182 mg, so 3 ratti = 546 mg), give it 2 times a day with butter, cream, sugar, cow milk, Sitopaladi churna (powder), Nagkesar, seasonal fruits, Amla murabba, Triphala or other herbal combinations. With silver bhasma, it is beneficial to mix with Abhrak, Lauh, and other related bhasmas.
Therapeutic Uses To Cure Many Diseases
For diabetes— 1 ratti (182 mg) of silver bhasma, 1 ratti (182 mg) of Abhrak bhasma, 2 mash (1 mash = 970 mg, so 2 mash = 1940 mg) of ginger juice, and 4 mash (3880 mg) of honey.
For Pitta-dominant diabetes— 1 ratti (182 mg) of orpiment-processed silver bhasma, with cinnamon, cardamom, and bay leaf powder.
In tuberculosis fever— Silver bhasma processed with orpiment, with trikatu (a blend of three pungent spices) and honey.
In rheumatism— 1 ratti (182 mg) each of silver bhasma and Lauh bhasma, with 2 ratti (364 mg) of Peepal and 6 mash (5820 mg) of honey.
For relieving Vata— Silver bhasma with Abhrak bhasma, cardamom, Vasa bhasma, and honey.
For Pitta disorders— With Amla murabba.
For Tapa-Pitta disorder— With Triphala powder.
For fever, headaches, burning sensation, and Pitta-related diabetes— With cardamom, ghee, and sugar.
Note: For diabetes— 1 tola (11,660 mg) of Isabgol husk boiled in half a ser (466.5 grams) of cow milk to make kheer, mix one chhatak (60 grams) of sugar in it. Then give this kheer to the patient. Or, after mixing it with honey, cream, or butter, offer it with kheer on top. In 21 days, diabetes is cured. After urination, take food, or skip breakfast and only eat in the evening.
Also, give Roupya Bhasma (silver ash) with Shilajit mixed in it, followed by warm water or cold water.”
This bhasma (ash) cures eye diseases, tuberculosis, spleen-related diseases, Pitta-dominant cough, diabetes, jaundice, spleen enlargement, liver enlargement, weakness of bodily tissues, epilepsy, hysteria, and Vata-Pitta-dominant disorders. It purifies the kidneys, making them clean and strong.
If after an infection or gonorrhea the testicles or spermatic veins, or other channels, become constricted and cause impotence, then Roupya Bhasma (silver ash) is an excellent remedy.It increases life span, semen, strength, and radiance.”
Usage in Vata Diseases & More
Roupya Bhasma has a light digestive effect, is astringent and acidic in taste, cooling, purifying, nourishing, and binding. Due to its nourishing and calming qualities, it alleviates Vata aggravation. It is considered extremely effective in the chronic stages of conditions such as paralysis and hemiplegia. When Vata imbalance occurs in the blood vessels, it causes pain, constriction of blood vessels, thickening of the vessels, swelling inside and outside, and various Vata disorders like coldness, spasm, and tremors. The use of Roupya Bhasma is very beneficial in calming this Vata imbalance.
When Vata alone is aggravated, Roupya Bhasma is beneficial. However, if Vata imbalance is accompanied by the presence of toxins (Ama), then Yograj Guggulu is more beneficial than Roupya Bhasma. This distinction is of great importance in Ayurveda.
Just as copper (Tamra) has a clear effect on tuberculosis, spleen disorders, and other conditions related to the senses and tissues, Roupya Bhasma shows a calming effect on the kidneys, brain, nerves, and Vata-related disorders.
Excessive exertion, excessive talking, excessive wakefulness, excessive thinking, grief, and fear increase Vata and weaken the brain’s strength. As a result, symptoms like fatigue, fainting, dizziness, etc., occur, and Roupya Bhasmais highly beneficial for these conditions. It also helps in headaches and brain pain caused by these reasons. When the pain fluctuates in intensity, Roupya Bhasma is used. However, if Pitta is predominant or aggravated in such conditions, Mukta Pishti(pearl ash) should be used. In other words, for Vata-dominant issues, use Roupya, and for Pitta-dominant issues, use Mukta. If these symptoms are due to an increase in intracranial pressure (increased blood pressure), Shilajit is highly beneficial. Along with Shilajit, mild purgatives like Aramdhaadi Kwath should be given. The use of Roupya Bhasma calms the irritation in the nerves, which is beneficial in epilepsy, madness, and particularly in the acute stage of seizures. In hysteria in women, if Vata-dominant symptoms are predominant Roupya Bhasma calms them as well.
Vata-dominant and Vata-Pitta-dominant illness
In Vata-dominant and Vata-Pitta-dominant eye diseases, the consumption of Roupya Bhasma is beneficial. If due to injury, strain, excessive exertion, or overexposure to sunlight, there is a disturbance in vision, then for such patients, only Roupya Bhasma is a suitable remedy. In eye diseases, Roupya Bhasma prepared with Suvarna (gold), Gandhak (sulfur), and other herbs is more beneficial than Harital-processed Roupya Bhasma.
In conditions like tuberculosis, especially sperm-deficiency-related diseases, Vang Bhasma and Roupya Bhasma are two useful medicines. If sperm deficiency causes Vata imbalance, leading to swelling or pain in areas like the lower back and thighs, or there is severe pain and burning in the urinary and spermatic tracts, Roupya Bhasma is given. However, when there are symptoms of weakness or fatigue, Vang Bhasma is more beneficial. In tuberculosis caused by pathogens, Suvarna Bhasma is the best remedy. However, if there is burning all over the body, especially in the eyes and bladder, Roupya Bhasma is given initially to relieve the burning. Afterward, Suvarna Bhasma is beneficial, or a mixture of both can be given.
In Pitta, Vata, and Vata-Pitta-related hemorrhoids, Roupya Bhasma is used. Even when there is bleeding, Roupya Bhasma provides significant relief. If the hemorrhoidal masses have become large, they should first be removed surgically, then Roupya Bhasma should be given. In cases where there is pain or sharp throbbing in the rectum, Roupya Bhasma provides relief. If there is excessive burning and the skin has become dark, dull, and hardened, Gandhak Rasayana should be administered.
In Pitta-related stomach diseases, fever, frequent fainting, burning all over the body, mouth burns, dizziness, diarrhea, rapid breathing, excessive sweating, and throat irritation, Roupya Bhasma should be used. If there is a buildup of fluid in the stomach or ascites develops along with burning in the throat and an unusual condition in the blood vessels and other channels, Roupya Bhasma is helpful.
In sour bile disorders, Roupya Bhasma is also effective. If there is sour bile disease caused by disturbance in the stomach or digestive system and irritation has occurred in the nerves, Roupya Bhasma is beneficial. In this disorder, for some days the health remains stable, and after some time, it flares up again with full force. In such sour bile diseases, the use of Roupya Bhasma is beneficial. Additionally, if there is chronic pain due to digestive issues and sour bile disease, it can be alleviated with Roupya Bhasma. However, if there is extreme weakness and the senses become weak, Vang Bhasma should be used.
in Vata-dominant dry cough, Roupya Bhasma is beneficial. When there is pain in dry cough, irritation, and stiffness inside, and dryness in the skin, throat, and uvula (gland), as well as small ulcers and swelling in the throat, the consumption of Roupya Bhasma is helpful. In Pandu Roga (anemia), the blood cells inside the blood become deficient.
If the decrease in blood cells is due to injury, mental worry, or other reasons, or if there are Vata-dominant or Vata-Pitta-dominant symptoms, then consuming Roupya Bhasma is very beneficial for such anemia patients. If mental worry, grief, or other causes of Vata aggravation have caused loss of appetite, then consuming Roupya Bhasma is beneficial.
When digestion is weak due to Vata aggravation, and to regulate the functioning of Vata and improve digestion, Roupya Bhasma is useful. If the body’s components are gradually deteriorating, there is burning and pain in the affected organs, the skin in that area has turned black, fever persists, or complications of diseases like gonorrhea, diabetes, or other disorders arise with Vata or Pitta-Vata disturbances, then in such ulcerative diseases, consuming Roupya Bhasma is beneficial.
It can be given with small cardamom, Amla, Banshlochan, Amrita extract, and honey, or with Chopechini and other powders. If syphilis and gonorrhea have caused the contraction of the testicles and nearby nerves or other channels, leading to impotence, then consuming Roupya Bhasma relieves the contraction of the nerves, and blood and other essential tissues reach the testicles, curing impotence. Roupya Bhasma is also used for enhancing strength. When contraction of channels disrupts the proper flow of blood and other tissues, and the senses and external organs get fatigued with slight exertion, leading to weakness, Roupya Bhasma works excellently to remove fatigue. Roupya Bhasma is medhya (intellect-enhancing). It helps regulate Sadhaka Pitta, which is responsible for proper functioning of the intellect. When Sadhaka Pitta is imbalanced, it causes disorder in intellectual functions, and Roupya Bhasma helps in restoring balance. During postpartum fever, Roupya Bhasma is very useful. If the fever is moderate but there is body pain, delusion, and excessive symptoms of confusion, then giving Roupya Bhasma is beneficial.
Roupya Bhasma (Silver Ash) especially benefits Vata and Vata-Pitta mixed disorders, and works on tissues such as plasma, muscles, bones; and organs like the kidneys, brain, nervous system, eyes, muscles, lungs, digestive organs, reproductive organs, the mind, and intellect.
When Vata aggravates and enters the brain, causing dizziness, burning in the eyes, retraction of the pupils, or severe pain in the brain, Roupya Bhasma helps in such conditions. If pressing the eyes relieves the symptoms and there is no enlargement of the spleen or liver, then Roupya Bhasma mixed with Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Amla (Indian gooseberry), Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus), and bamboo silica should be given. This mixture, especially when given at the start of meals with ghee and honey, is particularly beneficial. In the second week of fever,
when there is severe inflammation, diarrhea may occur. Even if the fever is relieved, diarrhea sometimes persists. If proper care regarding diet and activities is not taken, excessive movement and overconsumption of food can weaken the body’s ability to retain stool, urine, and semen. The patient may pass 5-7 watery stools a day and need to urinate frequently. Semen also becomes thin and may pass along with the urine. For this condition, Roupya Bhasma combined with Ras Sindoor (a mercury preparation) and Gatavari Ghrita (Clarified butter made with Shatavari) should be given twice a day before meals to alleviate the symptoms. If the mother’s mental state is affected by shock when the newborn’s health deteriorates, causing hysteria, it manifests as crying, fear, shaking hands and feet, a pale face, indifference, staring without blinking, and lack of appetite. In such cases, giving Roupya Bhasma in a dose of 1 ratti (182 mg) three times a day with Brahmi syrup or Amla murabba helps to calm the condition.
