Garudapacha: A Rare Mineral Used in Ayurveda Formulations

Introduction

The medicaments used in Ayurvedic therapeutics constitute one of the important pillars along with other three pillars namely doctor, patient and attendant.¹ It is said that, there is not a single substance on this earth which does not have potential to be used as a drug, provided it is used judiciously by the physician.² Usually the raw materials used in medicaments are of Jangama (animal origin), Sthavara (plant origin), and Oudbidha (metals and minerals).^3,4

The art of converting and compounding these substances to formulate a medicine is dealt in detail in specialized branch of Ayurveda called Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana (Ayurveda Pharmaceutics). The formulations containing metals and minerals are dealt in Rasashastra. Parada (Mercury) is important among them. Other minerals and metals are categorized into different groups namely Maharasa, Uparasa, Sadharana Rasa, Ratna, Uparatna, Dhatuvarga, Sudhavarga, Vishavarga and Sikatavarga. ^5-7 Although there is a variation in pattern of classification as well as inclusion of a particular mineral or metal in a particular class, it has a specific applicability based on the utility of these minerals with mercury.⁸ For the purpose of this manuscript, the classification followed in undergraduate syllabus of Ayurveda has been considered (Table 1).

The detailed explanation about identification features, important synonyms, purification procedures (Shod-hana), methods of incineration (Marana), pharmaco-logical properties (Guna karma), therapeutic application (Amayikaprayoga) and the dose (Matra) are available for these drugs.

Garudapacha

This is a mineral drug used in Ayurveda formulations of Kerala. It is not enlisted in any of the categories shown in Table 1. The reference of this drug is not available in ancient Samhita of Ayurveda or in authentic books of Rasashastra. In Nighantu period also, there is no mentioning of this drug. Garudapacha is a mineral stone that can be used as medicine individually and also in combination with other ingredients to make a formulation. The references of this mineral raw drug are available in Ayurveda books of Malayalam and Tamil books of Siddha system of Medicine^.9,10 So it can be understood that, it is used in southern parts of India, especially in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Synonyms of Garudapacha

It is called as Veluthagarudapacha, Palgarudapacha in Malayalam language. It is called as Palgarudakallu, Palgaruda, Garudakallu in Tamil. As per Malayalam authors, the name Garudpaccha is attributed to this mineral because of its Vishahara (anti-toxic) property. Velutha and pal are used to denote its milky white colour and kallu denotes stony nature.

Description of Garudapacha

It is pertinent to note that based on the references of Sahasrayoga, Marmanigulika is mentioned in Ayurvedic formulary of India. In this context, Garudapacha is mentioned as a white coloured mineral.¹¹ Apart from this, there is no other information available on this raw drug. Preliminary studies on this mineral have suggested that it is carbonate of magnesium (magnesite).¹² It is to be noted that, few scholars consider Garudapacha as a herbal drug which is identified as Sellaginella rupestris.^13-14

Pharmaceutical Processing of Garudapacha

The metal and minerals are originated from earth and thus the probability of mixing of impurities, toxicity and unwanted substances is higher.¹⁵ Therefore they have to processed using suitable methods which vary from drug to drug; Shodhana and Marana are most common procedures adopted in most cases which makes them nontoxic and biocompatible.¹⁶ As per the Ayurveda and Siddha literatures, Garudapacha also requires the Shodhana and Marana before using in therapeutics.

As per one reference, Garudapacha can be purified by soaking the drug in juice of Kumari (Aloe vera) in which Haritaki churna (Terminalia chebula) is mixed.¹⁷ There is another method of boiling it with juice of Kumari (Aloe vera) for 30 nazhika (12 hours).¹⁸ However, the quantity of Kumari swarasa or Haritaki churna or soaking time and such other details are not specified in these scripts.

In the first reference, the Marana is specified along with Shodhana. After Shodhana, the mineral has to be powdered well, added with sufficient quantity of swarasa of rhizhomes of injipullu (Cymbopogon citratus) and triturated. After the mass becomes fine paste, Chakrika (pellets) are to be prepared and dried under shade. Then the dried Chakrika are to be placed in Sharavasamputa (earthen crucibles) and subjected to Gajaputa. ¹⁷ The number of Puta is not specified in this context. So, one has to understand that only one puta may be sufficient to get the Bhasma from Garudapacha. However, the Bhasma can be subjected to classical pareeksha and an appropriate decision can be taken to repeat the procedure of puta.

According to another reference, one part of Garudapacha should be mixed with one part each of palm jaggery and Suryakshara (Potassium nitrate). Bhavana is given with rain water and Gajaputa is given. The product obtained is triturated with Arka ksheera and subjected to Gajaputa. The procedure is repeated for 41 times. Red coloured bhasma is obtained. Further the bhavana is given with Bringaraja Swarasa (eclipta alba) and Gajaputa is given. This procedure is repeated for 11 times. The final product obtained will be Aruna varna (Red) and hence is also termed as ‘Garudapacha sindura’.¹⁹

Therapeutic Utility of Garudapacha

The Bhasma of Garudapacha can be used directly in the disease conditions like Asthisrava (leukorrhea), Netraroga (eye disorders), Asthishosha (osteoporosis) and Mutrakrichra (dysuria).^17,20 It can also be used to prepare the formulations enlisted in Table 2. The indications vary depending upon the formulation.

Discussion

Garudapacha or variants or types of this particular mineral are not included in any of the groups like Maharasa, Uparasa (Table 1). If the history of Rasashastra is carefully analyzed, all the metals and minerals which are in these groups are not from same period or region. The references are also not found in single treatise. The collective information of all the metals and minerals are available together only in compiled books of Rasashastra. For example, the references of Gandhaka are available in Samhita period where as Agnijara is mentioned in Rasarnava, an 8th century treatise.^21-22 A separate group named as Uparatna is quoted in Rasatarangini and Ayurveda prakasha, the books written after 18th Century.23-24 The metal zinc (Yashada) is widely used in therapeutics, the references of which are available after Adhamalla (14th Century).²⁵ It is noteworthy to remember addition of Sikatavarga as a separate group in recent years.²⁶

There are descriptions of many drugs in Samhitas and Nighantus. A few drugs were introduced in India by invaders. Such undocumented or unexplored drugs are known as Anukta Dravya (extra pharmacopeial drugs).²⁷ Government of India constituted Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia committee in 1962, to work on the preparation of monographs which gives a clear picture on standards like identity, quality, purity, safety, and efficacy profile of different drugs. The researchers are supposed to follow the same methodology to evaluate extra- pharmacopeial drugs.²⁸ Similarly, there are 21 monographs of metals and minerals added in Ayurveda pharmacopeia.₂₉ Different physical, chemical, optical properties and methods of instrumental analysis that must be adopted for mineral drugs are also specified.³⁰

Garudapacha is a raw drug used in few Ayurveda formulations. Based on the references of Marmani Gutika, it is considered as a white coloured stone similar to chalk. The available literature suggests that it is called Garudapacha, because of its ability to treat poisoning just like Garuda which is considered enemy of cobra. Among seven formulations of Garudapacha collected so far (Table 2), two formulations are exclusively mentioned for all types of Visha. Review on available literature about Garudapacha has collected two different references of Shodhana as well as Marana. Attempts for collection of the sample from drug vendors of Kerala could result in an amorphous lump of white colored stone (Figure 1). Further, physical properties of this mineral have been recorded (Table 3) and identified as Magnesite (Magnesium carbonate).

Pharmacological studies suggest that the word “Magnesia” is used to denote group of magnesium salts including Magnesite. It was used as a laxative and antitoxic. It is useful in premenstrual syndrome, osteoporosis and eclampsia.³¹ Traditional practitioners of Kerala used this stone for the treatment of poisons based on which it is named so. There is a difference in opinion among the scholars who consider it as a herbal drug ‘Selaginella rupestris Spring’. Traditional practitioners of Kerala also consider it as ‘Sanjeevini’, a plant that was referred in Ramayana.^32,33 This plant is useful in skin diseases, snake poisoning, traumatic edema and general debility.

However, these details are scattered and are not known to Ayurveda academia or scientific community. So the parameters specified in establishing its identity in similar lines with standard procedures specified in Ayurveda pharmacopeia can be adopted for this mineral drug.

Conclusion

Garudapacha is an extra pharmacopeial mineral drug used as an ingredient in many Ayurvedic formulations. The references of use of this mineral as a single drug or in combinations is found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Preliminary studies have identified this mineral as carbonate of magnesium. Literature studies done so far have revealed seven formulations containing Garudapacha as one of the ingredients. Scientific studies to establish the physical, chemical, optical properties of this mineral are the need of the hour.

Conflict of interest

None